In Puglia, there’s a bar where it still feels like the 1960s

by Serena Curto

Travelling through time is a dream we have all had at least once in our lives. However, it is comforting to know that, in a way, we can do so through flavours, music, fashion, and stories. This is exactly what happens in a small town in Puglia, Carovigno, in the province of Brindisi, where there is a bar where time seems to have stopped in the 1960s. This is Picci Bar, opened four years ago by Pierangelo Oliva, a meeting point for those who love good drinks, good music, and experiencing the community in its entirety.

The idea of the political bar

The inspiration for Picci was born in 2018, when Pierangelo permanently closed Torre Regina Giovanna, a place that had made history in the region with its major musical and cultural events. It was from here that the idea arose to create a political bar, taking advantage of the unique location of the venue, situated above the old Communist Party headquarters in Carovigno. A fusion of history, design, and social spirit makes Picci Bar a one-of-a-kind place.

A journey through the 1950s and 1960s

With over twenty-five years of experience collecting vintage design elements for Torre Regina Giovanna, Pierangelo brought the same attention to detail to Picci Bar. The space is furnished with original pieces from those decades: wall-mounted telephones, jukeboxes, fridges, and vintage signs. Enamelled liquor tins from the era, counters, and furnishings recreate an atmosphere from times gone by. The result is a step back in time, allowing visitors to relive the beauty of the simplicity of old-fashioned bars.

The Brindisi-based venue revolves around tapas, made with typical local ingredients: frise with cherry tomatoes, artisanal cured meats, orecchiette with cacioricotta, seasonal vegetables, cheeses from the nearby Lanzellotti dairy, and homemade frittatas. Additionally, there are Bari-style focaccias made with ancient grains, pinse, and stuffed sandwiches. However, it is also a traditional-style vermuteria, boasting eighty vermouth labels, alongside classic cocktails, bottled wines, and wine by the glass.

Music and culture on the calendar

Picci Bar is not merely a place for food and drink. More than anything, it is a true cultural centre that, from spring through to early autumn, hosts live music events, art exhibitions, photography showcases, and jazz festivals. While in winter, Picci opens its doors only on Sunday mornings for a convivial aperitif, from April to October it becomes a real social hub for the town, offering a retro atmosphere from the afternoon until late at night.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 39 - Carovigno - Tel - +39 3319832378 https://www.instagram.com/picci_bar/