For generations, small local shops have been the beating heart of Italian towns—places where trust was built between shopkeepers and customers, and quality always came first. Minimarket in Palermo not only embraces this tradition but also hides a secret: the first secret listening bar in Southern Italy.
The First Speakeasy in Southern Italy
The idea was born from the passion of Daniel, Greta, and Priscilla Bellavista, three siblings with a love for international speakeasies who wanted to bring that experience home to Palermo. “Trends come and go in this city, and one venue quickly replaces another. Investing outside your comfort zone is a risk—especially if you’re not in Milan. But with the experience of Locale (our family restaurant), we believe that if you make a place truly unique, it can stand the test of time,” they explain.
Thanks to this bold vision, anyone strolling through Piazza Rivoluzione in Palermo’s historic center might stumble upon a tiny shop with a glowing “Minimarket” sign. But what lies behind the counter is something completely unexpected.
Gaining Access to Minimarket Palermo
Like any proper speakeasy, entry is by password only—whisper it at the checkout, and the doors to a whole new world open. Once inside, guests are welcomed into a warm, modern space divided into three areas: a cocktail bar, a relaxation lounge, and a listening room.
Designed by architect Vito Priolo, the interiors blend aesthetics, natural elements, and clever visual effects with mirrors and lighting tricks that enhance the space.
The Cocktail Bar & Relaxation Lounge
The cocktail bar is a sleek, contemporary space with mirrored walls, an anthracite-colored stone bar, and a shopping cart-turned-cocktail station. Guests can sip their drinks perched on high stools at sleek counter tables before making their way through a narrow corridor that leads to the relaxation lounge—and from there, to the venue’s beating heart: the listening room.
A high-fidelity sound system turns this space into a true listening bar, where music and fine drinking come together for an immersive experience. The concept takes inspiration from Japan’s Jazz Kissa bars of the 1950s, where music was the undisputed star of the show.
“We believe it’s time for Palermo’s nightlife to catch up with the international scene,” say the Bellavista siblings. “Our Minimarket, which still sells everyday essentials, is a gateway to a parallel world—one that exists outside of time and space. The only requirement here? To disconnect and enjoy the moment, free from clocks, schedules, and stress.”
A Drink List Disguised as a Shopping Flyer
One of Minimarket’s quirks is its drink list, which is cleverly designed to look like a grocery shopping flyer. Each cocktail is named after a common pantry item, turning the concept of a shopping list into a playful mixology experience, crafted by head bartender Francesco Di Verde, working alongside mixologist Umberto Cangelosi
Olio Nuovo is a savory mix of vodka, olives, and vermouth. Lime & Pepe Rosa is inspired by the flavors of salt & pepper potato chips. This blend of blanco tequila, pink pepper, agave, citric acid, and lime is a tangy, refreshing take on a classic. Biscotti, a dessert-like cocktail, features rum, vanilla, chocolate, biscuit, and cocoa for an indulgent, nostalgic sip.
A Culinary Clash of Generations
The food menu is just as inspired, merging the refined expertise of executive chef Lorenzo Muratore with the bold, globe-trotting creativity of young chef Alberto Ferrara. Local ingredients take center stage, enhanced by Asian cooking techniques for a fusion of tradition and innovation.
At Minimarket Palermo, every detail—from the drinks to the music to the food—tells a story, blending old and new, local and global, classic and contemporary into one unforgettable experience.
Images courtesy Minimarket Palermo
