The numbers flicker on the display like the old station departure boards. That’s how things work at Ritorno: on select nights, cocktail prices set the tempo, rising and falling based on customer choices. Nestled in the historic centre of Acerra, inside a restored period building, the new venue by Vincenzo Pagliara and his partners has become the beating heart of the city’s social scene in less than a year.
By redefining traditions and capturing the essence of an authentic neighbourhood bar — one that stands for quality, substance, and attracts guests from across the metropolitan area — Ritorno has carved out a distinctive identity.
Vincenzo Pagliara Redefines the Modern Aperitivo
Its spirit comes alive especially during post-office hours, when on Fridays — and sometimes twice a week — Pagliara’s bar redefines the modern aperitivo. Prices of cocktails begin to fluctuate on a large screen, mirroring a kind of stock exchange of taste.
At any given moment, a Negroni might drop to €5, while an Americano could rise to €7, shifting with the flow of the evening. “This is just one of the fun ways we engage our guests,” explains Pagliara. “The more a drink is ordered, the higher its price climbs, while less popular choices become more affordable. This ensures a lively and inclusive experience without compromising on quality, allowing guests to take an active role in the evening rather than simply witnessing a promotional gimmick.”
Experience as a Focus
Ritorno’s philosophy reflects a deep understanding of social dynamics, where experience itself becomes the true added value of a night out. But there’s more to it than just dynamic pricing. This is a place that thrives on fluidity, seamlessly transitioning through different rhythms over the course of the day. From 5:00 to 7:30 PM, the venue’s monumental 18-metre peninsula bar — a true masterpiece of functional design that extends through a 40-square-metre space enclosed almost entirely in glass — takes centre stage in a daily metamorphosis that redefines the very concept of aperitivo. Designed to put the bar experience in the spotlight, the counter serves as an open workspace, reminiscent of a chef’s table.
Here, food is prepared and served on one side, cocktails on the other. “With the chef’s involvement, the aperitivo becomes a vibrant moment of conviviality and interaction among guests — far from the passive experience of simply ordering at a table. Dishes are made fresh to order, and on certain days, we even serve pasta,” says Pagliara. It’s a live cooking show, highlighting the freshness and craftsmanship of the ingredients. “We wanted to break away from the static nature of traditional tastings,” he continues, “where people arrive, sit, order, and leave. Here, movement is part of the experience.”
A Drink List that Takes You Around the World
The same principle applies to the drink list, crafted at two distinct stations along the counter. Designed as a true atlas of taste, the menu takes guests on a journey across the world. It begins in the bustling Connaught Place of New Delhi, where the Delhi Market cocktail masterfully blends gin and whisky to the rhythm of masala chai drops, and winds its way to the romantic streets of the Marais in Paris, where the Bohemè conjures the atmosphere of historic cafés with its notes of anise, almond, wild fennel, and tequila.
Coffee Cocktail
But at Ritorno, even coffee — an essential pillar of Italian bar culture — takes on an entirely new dimension at aperitivo hour. The morning coffee bar, which showcases a curated selection of specialty coffees from small producers, transforms in the evening into a creative lineup of five Coffee Cocktails, each a celebration of creativity. From the sophisticated Ritorno Martini, a refined blend of vodka, cold brew, and arabica coffee grounds, to the seductive Coffee Cobbler, where rum and red berries intertwine in a captivating play of flavours.
Ideal atmosphere at all hours for true social hub
“In smaller towns, where tourism isn’t a certainty, Ritorno has inspired locals to go out,” explains Pagliara, “thanks to a concept that goes beyond the menu.” This vision is fully realised on Sundays, when the venue extends its reach, both within and beyond its walls, embodying its true spirit. From 11 AM onwards, aperitivo blends with brunch, unfolding into a crescendo of offerings and events, some of which take place in the adjacent amphitheatre, turning the entire space into a true social hub. The buffet expands to feature thirty different culinary selections, while a DJ set, jugglers, or stilt walkers set the perfect scene for a day of relaxation, connection, and fun.
This experience naturally becomes a moment of shared enjoyment, where families, couples, groups of friends, and young professionals each find their place, shaping a social mosaic that perfectly embodies the venue’s inclusive vision. “This is a living, authentic space, where people come together and reconnect,” says Pagliara, closing that virtuous circle where every visit feels like both a return and a new beginning.
The article first appeared on Coqtail – for fine drinkers. Order your copy here
Images credits Alberto Blasetti x Coqtail – all rights reserved
