11728 Community Bars

In Umbria (possibly elsewhere as well) there are community bars in small villages that are run by the community and as a result are quite cheap. I read an article about them somewhere last year and would like to know a bit more about them. Can anyone shed any light on them and how they function.

Thanks

Category
Food & Drink

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 07:32

I believe they are known as a Circolo and because they are run by and supposedly for the benefit of "members" enjoy lower taxation rates. This is maybe why the can sell at lower prices than Bars.

My locals (we have 2 circoli near us) tell me that they should only serve members who need to be issued with a tessera (card). But, as with most things in this glorious country, they is what is supposed to happen and reality:smile:

I'm sure there is more to "it" than that, and that someone will fill in the gaps.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 13:08

These are usually Bar Circoli or Sportivi under the [B]ACLI[/B] umbrella. A little bit like co-ops, but for relaxation. I could only find details in Italian on my italian search engine...

[B][URL="http://www.acli.it/modules.php?op=modload&name=Static_pages&file=index&page=sistema_acli/fap.html"]ACLI :: Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani[/URL][/B]

I know there [I]used[/I] to be a site of theirs in English, but I couldn't find it. Maybe you could find it on Google or even on Wikipedia!

The C.A.F. (assistenza per anziani e lavoratori) is also part of the ACLI remit. Very useful they are too for us 'oldies' - especially with the '730 IRPEF' every year!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 17:30

As Ghianda and Carole said, the name for this type of organisation in Italy is "circolo" and it is quite an old type of non-profit association (in France the name is also "cercle" and in Spain "circulo"). They are a kind of a small club which also runs a bar as part of its activities. In Bagni di Lucca, we still have a well known building called "Circolo dei Forestieri" or Foreigner's Club. Nowadays, the club no longer exists as such, the building is owned by Council and there is a restaurant and wedding venue that occupies part of the building. There is also a meeting room which is used by council and some local organisations.
I think that in order to have a "circolo" you need to have an association with some cultural, social or community input and running a bar may only be considered as a complementary activity for the benefit of members. Possibly the local Comune will be able to give more precise information regarding legal requirements. In small villages, there may be old associations running without too much control, but starting a new one may be a totally different matter.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 17:51

And the beauty of nipping in to these sorts of places is that you really do meet the locals. Bars can be full of tourists and the welcome can be cooler.:yes: At my Circolo I have a "tab" currently standing at Euro 3,75ish and i just know that if ever I had an emergency e.g. a puncture, they'd all come out to help:winki:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/21/2009 - 20:33

My local bar in Ripalvella is as you describe above. My next move is to join as a member, as I feel guilty taking advantage of the ridiculously low prices and the wonderful hospitality. As Ghianda says, you get to meet the local and there are no tourists, just what I'm looking for.:yes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/22/2009 - 03:27

Our local community bar is a 'Sportivo'

If you want the Fire Brigade - that's where you phone! [Its like a UK 'retained' fire station]

[God knows what they're like after a heavy session!]

.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/22/2009 - 04:19

Very often these 'circoli' do mid day meals too - nearly always a 'menu fisso'. They only prepare a couple of [I]primi[/I] and [I]secondi[/I], plus wine/water and coffee for really good prices. There are no frills, but the food is invariably good quality and really tasty.

There is one of these 'circoli' at Bellaggio on Lake Como - a [U][I]very[/I][/U] expensive place to eat, drink or stay - everything there seems to cost twice as much as everywhere else around the lake... But the lunch at the 'circolo' - hidden behind a high wall and with oil cloth covered tables under the trees in the summer - is a delight and last summer the menu fisso cost just €12!

Photo of Bellaggio and one of the great ice cream treats at a lungo lago bar - but not at the 'circolo'!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/22/2009 - 04:59

Oh Lordy! I cant tell you how much I fancy eating one (or possibly two) of those ice creams right now! :yes: