Gessetto Wine Bar
Find your spirit
In 2011, after handing over Osteria Marsalino, Gaetano Lanza launched a new, experimental project that defied expectations: Gessetto Bar – Find your spirit. It was the first successful venue under the Gessetto brand, a place that blended bar culture, casual dining, and free thinking, right in the heart of Bologna.
Gessetto was never meant to be just a bar. It was designed as an open, dynamic space, somewhere body and mind could both take a genuine pause. From the very beginning, the venue stood out for its strong cultural identity and a clear philosophy: to put the person at the centre of the experience, in a space that encouraged reflection, conviviality, and freedom.
A philosophy of freedom and connection
At the heart of this vision stood a symbol: an old-school 1970s chalkboard, mounted inside the venue as a tool for open communication. Each day it offered up thoughts, quizzes, provocations, musical quotes or political reflections — sparking spontaneous dialogue with both customers and the city. A simple gesture, but a revolutionary one. It transformed the bar into a living square, constantly evolving.
The same sense of freedom could be found in another small, unexpected detail: free water for everyone. Lanza installed a self-service tap, available to all, because, as he often said, “Water belongs to everyone. It’s not something to be sold.”
Gessetto Arena: the street becomes a stage
From day one, music was a core element of the Gessetto philosophy, seen as a universal language capable of creating connections and fostering community.
With the support of the City of Bologna, Gessetto Arena was launched in its very first year: a music series that transformed the street in front of the venue into an open-air arena, closed to traffic, and set up as a welcoming space for sound and gathering.
A vibrant series of performances, encounters, and shared energy, echoing Bologna’s true cultural DNA: a city that is alive, open, and innately musical.
Made-to-measure food and a welcoming spirit
On the food front, Gessetto offered a light but creative format: baguettes with carefully selected fillings, build-your-own cold plates, deconstructed sandwiches, custom salads, and warming international soups like goulash or vegetable couscous.
Everything was designed to promote choice, freedom, and taste — even during the ever-popular aperitivo hour.
To this day, Gessetto Wine Bar (now operating as Bar SensoVerso) is remembered as a place where people could truly come together.
A free space — where even a simple coffee, served with a glass of water that was free by design, could become a small act of conscious pleasure.
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