A New, Old-School Italian Bar Arrives in the Pearl District

Negronis, Italian wine-by-the-glass, and old-school martini glasses have hit NW Portland in the form of Bar Rione, the new casual bar from the folks behind red sauce hangout Piazza Italia. In February, the Portland Mercury broke the news that the Pearl District restaurant would open a bar in the space next door, a sort-of waiting room for the restaurant. Owners Kevin Gorretta and Amy Schettini originally planned to open Bar Rione this summer, but according to its Facebook page, the real opening date was yesterday, November 13. Like its sister restaurant, the bar feels extra old-world-meets-’90s, with house-made limoncello and an assortment of negronis. As for food, the Facebook page references dishes like roasted scamorza cheese with prosciutto.

Northwest has exploded this fall, but there are still several big bars in the process of opening: Gin bar Botanist should start shaking martinis any minute now, as well as artsy cocktail spot Pink Rabbit. Stay tuned for more opening news in the Pearl and beyond.

• Bar Rione [Official]
• Bar Rione [Facebook]
• Piazza Italia Owners Prepare to Open Bar Rione in Time for Summer [Merc]