Scout Webb

Ciao! My name is Scout Webb and I’m from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I will be a senior in the fall and I’m majoring in advertising with a minor in digital marketing. I have loved being in Arezzo and have loved the food even more!

The Underground Bar

For this trip, I had one goal, and it was to live like a local. More importantly, I wanted to build a connection with the staff at restaurants, bars and cafes. Surprisingly that relationship came relatively easy for me at a little place called Sottopiazza. This half-underground, half-outside bar is located right next to our classroom (ironic I know) and has been a place I look forward to going to almost every weekend.

Walking down Via Camillo Benso Di Cavour toward the beautiful Basilica di San Francesco, Sottopiazza is located on the left with nothing but a bar, a few tables and some plants. If you take the time to explore, you will realize that behind the bar is a staircase. As you go down the relatively steep steps into the tavern-like room, you are greeted with a huge smile from a tall, dark-haired man named Andy.

Andy was the second worker I met there, and he has always taken the time to try to converse and meet my friends. Although I usually get my regular drink like a Hugo or a glass of prosecco, Andy almost always asks if I want a surprise cocktail or shot. On the wall is a list of the different drinks available, and behind Andy, is their hefty collection of liquor. Sometimes, it seems that once he sees us walk through the glass door, he immediately changes the music to American pop from the 2010s.

Since the darkroom is usually bumping with music and the local Italians are talking to the friendly bartender, we head back up the stairs to enjoy fresh air, and quieter music and watch the people walk by like a fashion show. The tables are spaced out on both sides and in front of the bar. The metal chairs and tables scrape the concrete as we pull chairs together and get settled in for a long night of good conversations. To avoid going downstairs where you can order cocktails and soft drinks, we stay upstairs where you can get beer, and my favorite, €5

prosecco served by the man himself: Robert.

Robert was the first bartender I met at Sottopiazza and, quite frankly, one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Although he speaks little English, he takes the time out of his night to talk to us and makes sure that we’re having a good time. Whether that’s pulling up more chairs for us or getting us five bags of potato chips, he always helps with a huge smile on his face. Walking up to the outside bar, I am usually greeted with a “Ciao Princess!” by Robert who remembers my usual order.

Sottopiazza is a place that is undoubtedly a fan favorite from the locals and you can tell by the close relationships the bartenders have with everyone who walks up to their bar. The people, music and best drinks in all of Arezzo make up the tiny but perfect bar that is Sottopiazza. I may be biased because of my Google Translate-based relationship with the bartenders, but Sottopiazza is a place that everyone should visit, especially if they want a good drink and a good laugh.