Vengo solo per l'aperitivo.

I am only coming for the aperitif.

Pronunciation

APE-ri-ti-vo — five syllables, stress on first then fourth.

When to use it

When entering a bar in the aperitivo hour to clarify you want drinks and aperitivo snacks, not a full dinner.

What it means

'Vengo solo per' = I'm only coming for. This signals to the bar that you want to use their aperitivo service. In Milan especially, many bars offer a 'apericena' where one drink includes access to a full buffet — qualifying for this is important.

Variations

È compreso il buffet con il drink?

Is the buffet included with the drink?

Confirm the all-inclusive aperitivo deal before ordering

Quanto costa l'aperitivo con stuzzichini?

How much is the aperitif with snacks?

Ask the price of the complete aperitivo package

Facciamo solo un aperitivo veloce.

We'll just have a quick aperitif.

'Veloce' (quick) — signals you are on your way elsewhere and will not linger

Mini Dialogue

— Vengo solo per l'aperitivo — avete il buffet? — Sì, con qualsiasi drink include l'accesso al buffet. Stasera abbiamo bruschette, arancini e salumi. — Perfetto. Uno Spritz allora. — Prego, si serve quando vuole.

— I am only coming for the aperitif — do you have a buffet? — Yes, with any drink it includes access to the buffet. Tonight we have bruschette, arancini and cured meats. — Perfect. A Spritz then. — Please help yourself whenever you like.

Cultural Note

The Milanese 'apericena' (aperitivo + cena = dinner) is a social institution. For the price of one drink (€8–12), you access a full food buffet. In the early 2000s, some bars offered such generous buffets that Milanese professionals stopped eating dinner and simply 'aperi-cenated' instead.

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Che cocktail mi consigli?

Un gin tonic con limone, per favore.

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