An aperitif, please.
a-pe-ri-TI-vo — five syllables, stress on fourth.
Between 6 and 8 pm when you sit down at a bar for the Italian ritual of aperitivo — a drink before dinner, often accompanied by snacks.
'Aperitivo' is both the drink and the pre-dinner social ritual. Italian aperitivo culture means the drink is usually accompanied by free snacks ('stuzzichini') — crisps, olives, bruschette, sometimes a full buffet.
Cosa avete per l'aperitivo?
What do you have for aperitif?
Open question — invites the bar to describe their aperitivo offerings
Facciamo l'aperitivo?
Shall we do aperitivo?
Suggesting the ritual to your companion — a social invitation
L'aperitivo è con gli snack?
Does the aperitif come with snacks?
Confirm whether food is included in the drink price
The Italian aperitivo hour is a genuine institution — not just drinking but a social pause between work and dinner. In Milan, the aperitivo includes a free buffet so generous it replaces dinner ('apericena'). In Venice, it means 'cicchetti' (small bites) with ombra (glass of wine).