Archivio Storico

Archivio Storico is one of the most theatrical bars in Naples. Opened on Via Alessandro Scarlatti in the Vomero by two Neapolitan entrepreneurs, Luca and Antonello Iannuzzi, it is a homage to the Bourbon kings who ruled the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Naples. The historical content was developed with the advice of members of the Neo-Bourbon Movement, and the result is a bar and café that feels like stepping into a royal archive.

The entrance is part of the fun. You pass through a sliding door disguised as a large painting, The Triumph of Don Carlo di Borbone at the Battle of Gaeta, some three metres wide. Beyond it are five main rooms, each dedicated to one of the five Bourbon kings of the Two Sicilies and their queens, with ceiling paintings that tell the story of the dynasty in Naples. A display case styled like a library holds the spirits and liqueurs used behind the bar.

The cocktail list follows the theme. There are five Martinis named after the five Bourbon royal couples, and cocktails inspired by the pastries of the monzù, the French-trained chefs who cooked for the aristocratic households of 18th and 19th-century Naples. The food menu draws on the same monzù tradition, the gastronomic soul of the old kingdom, with dishes such as a sous-vide aubergine parmigiana and a swordfish millefeuille, so you can make a full evening of it.

The bar is popular with Neapolitans as well as visitors, and it gets busy at weekends, when booking is wise. Prices are in line with other upmarket cocktail bars in the city. The bar does not list an official website, but its Instagram account, @archivio_storico_napoli, is the best place to check current hours and events.

It suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who enjoys a themed setting and a dose of history with their drink. It is also a good reason to spend an evening in the Vomero, a residential district on the hill with its own lively bar scene around Via Scarlatti and Piazza Vanvitelli. Vanvitelli station on metro Line 1 and the funiculars from Chiaia, Montesanto and Via Toledo connect the Vomero with the centre, though check last-run times before relying on them late at night.