There have been many changes over the decades – fashions, music and styles – but the relationship between the Riviera and its dance halls has continued to remain a very close one. These places have always been centres of social life, bringing together people of different generations and serving as hubs of entertainment and trends. They have gradually become major attractions and, from the post-war period to the present day, these popular venues have become an integral part of what the region has on offer for tourists.
The Riviera has, in fact, always been famous for its nightspots. In the 1960s, its “Dolce Vita” found there came to life at night. In the nightspots of Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica – the Embassy, Casina del Bosco, Savioli and Cambusa – people dressed in their finest sipped drinks and listened to live performances by the legends of Italian music. The 1970s and 1980s then witnessed the transformation of dance halls into clubs, and the cultural revolution of the time brought with it new sounds and new ways of having fun. “Altro Mondo Studios”, “Carnaby”, “Locanda del Lupo”, “Life”, “Mon Amour”, “Blow Up”, “Paradiso” and “Melody Mecca” were just a few of the key venues on the Riviera’s nightlife scene.
In the 1990s, the Romagna Riviera established itself as an international capital for nightlife: “Peter Pan”, “Prince”, “Pascià”, “Villa delle Rose”, “Byblos” and “Cocoricò” were the main forces behind this reputation. Then, after the arrival of the new millennium, the seaside resorts of Milano Marittima and Cervia exploded in popularity among both local residents and holidaymakers, with venues such as “Pineta”, “Baccarà”, “Papeete” and “Le Indie” becoming the go-to spots for footballers and starlets.
Just like the nights along the Romagna coast, the dance clubs never stop, and once again they are leading the way in setting new trends and shaping new models of social interaction. Across the Riviera, investment is on the rise to meet the ever-changing demands of the public, and today they offer us a diverse, fascinating and multifaceted nightlife scene, just waiting to be experienced and discovered.
