Bars

Abstract

This chapter investigates the functioning of one of the key spaces of everyday political interaction in a dictatorial setting and how we might use source material that was officially produced, by the dictatorship, its representatives and intermediaries, in order to capture the range of political encounters that took place in the everyday spaces that occupied a somewhat liminal position vis-à-vis the dictatorial state. In fascist Italy, as elsewhere, bars – and the associated spaces of cafes, osterie, and trattorie – were important spaces of everyday (predominantly adult male) sociability and interaction. Individual bars and osterie were often known to have particular political affiliations, while others were frequented by people of different – sometimes opposing – political viewpoints. In these circumstances, bars became one of very few remaining public spaces where political discussion and interaction could take place in fascist Italy.