Movida Napoli, here is theorder"No takeaway alcohol after 10 p.m.." Bars closed at 12:30 a.m.
Naples - A tough line, at least on paper, against the chaos of nightlife. Yesterday, Mayor Gaetano Manfredi signed the emergency ordinance imposing strict rules for venues on Via Cisterna dell'Olio, Via Domenico Capitelli, and the adjacent side streets, an area of the historic center among the liveliest—and most deafening—of Neapolitan nightlife.
This measure comes at the last minute, after the 30-day deadline granted by the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) to address the noise pollution expired, thus avoiding the need for a special commissioner.
The controversies behind the measure
The ordinance didn't come out of nowhere, but is the latest chapter in a long legal and political battle. The municipality, considered the "owner of the land" causing the disturbance, was defeated in court and ordered to pay €1,2 million in public money to the residents of Vico Quercia and Piazza Bellini, exhausted by sleepless nights.
In September, the council attempted to pass a council resolution, but the issue sparked divisions within the majority, scuppering the project. This political failure made the mayoral ordinance inevitable, an emergency measure that doesn't require a vote by the assembly but is valid for a limited period.
What does the crackdown entail?
The core of the measure, valid for 60 days, is divided into three fronts:
Takeaway prohibited: The sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for takeaway is prohibited from 22 pm to 6 am.
Early closingsBusinesses must close at 00:30 AM Sunday through Thursday, and at 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday. A 30-minute grace period is granted for "clearing the area."
Controls and monitoringPromise to intensify inspections and launch new noise monitoring to verify the effectiveness of the measures.
The rationale, as explained by Palazzo San Giacomo, is to find a "balance" between the right to social interaction and the right to rest, in a "lively and welcoming" city that must, however, protect its inhabitants.
The reactions: open conflict
However, the measure does not calm the controversy, on the contrary.
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On the one hand, the venue owners are up in arms. Their lawyer, Roberta Valmassoni, announces: "We're waiting for the full text to evaluate any legal action." She also points out that the appeal of the TAR ruling to the Council of State is still pending.
On the other hand, residents, despite their victory in court, consider the measure insufficient. Their lawyer, city councilor Gennaro Esposito, calls it "a step backward" from the draft resolution, which also called for the removal of outdoor seating, expressing only "hope" that it will work.
The future: aiming for 2026 for a structural solution
The ordinance is a stopgap solution. The real goal, as Pasquale Esposito, president of the Legality Commission, explains, is to reach the beginning of 2026 with a "structural measure." This, however, will depend on the approval of a Regional Business Plan that regulates nightlife in a comprehensive manner and across multiple avenues. Meanwhile, for two months, evenings in the city center's alleys will end an hour earlier.
Times and Dates of the Provision
Validity of the Ordinance:
Duration: 60 days (approximately 2 months) from the date of publication.
Effective Date: Published yesterday evening (article reference date).
Areas Affected:
Domenico Capitelli Street
Oak Alley
Vico II Quercia
Nina Moscati Street
Oil Cistern Street
Vico II Oil Cistern
Vico III Oil Cistern
Closing Hours:
Sunday → Thursday: Closes at 00:30.
Friday and Saturday: Closes at 01:30 am.
Tolerance: 30 minutes allowed for tidying up spaces after closing time.
Takeaway Prohibition:
Prohibited from: 22:00 PM
Until: 06:00 the next morning.
What's included: Sale and takeaway of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Comments (1)
This ordinance seems like a temporary solution, but I don't know if it will actually solve the problems. Residents are right to want more protections, while local businesses must be able to operate. We need to find a balance that satisfies everyone.