During July and August, concerts and temporary art exhibits are offered as part of the Estate a Ferrara program. The tourist office can provide a schedule of events and dates, which vary from year to year. During the rest of the year, you can rub elbows with fellow drinkers, and usually lots of students, at a refreshingly diverse collection of bars, pubs, and discos. The Osteria Al Brindisi, Via Adelardi 11 (tel. 0532-209142), claims, with some justification, to be the oldest wine bar in the world, with a tradition of uncorking bottles dating from the early 1400s. Wine begins at around 3€ ($4.35) per glass and seems to taste best when accompanied by a few of the dozen panini (sandwiches).
North of the historic center, Pelledoca, Via Arianuova 91 (tel. 0532-248952), is another hot club, luring young locals as well as out-of-towners. Hours depend on the crowd.