Sonida is Brescia's gay bar, and at the moment it is the only one the city has. It sits on Via Malta, a short walk south of the railway station, and describes itself as a mix between a lounge bar and a small disco club. Its own word for the door policy is heterofriendly, which is the usual formula turned around.
Entry is free and there is no membership card, which is not the norm for this kind of venue in Italy. The drinks list runs to classics, long drinks, mules, pestati and sours, alongside beers, wine and something to eat.
The programme changes by night rather than following one format. A team quiz, a karaoke contest, live music, DJ sets and drag performances all come round. The crowd is largely LGBTQ+ and mixed at the edges, and the room works as a bar first and a dance floor later.
