Sorso Bar and Bites, an Italian-inspired cocktail bar and wine lounge, is getting ready to open in Orinda, at 2 Orinda Theatre Square.
The new concept will move into the former home of Starbucks, according to the Bay Area Telegraph. While an exact opening date has not been confirmed, the team is in the early pre-opening stage. Customers can expect Italian small plates, including seafood crudos, pressed sandwiches, and finger foods, alongside cocktails and wines served by the glass or bottle.
Sorso is registered as Dicapa Inc., owned by Daniele Carsano, who plans to create a space that functions as both a neighborhood bar and a community gathering spot. The concept is designed to complement Theatre Square, which has recently had several vacant storefronts, bringing new life to the area with a venue for daytime bites and evening drinks.
Carsano tells What Now that Sorso will be an Italian tapas-style bar, offering a European-style experience both day and night. The lounge aims to appeal to locals and visitors from nearby cities such as Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Oakland, and Berkeley. Licensing and permits are underway, including a liquor license posted on the front window, signaling progress toward opening.
The menu emphasizes small plates meant for sharing, with options like seafood crudos, pressed sandwiches, and Italian finger foods. A curated cocktail list and selection of wines by the glass or bottle are central to the experience, allowing guests to enjoy either a quick bite or a longer evening.
Sorso’s location near the Orinda Theatre is expected to attract moviegoers seeking drinks and light fare before or after a show. The bar and lounge concept offers flexibility for both casual visits and more extended gatherings.
“Come have a drink and a super quick bite, or stay and linger for more generous servings and an extra glass of wine,” Carsano tells What Now.
