In 1991, two friends were chatting without giving it much thought, but unwittingly sowing a seed: the idea of something original and daring. A customer at the ‘Donald Duck’ in Villamarzana (opened in 1986) suggested they think big.
So I set off, winding my way along back roads and through a jumble of ideas, until I reached the outskirts of Porto Marghera… where, amidst scrap metal and symbols of the sea, I spotted the Korina, a boat built in 1951: it was the perfect vessel, built in the very year I was born.
Once the arrangements had been finalised, we set to work. Towing a ship was no easy task — there were logistical problems, height restrictions to comply with, and tight passages under bridges. We lightened the ship by removing cabins and engines; we used tonnes of material and thousands of litres of water to make it ‘sink’ and pass under the bridges.
Finally, the ship reached the dock: it was time to transform it.
The room was cleared out, rebuilt, furnished and lit. I remember it as if it were yesterday: me with the welding torch, sweating in the winter heat, my wife urging me to find a ‘normal outfit’ (and me replying that I’d lost the money).
When, finally, in December 1992, the Korina was opened as the Sebastian Pub—people came in, walked about, breathed in the blue, the sea, the wood, life. My father, injured after a fall, was greeted with a long round of applause from the team.
More than 30 years on, Sebastian Pub is not just a restaurant and pizzeria on a houseboat: it’s an experience. With its nautical décor, ‘on-board’ atmosphere and carefully crafted dishes that blend flavour with local identity.
People don’t just come here to eat: they come to experience a story, to breathe in a legend, to sit at a table that offers a view, a history and a wealth of emotions.
If you’d like to immerse yourself in our history and make it part of your own memories, do come and visit us.
Available on +39 0532 900900
Or via local apps such as MyTaxi / ItTaxi
Aeroport “Guglielmo Marconi” di Bologna – 47 km
Ferrara railway station – 1.5 km
Nearest stop: Line 11 – ‘Darsena’ stop
(a few minutes’ walk from the pub)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, we accept bookings, but only by telephone. Please call the official number listed on our contact page to book your table. Bookings are required for groups of 6 or more people, whilst they are not necessary for smaller groups or couples.
No, dogs are not allowed inside the Sebastian Pub.
Yes, the Sebastian Pub is open 7 days a week, in the evenings.
Yes, a takeaway service is available, and delivery via apps such as Just Eat is often offered as well.
We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), American Express and digital payment methods such as Satispay. It is always advisable to ask when placing your order if there are any special requirements.
