In the title compound, [Cu(C(8)H(7)O(2))(NO(3))(C(10)H(8)N(2))], the Cu(II) ion is five-coordinate in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The basal positions are occupied by two N atoms from a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand and two O atoms from the 2-acetyl-phenolate anion. The axial position is occupied by one O atom of a nitrate anion. In the bipyridine ligand, the two pyridine rings are slightly twisted by an angle of 3.5 (1)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.