Milan Entertainment

  1. Auditorium di Milano

    Abandoned after WWII, the Cinema Massimo was completely reinvented in 1999 through the generosity of an anonymous Milanese donor as state-of-the-art home to Milan's legendary Giuseppe Verde Symphonic Orchestra, as well as visiting international jazz acts and chamber music groups on Sundays.

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  2. Bhangra Bar

    Hip Milanese like their bars like they like their cuisine: geographically vague and otherwise distinctive. Bhangra Bar delivers on both counts with a couscous-and-curry aperitivo buffet, served with a side of African percussion on Fridays, international beats on 'Melting Pot' Thursdays, and triphop plus a free shiatsu massage with your around €6.50 drink on 'Tao' Sundays.

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  3. Frida

    No pretensions, no entourages, just good music, good value and good times. The jumble of tables outside and couches indoors make it easy to bond over beer, and the display of local emerging photographers is a handy conversation-starter with the arty alternative crowd. Come for live jazz Sundays and around €5 happy hour - .

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  4. Le Trottoir

    Party at your house - at least that's how it looks inside this former toll house, with art on the stairway, funky frescos and the inevitable cluster of artists attempting to discuss video art over the joyous din of a swinging ska band. That's right: that dinky raised platform is a stage, showcasing local alternative bands that get the whole place gyrating.

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  5. Magazzini Generali

    When an entire former warehouse full of people is working up a sweat to indie international acts, cutting-edge DJs and the best local bands, there's no cooler place to be in Milan. Can't argue with the price, either: most acts are under €15 , there's free entry Wednesday, a.k.a. Night of Contemporary Beat, and the legendary Jet Lag Fridays are free with a drink.

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  7. Rolling Stone

    Belle and Sebastian, Artic Monkeys, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and local bands you never heard of (but should) play Milan's leading rock venue. Patrons have been known to shower bands with adoration and contempt by spraying them with beer from the bar above the stage, but nowadays management keeps a look out for amp-destroying rabble-rousers (you know who you are).

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  8. Scimmie

    A historic canalside pizzeria that puts on 363 live shows a year - only in Milan, baby. Jazz, alternative rock and blues are the strong suits of the emerging talents who play to overflow crowds inside Scimmie, in the garden, and on its new Jazz Boat (with dinner, around €35 ). Concerts start at 10, and €8 to €12 entry includes your first drink.

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