Milan
Set in the atmospheric surrounds of a one-time Augustine refectory, this enoteca (wine bar) gets packed with an older upmarket kind of crowd, especially…
Must-see nightlife in Milan
Milan
Owned by fashion guru Claudio Antonioli, this is possibly Milan's most beautiful club. Set against a sleek all-black interior, it attracts an affluent…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Selling liquor and wine since 1933, this bottiglieria (liquor store) is the real deal when it comes to aperitivo time. Here it's strictly crostini, olives…
Milan
Take a load off your feet at the Hotel Baglioni’s darkly sumptuous cafe. With its plush teal-coloured armchairs, glossy black tables and art deco touches,…
Milan
Named after the rail tracks that drove modernity through the heart of Milan, this Liberty-style cafe reflects the glamour of the railway age. Plump red…
Milan
Courting an alternative, gay-friendly scene, Rocket is a local favourite that delivers a great DJ line-up, great cocktails and a load of unpretentious fun…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Silky cappuccinos, a breakfast brioche or kipfel (crescent-shaped pastries) kick off the day at this cafe just off fancy Via Vincenzo Monti. Mid-morning,…
Milan
Cocktails are the order of the day at Pinch, a cozy bar with Prohibition-era decor where inventive concoctions come with names such as Stagione di Bici!! …
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Enjoy the sleek interior of the Fondazione Feltrinelli at this bookshop bar/cafe, offering top-notch cocktails designed by award-winning bartender Mattia…
Milan
This iconic Milanese bar is not only said to have invented the aperitivo concept, but also the ever-popular negroni sbagliato (made with prosecco not gin)…
Milan
Originally a bakery, Pandenus was named after the walnut bread that used to emerge from its (still active) oven. Now the focaccia, pizzetta and bruschetta…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Since 1946 this historic locale has been attracting devotees for its coffee beans, still roasted out the back on the original machine. Choose from by-the…
Milan
Whether experienced inside beneath the giant botanical sculptures at the earth-toned bar or outside on the terrace overlooking the brilliantly green…
Milan
At the forefront of Milan’s nascent third-wave coffee scene, Brent Jopson’s passion for single origin roasts is encouraging the Milanese to slow down…
Duomo & San Babila
Step into this cool cafe and you could be forgiven for thinking you’d landed in Brooklyn. Exposed brick walls and vintage movie posters give it a laid…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
This neighbourhood bar fills a critical gap by supplying some good grown-up cocktails to the thirsty punters on Corso Vercelli. Although it serves…
Milan
La Vineria strips away all the aperitivo hoopla and serves up glasses, carafes and bottles of wine (and olive oil) straight from the barrel. A glass of…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Proud keepers of a traditional panetùn (panettone) sweet bread recipe that once pleased Pope Pius X, Biffi has changed little since its 1847 opening. With…
Duomo & San Babila
On a mission to educate drinkers in the diversity of Italian wines, SignorVino is a wine store, bar and restaurant rolled into one. There are more than…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
The novelty of drinking in a former 8th-century church never quite gets old. In this dimly lit, shoebox-sized bar, peeling frescoes and pointed arches…
Milan
Milan’s celebrated vodka bar is a tiny temple dedicated to that potent potato juice. With more than 100 different types of vodka to choose from and owner…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Tucked down a quiet street with its grand villas is this retro '70s bar with its friendly proprietor, Antonio. Drop by for a chat and a cappuccino in the…
Milan
This eccentric tiki bar, home to Milan's unexpected surfer scene, is located in the midst of a sports centre. The upside is an outdoor garden, a barbecue…
Milan
This belle époque bar with its glittering Murano chandelier and counter full of sugary confectionary is something of an institution in the Quad. It is…
Milan
This craft-beer bar has won a slew of awards for its unusual celebration of wild fermented beers, imported Belgian brands and interesting Italian sour…
Milan
A landmark of Milan's alternative scene, Tunnel takes its moniker as top underground club seriously and is literally housed in a tunnel beneath the rail…
Milan
Calling all comic connoisseurs and geeks, Vinile serves a limited-production wine list, Italian craft beers, and artisanal cold cuts and crostini in the…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Founded by Italian rock-star Vasco Rossi, Alcatraz is now a multifunctional venue for live concerts, DJ sets, fashion shows and a weekly dance club. The…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
So laid-back you might have trouble getting served, this sunny cafe-bar invites long, lazy afternoons. The young, local crowd have such a thing down to an…
Milan
This Navigli canal-side bar has a fine selection of craft beers, ranging from light lagers to robust hop-heavy bitters. Soak it all up with panini and…
Milan
A local favourite, this old-style bar recalls the city of Buenos Aires. It attracts a laid-back, diverse crowd from breakfast through to aperitivo to late…
Duomo & San Babila
With its wacky moulded orange counter, bubble lights and low-slung '70s seats, this bar dedicated to the classic Aperol spritz (a cocktail made with…
Milan
Ricardo Griffini's Bar Bianco was built as a milk bar for the Tenth Triennale (1954). Still popular with mums and toddlers in the daytime and a hip…
Milan
Retro Cuore has heart and soul by the bucket-load with its vintage '50s furniture, TVs screening cult films, and Hawaii Five-O cocktails including piña…
Milan
This squat lies somewhere between an arts-and-culture centre and a nightclub. It offers an array of wild dance nights, political conversations and art…
Milan
It’s a discreet place, the kind that doesn’t even have a sign – just two shopfront windows. But inside it’s brimming with charm, a cosy jumble of…
Milan
Drinks with a view are the USP of this dock-side conservatory bar, which serves up breakfast, coffee, snacks and aperitivo from dawn until dusk. In winter…
Duomo & San Babila
Tucked beneath the arches of Palazzo Reale, this period cafe with a secluded upstairs reading gallery is a good place to grab a coffee or mid-morning…
Milan
Combining two of Milan's favourite things: aperitivo and sushi, Chinese Box can't really go wrong. Which is why punters cram into this hip little bar to…
