Via Plinio 29 Buenos Aires district
closed Tuesday
tel. [+39] 02 29400580 Lima
evergreen .:. Bar Basso
Off the beaten track, yet on top of the Milanese cocktail scene since 1947. All-wood rustic setting in one room, 19th century posh style in the other. The house's special is called Negroni sbagliato, i.e. wrong Negroni; sparkling white wine instead of gin.
Via Brera 32 Brera district
8-2am (Sunday through 8:30pm)
tel. [+39] 02 876723 Lanza
evergreen .:. Bar Jamaica
When the Brera district was like a small Milanese Montmartre, here you could meet painters, intellectuals, bohemians and poets. Now the crowd has definitely changed (and prices too). Small, with a verandah and outside tables in the summer months.
Via Adelchi 5 Lambrate district
closed Monday
tel. [+39] 02 70638678 Lambrate FS
informal .:. Birrificio Lambrate
The first micro brewery in town. Beers are made on the premises in steel kettles. Some classics - which carry Milanese names like Sant'Ambroeus (our patron saint Ambrose), Domm (dialect for Duomo: the Cathedral), or Monte Stella (Milan's one-and-only hill) - are produced regularly all year round. Others - e.g. Magut (dialect for mason) or Beccamort (gravedigger) - depend on season or availability of raw materials. Happy Hour Buffet from 6 to 8pm. .:. Another outlet of the Birrificio is not very far, at Via Camillo Golgi 60.
evergreen .:. Camparino in Galleria
Right where the Galleria starts, Duomo side, this used to be to the historic Zucca bar, established in 1919. Toscanini was among the habituès in bygone days. The art déco setting is still the original one. Though since January 2012 the venue has been under the flag of a competitor - the world-renowned Campari, of course - you can still order the most Milanese of aperitifs: a Zucca (rhubarb based) with crushed ice, soda water and orange peel.
al fresco .:. Camparitivo
Part of the Triennale, Milan's design institution par excellence, Camparitivo (open April-October) is an oak platform extending into the greenery of the center's largest park, Parco Sempione. .:. Current settings (2010) are by Matteo Ragni. But even before, when the venue's name was Fiat Café, its tables and chairs were unmistakably signed by some of the biggest names in design.
Corso Como 10 Brera district
tel. [+39] 02 653531 Garibaldi FS
voguish .:. Corso Como Cafè
Designed by American artist Kris Ruhs, the courtyard café is part of Carla Sozzani's complex which includes a photographic gallery, a bookstore, a boutique selling clothes, accessories and luxury goods, a restaurant and a b&b. The ultimate in style. Excellent cocktails, try their N. 1
Corso Venezia 15 Monte Napoleone district
Mon-Sat
10am-9.30pm
tel. [+39] 02 76011154 San Babila
modish .:. Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar
Shop till you drop... in. Walk through the D&G menswear store and head to the courtyard bar to enjoy a cocktail (made with Martini, the business partner) while sharing the stage with posturing supermodels and fashionistas. Black and red setting, leather sofas, small tables and a huge Murano glass chandelier.
Via Manzoni 31 Monte Napoleone district
closed Sunday
tel. [+39] 02 72318680 Montenapoleone
modish .:. Emporio Armani Café
A taste of the 'gorgeous Giorgio' style. On the ground floor of the Armani mini-mall, this small café is the ideal spot for an after-shopping drink. In the same premises, the Japanese Nobu is a must for after work drinks and sushi.
Piazza Porta Lodovica 2 Navigli district
7am-10pm, closed Monday
tel. [+39] 02 58310497 no metro
evergreen .:. Gattullo
Not far from Porta Ticinese, Gattullo is known as one of the best pasticcerie in town. But it's strong on apéritifs too. Try a Rose (dry vermouth, kirsch and cherry brandy), and indulge on the yummy titbits.
Via Torti Navigli district
open daily
tel. [+39] 02 58104325 no metro
voguish .:. Le Biciclette
A crowd of creatives and professionals in their 30s flock here for a Milanese-style happy hour that goes on until 10pm. Take your time, and take a look at the monthly exhibitions. The music's sometimes too loud.
modish .:. Marino alla Scala Café
Corner bar (literally) on the Trussardi building's ground floor. Small tables and a few window counters with tall stools overlooking the Scala. Relaxed atmosphere and over-30s crowd gathering here to unwind with post-office drinks. Lounge-bar by the first floor restaurant.
Via Piero della Francesca 55 Paolo Sarpi district
Tue-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 6-9pm
tel. [+39] 02 34936616 no metro
voguish .:. Roialto
Not far from the Fiera. From the outside you would expect to see a Fiat in the windows - it used to be a car dealer. Inside, the style is Spanish colonial, with a huge Cuban bar counter. Crowded with under-40s, packed in for after-work apéritifs (the buffet is generous but not worth a fight) and all-night drinks. Try the pinacolada, served in a fresh sliced coconut. Music not too loud, chatting's ok.
Via Molino delle Armi Ticinese district
tel. [+39] 02 58315720 Missori
voguish .:. Shu
Often the stage of fashion events, the Shu - an Egyptian god of the air - was designed by architect Fabio Novembre and has a definitely hi-tech atmosphere with dominating green. The cocktails are rather good, there's a happy hour with pasta and desserts.
MILAN CITY TOURS
Double-deckers? The San Siro stadium?
The Last Supper?
You can reserve a bus or a specialized tour through our partner Viator.
CiaoMilano is conceived and edited by KIWI, Milano .:.Monica Levy, who created this website, is no longer with us. Her smile is behind this word.