Here are the best spots by area, click on the one you are interested in:
- Duomo – metro stops Duomo, Cordusio
- Brera – metro stop Moscova
- Isola – metro stop Isola
- Arco della Pace and Parco Sempione – Trams no. 1 and 10
- Navigli – Metro stop Porta Genova
- Via Tortona/Via Savona – Metro stop Tolstoj
- Porta Venezia – metro stop Porta Venezia, Tricolore
- Porta Vittoria – metro stop Tricolore,
- Porta Romana – metro stops Porta Romana, Crocetta
In most countries we go directly to the restaurant and have a drink while we study the menu. In Milan you start with an aperitivo.
The aperitivo is an appetizer: a glass of wine or a cocktail with snacks, that you have before going out for dinner – at around 6-8 p.m..
Over the last couple of years the Milanese aperitivo, or as they call it happy hour, has evolved from being a quick cocktail into becoming an event that sometimes stretches over the entire night and the snacks have become a buffet, that doesn’t wake your appetite but stills your hunger.’
Duomo area
This is a great place to have an aperitivo on a terrace so your view of the Cathedral serves as a backdrop to your night.
Camparino, one of Milan’s oldest and most popular coctail bars Mosco, an absolute must for their world renowned Negroni, located at the start of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele at 21, Piazza del Duomo (find on map)
Terrazza Duomo 21 (find on map) located at 21, Piazza Duomo, open every day 11 am-02 am
Terrazza Aperol (find on map) which you gain access to through the Mercato del Duomo open 11 am-11 pm
Bar Magenta, 13, Via Carducci (very close to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The last Supper”) (find on map) Phone +39028053808 . Has been one of the classical aperitivo spots in Milan for generations.
Brera area
God save the food, 1, Piazza del Carmine (find on map) high quality buffet and cocktails right in the center of Milan in Brera.
Terrazza di Maison Moschino, Hotel Moschino,(find on map) it is a little pricier than most places (10-15€). It’s on 12, Viale Monte Grappa , super chic and very fashion.
Radetzky €€
105, Corso Garibaldi (find on map)
8-1.30 am Monday to Thursday, 8-2 am Friday and Saturday and 10-1.30 am Sunday, not the cheapest place in Milan but great location and service.
On your way back from a shopping tour Tramè is a great place to have an aperitivo, in the middle of Brera and very lively (find on map) you may already know the place from a lunch! You won’t get any snacks here, just an excellent drink but you can try some of their delicious sandwiches with it, but you have to buy those on the side..
Isola area
Another good area to have an aperitivo together with the Milanese in is the very cosy Isola area (find on map). The best street is Via P. Borsieri (find on map) where the legendary jazz place Blue Note is too.
Here you also find super cool and beautiful Café Gorille, 20, Via Gaetano de Castillia (find on map) which is rich on atmosphere.
Arco della Pace and Parco Sempione area
This is definitely one of the hottest aperitivo places as well as being a place where the nightlife is particularly vibrant and fun.
Deseso at 2, Corso Sempione (find on map) offers all the classical cocktails but also some with a modern twist, service is excellent.
Living at 2, Piazza Sempione (find on map) is elegant and a bit of an institution in the Milanese aperitivo repertoire.
BhangraBar, 1, Corso Sepione (find on map) a more exotic place that appeals to a younger crowd.
Dazi Milano is at 1, Piazza Sempione (find on map) has really excellent cocktails.
Cascina Nascosta (The hidden fartmhouse) is located in the middle of Parco Sempione at 14, Viale Emilio Alemagna (find on map) tucked away and unknown to many, a real gem.
Navigli area
The Navigli area is also rich on aperitivo places such as Manhattan Navigli at 13, Ripa di Porta Ticinese (find on map).
Mag café at 43, Ripa di Porta Ticinese (find on map).
Via Tortona/Via Savona area
Via Tortona /Via Savona (find on map) is an area with many cool brunch/lunch places and small boutiques and in the evening it’s a great place to have an aperitivo.
Gogol & Company 101, Via Savona (find on map) is a charming bookstore/art gallery/café/bar with a great aperitivo in unusual surroundings.Opening hours Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Outside the beaten track but relatively close to MUDEC and Corso Vercelli:
Porta Venezia Area
MINT Garden café, 12, Via Felice Casati (find on map) a very cool place to have your aperitivo near Corso Buenos Aires.
Pandenus,15, Via Alessandro Tadino (find on mapt) has great cocktails, a fantastic buffet and a super cozy atmosphere.
Nottingham Forest, 1, Viale Piave (find on map) it has made it to the prestigious list of 50 Great Bars of the World published by the English Class Magazine. Very international crowd and their cocktails are pure molecular science.
Bar Basso, 39, Via Plinio (find on map) One of Milan’s historical cocktailbars, Inventors of the drink Negroni Sbagliato. Close to shopping area Corso Buenos Aires.
Porta Vittoria area
Ai Chiostri Milano, 48, Via San Barnaba (find on map), this beautiful place is housed in a former convent, located just behind Milan’s court house, from the 1400s offers everything from breakfast, lunch, aperitivo and after dinner drinks. Please note that they close at 4 pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.
Deep Milano, 5, Via Galvano Fiamma (find on map) – an extensive choice of cocktails but classic and new.
Gran Caffè, 47, Corso di Porta Vittoria (find on map)
Porta Romana Area
Lacerba Cocktail bar, 4, Via Orti (find on map) in the Porta Romana area. This place is fast becoming one of the favourites with the picky Milanese.
Swami Cafë (find on map) – near Porta Romana, 12, Viale Montenero.
