Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Milan for grown-ups.

Where to drink

MAG Cafe ★ 4.6

Cocktail bar and daytime cafenavigliMon-Fri 08:00-02:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-02:00

MAG Cafe at the Naviglio Grande has shaped Milan's cocktail scene since 2011, the bar with the antique Argentine pharmacy counter where Flavio Angiolillo invented th

Signature drink: House Negroni with Campari and house-infused vermuth

Food: Light lunches, pastry, aperitivo snacks

Ripa di Porta Ticinese 43, 20143 Milano

Rita and Cocktails ★ 4.5

Craft cocktail barnavigliMon-Sat 18:30-02:00, closed Sun

Rita at Via Fumagalli in Navigli was a pioneer of the fresh-ingredient cocktail in Milan when it opened in 2002. Edoardo Nono's house approach, no artificial syrups

Signature drink: Rita Sour with house citrus cordial and egg white

Food: Aperitivo snacks

Via Angelo Fumagalli 1, 20143 Milano

Ceresio 7 American Bar ★ 4.6

Rooftop American bar and pool deckisolaDaily 12:30-02:00

Ceresio 7 American Bar on the 4th floor of the Dsquared2 building runs two outdoor pools and a 360-degree skyline terrace. The Franciacorta Spritz at 18:30 with the

Signature drink: Franciacorta Spritz with seasonal bitter liqueur

Food: Cocktail snacks and aperitivo plates

Via Ceresio 7, 20154 Milano

Backdoor 43 ★ 4.5

Speakeasy cocktail barbreraTue-Sat 20:00-02:00, closed Sun-Mon

Backdoor 43 in Brera is the Flavio Angiolillo speakeasy behind the unmarked door: 30 seats, no menu, no food, just 40 classic cocktails executed with precision.

Signature drink: Boulevardier with Buffalo Trace and house Campari

Food: None

Via Pontaccio 11, 20121 Milano

Nottingham Forest ★ 4.6

Experimental cocktail barporta-veneziaTue-Sat 19:00-02:30, closed Sun-Mon

Nottingham Forest on Viale Piave is the city's longest-running experimental cocktail bar, open since 1986 in the same room. Dario Comini's molecular-influenced menu

Signature drink: Boscobel Ramos Fizz with nitrogen foam

Food: None

Viale Piave 1, 20129 Milano

Radetzky ★ 4.3

Aperitivo bar and brasseriebreraMon-Sun 08:00-02:00

Radetzky on Corso Garibaldi in Brera is the historic aperitivo bar and brasserie that has anchored the neighbourhood since 1956. The terrace fills at 18:30 for Apero

Signature drink: Aperol Spritz with Franciacorta prosecco and orange slice

Food: Focaccia, chips, cured meats, full menu

Corso Garibaldi 105, 20121 Milano

Camparino in Galleria ★ 4.5

Historic aperitivo barcentro-storicoTue-Sun 08:00-23:00, closed Mon

Camparino in Galleria inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the bar where Davide Campari himself served the first Campari Seltz in 1915.

Signature drink: Campari Seltz: Campari with soda and orange peel

Food: Aperitivo snacks

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 78, 20121 Milano

Ugo ★ 4.4

Speakeasy cocktail barnavigliMon-Sat 19:00-02:00, closed Sun

Ugo on Via Corsico in Navigli is a small speakeasy with faux taxidermy and antique decor, where the cocktails are built around unexpected flavour combinations.

Signature drink: Trique: vodka, white vermouth, celery, green apple, lime

Food: None

Via Corsico 8, 20144 Milano

Bars in Milan, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Milan?

Peak food season in Milan is year-round.

What time do people eat in Milan?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Milan?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Milan?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Milan rewards trust.

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