Milan’s drinking culture is often associated with the pre-dinner ritual of aperitivo, but the city’s bar scene has evolved significantly in recent years. A new wave of mixologists has introduced innovative and technique-driven cocktails, moving beyond the traditional red-orange palette of Spritz and Negroni Sbagliato.
Some of the best cocktail bars in Milan are part of larger operations with restaurants, while others stand out as independent establishments. Lubna, for example, is a cocktail bar and restaurant located in a former tram depot, offering a unique blend of grilled and charred ingredients in its drinks.
Cocktail Bars in Milan
Rita, a modern classic, has been a pioneer in the city’s mixology scene since 2002. Its U-shaped Larchwood bar and red banquettes create a welcoming atmosphere, while its ever-changing cocktail menu features inventive drinks like the Gin Zen. Bar Basso, another iconic institution, is known for its Negroni Sbagliato and extensive cocktail list.
Bob The Other Side, a newer addition to the scene, offers an immersive experience with its geometric design and creative drinks. Camparino in Galleria, a 110-year-old mainstay, pushes boundaries with its innovative cocktail pairings and Art Deco backdrop.
Milan’s Top Cocktail Bars
Moebius, occupying a former textile warehouse, features a cocktail bar that ranks seventh on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Its bar manager, Giovanni Allario, weaves unexpected twists into classics, while the decor juxtaposes industrial and natural accents. Nottingham Forest, a trailblazing molecular mixology mecca, presents elaborate and experiential drinks.
Lacerba, named after a former Futurist magazine, strikes a balance between nostalgic and zany, with vintage ads and abstract art adorning its walls. Its cocktail menu features a range of drinks, including the Discorso aritmetico alla fidanzata, a riff on the classic Americano. Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation, a 26-seat cocktail bar, offers a convivial atmosphere and cleverly crafted cocktails like the Negroni all’avocado and Sazerac Fire.
Norah Was Drunk, a bar in Lambrate, evokes “Old Milan” with its sleek green Guatemalan marble bar top and custom-made furnishings. Its cocktail menu features reworked classics like the Absinthe Marini and Absinthe Rita, as well as the Million Dollar Hotel made with vodka, port, and mastiha. Carico offers playful small plates like a croque monsieur with mortadella and Parmigiano fonduta.
The Bar at the Bulgari Hotel features a glossy, oval black resin island and a glass wall looking out at the garden. Its menu updates twice a year, with current offerings including the Polaris and Hydra. Etereo, a sky bar and restaurant on the eighth floor of Casa Brera, offers a 360-degree panorama of the city and a cocktail list featuring 13 signature drinks, each paying tribute to a different Milanese neighborhood.
Unique Drinking Experiences
MAG Cafe, the first cocktail bar in Milan from Flavio Angiolillo’s Farmily Group, features a boho-vintage interior and a cocktail menu named “World Comes to Milan”, with drinks like China and France. Tusa Isola, a cocktail bar inspired by 20th-century female trailblazers, offers drinks like the Sissi and Ella Fitzgerald, along with an inviting atmosphere and quirky gold-framed artwork.
Mandarin Garden, at the Mandarin Oriental, Milan, features a cocktail menu inspired by far-off lands like the Majorelle and Port Elizabeth. Sala Malinconia at Gesto, a listening bar concealed behind a mustard-yellow curtain, evokes a softer, more nostalgic feeling, with emerald-green walls and framed vintage prints. Its cocktail list gives new life to classics like the Boogie Mary and San Carlo, and a tapas menu lets guests easily turn their evening of cocktails into a fully-fledged dinner.
Lubna’s cocktail menu, crafted by executive chef Enrico Croatti, incorporates ingredients grilled or charred over open fire, such as the Strawberry and Roasted Capsicum, a smoky riff on a Negroni. The bar’s listening lounge, tucked into the back corner, features flickering anime cartoons and a unique atmosphere.
Each of the 18 cocktail bars in Milan offers a unique experience, from the classic to the new. The city’s drinking culture has evolved significantly over the past few years, with a new wave of mixologists introducing innovative and technique-driven cocktails.