13 Best Bars in Milan for Aperitivo

Searching for the best bars in Milan? From timeless institutions to cool, contemporary standouts, here’s where aperitivo truly comes alive in the city.

Aperitivo in Milan isn’t a trend, or a marketing hook, or something you squeeze in “if there’s time.” It’s a fully respected, almost daily evening ritual, observed with the kind of seriousness usually reserved for board meetings and black-tie galas.

Around 6pm, like clockwork, the city shifts. Work closes, conversations open, glasses clink, and everyone collectively agrees: this is the moment the day truly begins.

This guide is my little dedication to that art—the art of aperitivo. The slow settling into a bar stool. The first sip of something bittersweet. The parade of olives, crisps, focaccia, whatever the bartender decides pairs with your drink and your mood. It’s the time of day that’s about lingering, watching the city exhale, and feeling like you’re part of something distinctly Milanese.

Some of the spots ahead are places I’ve actually slid into and stayed longer than planned. Others are still pinned firmly to my Milan bucket list—the ones I didn’t make it to but absolutely will next time. From the shadow of the Duomo to the edges of Navigli, these are the top bars that define that golden hour in Milan, each in their own way.

Here’s my guide to the best bars in Milan, perfect for aperitivo, post-dinner drinks, and everything in between.

13 Best Bars & Aperitivo Spots in Milan, Italy

1. Bar Basso

Bar Basso came with sky-high expectations, and somehow it still hit harder than I imagined. It’s got that lived-in Milanese confidence—busy sidewalks, clinking glasses, bartenders who barely break a sweat—and a legacy to match.

This is the birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato, after all, the cocktail that rewrote the rules with a splash of prosecco. But for me, it was the Americano—my favorite cocktail of all time—that sealed the deal. My goodness, they do it so well here: bitter, effervescent, perfectly calibrated, like they’ve bottled the spirit of aperitivo itself.

And if you happen to be in town during Design Week or Fashion Week, brace yourself—this is the place to be at aperitivo hour. The energy is electric, the crowd effortlessly stylish, and the whole scene feels like Milan at full volume. Bar Basso doesn’t just serve drinks; it sets the tone for aperitvo in the city.

2. Moebius Milano

Moebius earns its spot among the best bars in Milan for a reason. It leans into a sleek, contemporary style—high ceilings, clean lines, a touch of industrial cool—but backs it up with real substance.

The cocktail program is sharp and creative without feeling showy, and the aperitivo bites have that refined, chef-driven edge that makes the experience feel elevated rather than routine. It’s the kind of place where everything is thoughtfully put together—great service, smart flavors, a calm confidence in the way it operates.

If you’re looking for a modern Milan bar that delivers quality across the board, Moebius is firmly in that top tier.

3. Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest is where Milan’s cocktail scene goes full imagination mode. It’s one of the city’s most talked-about bars, known for its wildly inventive, almost theatrical approach to mixology with unexpected ingredients, playful presentations, and drinks that feel more like experiments than orders.

It’s small, cult-famous, and a little hard to get into on the spot, which only adds to the allure. Aperitivo here isn’t traditional in the classic Milanese sense, but it’s undeniably exciting; creative cocktails, a buzzing crowd, and that sense you’re somewhere a little different, a little daring.

If you’re curious about the avant-garde side of Milan’s bar culture, Nottingham Forest is the name to save.

4. Camparino in Galleria

Camparino in Galleria is as classic as Milan gets—an icon sitting right inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, all heritage, history, and old-school aperitivo spirit. This is the place to go to feel plugged into the city’s legacy, sip something bitter and beautifully made, and take in the grandeur of its surroundings.

The drinks here are fantastic, especially if your tipple leans into Canpari. But it comes with the realities of its prime postcard-perfect location: it’s very touristy, and the service was noticeably slow when I visited.

Given where it is, steps from the Duomo and in the middle of one of the most photographed spots in the city—that’s almost part of the deal.

5. Mag Cafe

Mag Café is easily one of the best bars in Navigli, a neighborhood packed with options, but being honest, plenty of lacklustre ones too. This spot stands out.

It has that slightly vintage, moody charm, a cocktail list that’s genuinely creative, and a level of care and craft you don’t always find along the canals. It feels intimate, confident, and truly rooted in Milan’s cocktail culture.

And here’s the insider whisper: Mag is closely connected to 1930, probably the city’s most secretive speakeasy. Befriend the team here, owners, bartenders, whoever’s holding the keys to the kingdom—and you just might find yourself with coveted access to that ultra-exclusive bar.

In Navigli, Mag isn’t just good; it’s the real deal.

6. Rumore

Rumore, the bar at Portrait Milano, brings a lively jolt of energy to one of the city’s most refined addresses. Portrait is, quite honestly, the ultimate pied-à-terre in Milan, luxurious but not stuffy, fashion-world polish with real warmth, and Rumore matches that spirit perfectly.

It’s buzzy, elegant, and unmistakably social, the kind of bar where aperitivo feels elevated but still fun. Cocktails are well-crafted, the crowd is stylish without trying too hard, and there’s a sense of occasion just stepping through the doors.

If you’re staying at Portrait, it’s an effortless perk; if you’re not, Rumore is still worth seeking out for a lively, upscale aperitivo hour that captures modern Milan at its best.

7. Bar Paradiso

Bar Paradiso is one for the wine lovers, those of you who scan a menu and go straight to the vintages, not the cocktails.

The selection here leans natural and is thoughtful and well-curated, leaning into interesting Italian bottles alongside a few global finds, the kind of list that invites you to try something new rather than default to the familiar.

Aperitivo is easy and elegant, something crisp in your glass, a few well-chosen bites—but if you want to go beyond that first hour, there are light plates that pair beautifully with whatever you’re drinking. It feels relaxed, genuine, and quietly confident, a spot where wine takes center stage and does it well.

8. drinc. Cocktail & Conversation

drinc. Cocktail & Conversation does exactly what the name promises: great drinks, and an easy, engaging atmosphere that gets people talking. It’s a modern, cocktail-focused bar with real skill behind the counter—precise mixes, clever twists, and a menu that shows off technique without feeling over-the-top.

Aperitivo here leans more crafted than classic, with well-made cocktails taking the lead and a relaxed, contemporary vibe that feels very “new Milan.” It’s polished, friendly, and confident—a spot that proves conversation is still one of the best aperitivo pairings out there.

9. Minerale

Minerale is a bar and cantina with a clear point of view: wine first, and especially the kind that lives in the natural and biodynamic world. The shelves and pours skew cloudy, characterful, a little wild—in the best way.

This is where you come to explore bottles with personality rather than polish, and the team knows their stuff without making it feel precious. For me, it was all about the orange wine—that’s what pulled me in, and it delivered exactly what I hoped for: textured, tangy, a little unexpected, and totally memorable.

If your aperitivo leans toward wines with stories and edge, Minerale is the spot.

10. Rita

Another top spot in Navigli, Rita is one of the real originals of Milan’s modern cocktail scene. It’s been around since 2002—long before mixology became a buzzword—and built its reputation on quality, craft, and a no-shortcuts approach.

Instead of the artificial syrups that once dominated the scene, they use fresh, seasonal, house-made ingredients, giving Rita a forward-thinking edge that helped shape the way Milan drinks today.

The cocktail list is broad and clever, divided into Restoring, Refreshing, and Relaxing styles, with a few barrel-aged options if you want something deeper. And if you’re hungry, they’ve got everything from easy bites to proper plates.

Rita feels established without feeling tired—proof that Navigli can still deliver the real deal.

11. Bene Bene Bar

Bene Bene Bar has that cool, creative edge that immediately sets it apart—the kind of place where the stainless-steel accents, sharp lines, and subtly industrial feel make you think, this is where something interesting is happening.

The drinks follow suit: a great natural wine selection for those who like their pours a little unfiltered and full of character, plus cocktails that are smart, balanced, and never boring.

It’s fantastic for aperitivo—easy, stylish, relaxed—but the energy definitely picks up as the night goes on. By late evening, it shifts into a livelier, more electric mood, the sort of effortless neighborhood buzz you always hope to stumble into.

12. Pasticceria Cucchi

Pasticceria Cucchi might be known first for its coffee and beautiful old-school cakes, but it quietly doubles as one of the most charming aperitivo spots later in the day.

As the afternoon leans toward evening, the counters of pastries give way to a different kind of ritual—spritzes, small bites, and that unmistakable Milanese rhythm.

It has this wonderfully timeless atmosphere, a mix of elegance and neighborhood familiarity, making it just as perfect for a morning espresso as it is for a relaxed, classic aperitivo.

12. Giacomo Caffè

Giacomo Caffè carries that unmistakable literary charm—the kind of place that feels like it’s meant for writers, readers, and anyone who appreciates a touch of old-world elegance with their drink.

Housed inside the Palazzo Reale, it has this cultured, quietly sophisticated atmosphere that leans more salon than café. The aperitivo here feels refined and a little nostalgic, with well-made drinks and thoughtful bites served in a setting that practically invites you to open a notebook or launch into a spirited conversation about art.

It’s cultured, classic, and beautifully Milanese, one of the best bars in Milan for an early aperitivo.

13. The Doping Club

The Doping Club, tucked inside Aethos Milan, is one of those bars that refuses to fit neatly into any box. The space is deliberately eclectic, full of pieces that feel collected rather than designed to match, and if something catches your eye, you can actually buy it.

It’s part bar, part gallery, part curiosity cabinet. The cocktail list follows the same spirit: playful, wide-ranging, and totally approachable, with bar manager Nicola Romiti steering things in a way that feels both polished and fun.

It’s a great spot for an aperitivo with character—stylish without taking itself too seriously, and full of little details that make you look twice.

What to Drink in Milan

If there’s one thing to know before you sit down for aperitivo in Milan, it’s this: the ritual is as important as the drink itself. Aperitivo isn’t rushed, it’s not something you “grab,” and it’s certainly not just an excuse for a cheap buzz.

It’s a gentle transition into the evening—a moment to reset, talk, snack, and enjoy something beautifully bitter before dinner. Milan takes this seriously, and once you fall into the rhythm, it’s easy to see why. It is a custom that I certainly love and one I’ve brought into my own home and daily ritual.

When it comes to what to order, the city leans firmly into its classic bitter-leaning cocktails. You’ll spot them on practically every menu, with a whole lot of city pride. A few essentials:

Negroni – A Milan staple, even if it was technically born in Florence—equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. In Milan, the Negroni is stirred with a precision that feels almost ceremonial: strong, ruby-red, and perfectly balanced.

Negroni Sbagliato – This one is Milanese through and through. Legend has it that the drink was “mistakenly” made when prosecco was swapped in for gin at Bar Basso. The result is something lighter, bubblier, and endlessly drinkable. It’s the kind of aperitivo cocktail that works for just about everyone

Americano – My personal favorite. Campari, vermouth, soda—simple, refreshing, slightly bitter, and perfect at that golden hour when the city softens. Milan does Americanos exceptionally well; it’s a reliable choice whether you’re at a grand institution like Camparino or a low-key wine bar.

Milano–Torino (Mi-To) – The blueprint for so many Italian cocktails. Campari from Milan, sweet vermouth from Turin—poured in equal parts. It’s elegant, classic, and a direct link to Italy’s aperitivo roots. If you want to drink something that feels truly Milanese, start here.

Beyond cocktails, you’ll also see plenty of vermouth served simply over ice, plus Franciacorta for those who prefer a sparkling start to the evening. And of course, the Aperol Spritz has its place, though locals will often nudge you toward something a little more traditional.

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So, which of these best bars in Milan will you be visiting during your stay? Let me know in the comments below. I always love hearing from you.