I independently & honestly review all of my travel recommendations. If you click on links I provide, I may receive compensation
Cosmopolitan Milan is one of the best cities in the world for cocktails. Not only does the city have great cocktail bars, but the region is also the birthplace of cocktail ingredients such as Campari and cocktails such as the Negroni Sbagliato. Here are my favorite cocktail bars in Milan, including everything from relaxed dives to luxurious lounges and speakeasies.
Best Cocktail Bars in Milan
Nottingham Forest
The history of Milan favorite Nottingham Forest goes back decades. Originally opened by Carlo Comini in 1970, his son, Dario Comini, has spent decades turning the bar into one repeatedly appearing on “Best Bars” lists, including the 50 Best Bars.
Nottingham Forest is everything I look for in a cocktail bar. The cocktails are some of the most inventive I’ve ever seen, taking inspiration from all over the world. Some feature molecular mixology. However, Dario and his crew are also happy to make you a classic cocktail if you prefer.
There are two drinks menus. The massive red menu essentially tells the bar’s history, while the smaller black menu is a less intimidating list of their recommendations. If you’re patient, exploring the larger menu is fun for drinks connoisseurs.
The overall look of Nottingham Forest is a bit of a Rorschach test, depending on what you want to see in it. It feels dark, luxurious, and classy yet unpretentious, with a kitschy quality reminiscent of some tiki bars but fancier.
Book your hotel in Milan now!Like the menu, the decor draws inspiration from around the globe. Every inch of the place is covered in something, whether bottles, barware, or other knickknacks acquired from travels and guests over the years. I spotted signs from Bangkok to Brazil.
With all of this decor and intense drinks, it could be an overwhelming place for more than just a drink or two, but thankfully the music focused on relaxing covers rather than creating sensory overload.
If you want to get another feeling for the bar, a bar t-shirt shows Darth Vader and a Minion drinking together. Pop culture has a strong influence on parts of the menu.
As I looked around the bar, I spotted people drinking out of miniature bathtubs and skulls. Several drinks used dry ice.
For my first drink, I wanted something that mixed the world of classic cocktails and molecular mixology before I got a bit crazier with my second drink.
So I started with “One Drink With Balls,” made from bourbon, cherry bitters, and extra dry wine. It was served with a dish of spherified balls of fruit; a cool concept and presentation.
My second drink was the Molecular Infuse. This creative drink showcases the bar’s passion for molecular essences. It included four different balls immersed in champagne, each with a different flavor (bitters, absinthe, saffron, and Pimms).
Finally, I left the decision for my last drink up to the bartender, only giving my desire to have something refreshing and fruity with mango. This led me to the Brazil, which included rum, passion fruit, mango, pineapple, and more.
Nottingham Forest is an incredible cocktail bar. It’s not a big place, nor does it take reservations, so there can be long lines to get in. The bar is open until 2am, so getting there a bit early for opening or going later is a good idea, as is avoiding the busiest weekend nights. I went on a Sunday night around 9pm and had no issue getting right in.
Address: Viale Piave, 1, 20129 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Camparino en Galleria
Aperitivo is at the center of Italian drinking culture. Most simply, it’s the concept of having a light drink along with a snack before a larger dinner, but it has evolved to be much more than that. Aperitivo is a time to gather with friends at happy hour after a long day and can continue on through the night.
Aperitvo drinks are typically light and often bitter. Famed Italian liqueurs are at the heart of the most common Aperitivo drinks, such as the Aperol spritz. After you visit Camparino En Galleria, Milan’s mecca of Aperitivo culture, the Campari Seltz will also be on your list.
Camparino En Galleria has been a gathering spot for Milan’s bar crowd since 1915. The bar is actually multiple spots in one, including Bar di Passo and Sala Spiritello. Whether you get a table in the entryway with views of the famous Duomo or stand at the bar, you’ll encounter some of the best cocktails in Milan.
I stood at Bar di Passo, mesmerized by the high ceiling, marble floor, and beautiful mosaic titles on the wall. The metal bar has wood paneling on the front. In a city that’s so design-focused as Milan, it’s unsurprising that one of its most famous bars would be an impressive sight. It has also been a regular on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Camparino En Galleria is a shrine to Campari, the Italian liqueur with a history dating back to 1860. It’s a must-visit for any fan of the ingredient or the cocktails that incorporate it, especially the Negroni.
The menu includes a variety of classic Campari cocktails. Although the bar was not the first place to serve a Negroni, several variations of Italy’s most famous cocktail are available.
The bar’s most iconic cocktail is the Campari Seltz. It is simple and refreshing: one part Campari and three parts seltzer.
I ordered one and stood at the bar, watching the bartenders work their magic.
I’ve been to “corporate” bars elsewhere dedicated to one particular drink maker, but Camparino En Galleria feels different. It feels true to its roots, just as it has for over 100 years. It feels like home.
Do you have upcoming travel that you need to book? Use my travel resources page to make your bookings! There's no cost to you, and you'll be supporting my site. Thanks!
Address: P.za del Duomo, 21, 20121 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Mag Cafe
The Farmily Group owns several prominent cocktail bars in Milan, including Mag Cafe, Backdoor 43, 1930, Iter, and Tripstillery. They also have a kiosk in Mercato Centrale.
There are two Mag Cafe locations in the city. Backdoor 43 bills itself as the “smallest cocktail bar in the world,” and is right next to the Navgli Mag Cafe. For more on Iter, see below. Tripstillery is Italy’s first distillery cocktail bar. And 1930 is the most exclusive cocktail bar in the group. Access to the speakeasy is hush-hush but begins with a visit to one of the group’s other bars such as Mag Cafe. Endear yourself to the staff, and you just might find yourself getting an invite.
Mag Cafe Navgli is a bustling, friendly spot on the canal with eclectic decor.
The menu is inspired by playing cards and features drinks that are fusions of classic cocktails. The bar’s motto is “Drink better, not more,” which I can endorse.
I first enjoyed the Tommy & Sam, a combination of Penicillin and Tommy’s Margarita from Tommy’s in San Francisco.
Next, I went with the John Castro, a combination of an Americano and Daiquiri.
There were also aperitivo snacks, including fried plantains, olives, and popcorn.
Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43, 20143 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Mag Cafe Navigli & Backdoor 43
Address: Via Edmondo de Amicis, 22, 20123 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Mag Cafe La Pusterla
Address: Piazza Alvar Aalto, 20124 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Tripstillery
Address: You’re going to have to be special to find out – 1930
Website
Iter
Iter is a Milan cocktail bar with a fun concept. The bar’s slogan is “From Italy to the world.” The menu changes frequently, with each edition being themed on a different country. When I visited, the theme was Norway.
The drinks are spins on classic cocktails but with a focus on ingredients from that particular country.
Since I was in Italy, I went for the Mjollnir – a Norwegian-inspired Negroni.
The drink came with custom-stamped ice with the bar’s logo, as well as aperitivo snacks.
Address: Via Mario Fusetti, 1, 20143 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
White Rabbit Speakeasy
White Rabbit Speakeasy is a true speakeasy located in Isola.
First, you have to email an answer to a question you will receive via the contact page on their website. The email also includes booking info and scheduling. Next, you will receive a riddle that lets you figure out the password, which you will then say as you enter.
The cocktail bar is a dark multilevel lounge based on the 1920s Prohibition era. Jazz, swing, and big band music played, but later, some later-era songs were also on the playlist. Amusingly, so was “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”
If you arrive at the bar’s opening on weekdays, aperitivos, including food, are available. There are also live shows at 10 p.m. each night.
The bar is cozy inside, with old furniture that adds to the historic feel.
The black menu has cards with photos of their house signature cocktails. There is also a huge list of spirits.
First, I had Poggio Di Berceto. It was made with Wild Turkey rye whiskey, Vermouth del Professore, Campari, and a Speck del Tirolo fat wash. The drink was phenomenal. I found it to be one of the best cocktails in Milan.
I followed this with Variante Della Roggia, which was nice and refreshing, perfect for that unexpectedly warm day.
Address: Via Garigliano, 4, 20159 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Kilburn Cocktail Bar Milano
Kilburn Cocktail Bar Milano is inspired by London cocktail bars. The bar’s slogan is “From London to Milan.
The award-winning bar feels luxurious and classy, featuring comfy leather furniture, rich wood, and teal velvet drapes, stools, and chairs. It’s an excellent bar for a date.
The music features jazz, standards, and some chill singer-songwriter-type music, some of which are covers of well-known, more upbeat songs from artists such as Dire Straits and The Weekend. It’s enough to provide a bit of a soundtrack while not overwhelming conversation.
The drinks at Kilburn Cocktail Bar only use high-end spirits and quality ingredients. This means the drinks are more expensive than those at some other Milan bars, but they are worth it.
I especially enjoyed the Moulin Rouge, which contained mezcal, Campari, Calvados, tonka bean, Angostura bitters, and black pepper essence.
Address: Via Panfilo Castaldi, 25, 20124 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation
I first visited Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation on an autumn evening. The outside patio was bustling on this Wednesday night, but inside, there were plenty of seats, many of which were leather chairs. The room was dimly lit, though the bar area had bright lights. Cool, chill electronic beats were playing at a reasonable volume.
I sat down at the bar and was given some water with ginger in it as a palate cleanser. I knew I would be in good hands.
Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation has a changing, inventive menu with a wide range of flavors, including some Italian-inspired selections. For example, one drink featured Nutella liqueur.
As was the case at several Milan cocktail bars, I had to try their newest take on a negroni, the Gingerone. The floral, vanilla, and delicate drink contained VII Hills Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Select Bitter, Antica Formula, Tonka Bean, Ginger Rouge, and Lavender Bitter.
The bar also serves small plates. As a recommended pairing by the bartender with my negroni, I went for the plin (a type of pasta with meat) with truffle.
If somehow, the drinks list at Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation isn’t inventive enough for you, the proprietors also have a smaller bar nearby called Drinc. Different. The bar has even more creative drinks with crazy flavor combinations and wild ingredients featuring everything from Doritos to fish broth.
They also feature cocktail classes and consulting.
Address: Via Plinio, 32, 20129 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Drinc. Cocktail & Conversation
Address: Via Francesco Hayez, n. 13, 20129 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Drinc. Different
Website
Monkey Cocktail Bar
While many of my favorite cocktail bars in Milan are known for their luxurious vibes or inventive cocktails, I enjoyed Monkey Cocktail Bar for its lack of pretentiousness.
It’s a lively, relaxed place playing hip-hop beats. The menu includes traditional drinks as well as some of their own. Flavors tend to lean towards the tropical.
Since I was in the mood for something refreshing, I went for the Jungle Fizz, made from vodka, homemade sweet and sour, fresh pineapple, mint, and soda water.
It did exactly what I wanted.
Address: Via Napo Torriani, 5, 20124 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
If craft beer is more your style, here are my favorite craft beer bars and breweries in Milan.
Here are some great Milan tours & things to see & do in Milan.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out these Milan hotels.
