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Fashionable Aperitivo Spots in Milan's Top Bars

Milan's post-dark rejuvenation is apparent in the surge of stylish, design-focused cocktail bars emerging citywide, offering ideal atmospheres for tempting pre-dinner drinks and late-night beverages

Top Milan Bars for Chic Pre-Dinner Drinks Experience
Top Milan Bars for Chic Pre-Dinner Drinks Experience

Fashionable Aperitivo Spots in Milan's Top Bars

Milan's Nightlife Renaissance: A New Wave of Cocktail Bars and Aperitivo Spots

Milan, Italy, is experiencing a renaissance in its nightlife scene, with a wave of new cocktail bars and aperitivo spots opening. This transformation is spearheaded by creatives such as film producers, models, chefs, and creative directors, moving away from traditional hospitality groups.

One such staple is Bar Nico, located at Via Cesare Saldini, 2, 20133 Milano. Known for its simple wooden bistro seating, concrete walls, and stainless steel fixtures, Bar Nico has become a beacon for the Acquabella neighborhood.

In the Isola neighborhood, Dexter Soundbites, designed by DDSarchitettura, offers a 25-seat restaurant and listening bar. English-Italian chef Giovanni DeNardi, who blends his passions for Japanese, Peruvian, and Mexican cooking with his love of vinyl, oversees the menu. The interior, inspired by a library, features wood-lined walls and hundreds of sleeves of records proudly on display.

Ultramarino, which opened its doors in 2024, focuses on natural wines and an excellent Sicilian-inspired seafood tapas menu. The stripped-back interior lends itself to an informal vibe, with raw concrete walls, stainless steel room dividers, and wire metal shelving.

Section80 Bar, located at Via Carlo Farini, 44, 20159 Milano, is another hotspot. Its central focus is music, with DJs from Milan and abroad playing several times each week. On quieter nights, it offers space to relax, peruse magazines or books, indulge in natural wine, and simple aperitivo snacks.

Lubna, located at Via Vezza d'Oglio, 14, 20139 Milano, is a cocktail bar, restaurant, and listening lounge. Its brutalist-inspired interior by Florence’s Q-bic studio creates a unique ambience. Chef Enrico Croatti curates a menu focusing on both raw and fire-grilled dishes.

Lastly, Bene Bene, located at Via Giovanni Battista Morgagni, 31, 20129 Milano, revolves around a sound system designed by co-founder Giorgio Di Salvo and is a late-night destination for the fashion and design set. Its interior, designed by architect Luca Toniolo, features slate grey walls, a dark-stained wooden bar, stainless steel furniture, and contemporary artwork by the likes of Dario Guccio, Emanuele Marcuccio, and Daniele Milvio.

While details about the entrepreneurs behind these new bars are scarce, one thing is certain: Milan's nightlife scene is undergoing a significant transformation, offering a fresh and exciting array of options for locals and visitors alike.

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