Top Milan Bars for Fashion-Conscious Aperitivo Enjoyment

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

Milan, Italy, is currently experiencing a renaissance in its nightlife scene, with a wave of new cocktail bars and aperitivo spots opening. This transformation is not led by traditional hospitality groups, but by creatives such as film producers, models, chefs, and creative directors.

One such establishment is Section80 Bar, located at Via Carlo Farini, 44, 20159 Milano, Italy (@section80.bar). This minimal, Studio Wok-designed space overlooking the busy via Farini, has a focus on music. On quieter nights, it offers a relaxed atmosphere where patrons can peruse curated magazines or books, indulge in natural wine and simple aperitivo snacks, or watch a film on the LED screen. DJs from Milan and abroad take up residence in Section80 Bar several times each week.

Another notable establishment is Lubna, located at Via Vezza d'Oglio, 14, 20139 Milano, Italy (lubnamilano.com). Lubna features a brutalist-inspired interior by Florence’s Q-bic studio, with moody black walls, low-slung leather furniture, and concrete floors. Chef Enrico Croatti curates the menu at Lubna, focusing on both raw and fire-grilled dishes. The bar also boasts a vast cocktail list in addition to its food offerings.

In the Isola neighbourhood, Dexter Soundbites is a 25-seat restaurant and listening bar where food and music share the spotlight. It is designed to resemble a library, with wood-lined walls and hundreds of sleeves of records on display.

Ultramarino, located at Via Lambro, 9, 20129 Milano, Italy (@ultramarino), offers an excellent Sicilian-inspired seafood tapas menu and focuses on natural wines. The stripped-back interior lends itself to an informal vibe, with raw concrete walls, stainless steel room dividers, and wire metal shelving showcasing over 200 bottles sourced from across the Mediterranean.

Bene Bene, overlooking Porta Venezia's Morgagni Park, is a listening bar with expertly crafted drinks by Morris Maramaldi. It is located at Via Giovanni Battista Morgagni, 31, 20129 Milano, Italy (bene-bene.it).

The momentum was solidified by a four-night-long event held by fashion designer Massimo Giorgetti last year, called 'I Bar di Quartiere'. This event highlighted the growing trend of creative professionals opening bars in Milan.

Bar Nico, a staple for the Acquabella neighbourhood, located at Via Cesare Saldini, 2, 20133 Milano, Italy; its website is barnicomilano.com, rounds up our list of new bars in Milan.

While specific information about which creative professional groups operate the most new pubs recently opened in Milan is not readily available, it is clear that the city's nightlife scene is undergoing a significant transformation, with a new generation of creatives leading the charge.