LUDO Dine & Vibe 
3 Gluten-Free Pastry Shops in Milan 
Exploring the best cocktail bars in Milan is already a memorable experience in itself, but doing so when the city lights up and adorns itself for the festive season is truly magical. Whether it’s for organising a corporate aperitif before the holidays or surprising your partner with a charming secret spot, Milan and its venues are ideal for finally leaving behind the year’s struggles and enjoying the last weeks with a smile—and above all, with an excellent cocktail in hand, crafted ad hoc by skilled Milanese bartenders.
If you are more inspired by intimate and atmospheric venues, unexpected drink lists, highly glamorous locales, or enticing new arrivals in the city, the capital of Lombardy is ready to meet all your needs—especially if you follow Flawless’s guide to 8 cocktail bars in Milan to try this December.
SALMON GURU
Via Ezio Biondi, 4
Highly anticipated by the vibrant world of international mixology, just as we eagerly await Christmas, the Spanish cocktail bar Salmon Guru has finally arrived in Milan, following its locations in Madrid and Dubai. Ranked 23rd in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Bars, Salmon Guru is youthful, fun, very Instagrammable, and, of course, a promoter of the most creative and high-level mixology, featuring its signature cocktails and creations specifically crafted for Milan. Diego Cabrera, its founder, shares how Salmon Guru in Milan replicates some of the interior design ideas already implemented in Madrid and Dubai. Prepare not only your palate for surprises served in glasses but also your phones because, between rooms with vivid colours and prints, neon lights, and their secret room, the Tropical Speakeasy, with colourful sofas and armchairs, you’ll have a blast capturing your evening for the ‘gram. A perfect pre-Christmas evening with delightful shots in every sense.
OFFICINA MILANO
Via Giovenale, 7
A courtyard in Via Giovenale 7, in a somewhat hidden Milan near the Navigli and Porta Ticinese, is home to Officina Milano, a cocktail bar with a unique, captivating, and creative atmosphere that naturally blends the art of mixology with timeless retro elegance. This is a truly special spot waiting to be discovered while sipping one of their signature cocktails from the new Shape drink list, designed for the colder season, or while enjoying a delicious Sunday brunch. At Officina Milano, the food & beverage offering is all about taste and creativity, while the design tells of wonders from other eras. This venue’s magnetic charm makes it a true gem in the city, and the perfect destination for aperitifs or after-dinner drinks to toast the upcoming holidays and the new year.
BAOBAR
Via Bartolomeo Eustachi, 24
If your excitement for the festive season is unstoppable, Baobar is the perfect place to kick off the celebrations. Its “Taste and Good Time” concept is simple yet fundamental when it comes to socialising and nightlife, embodying a world of passion, research, and quality. At this cocktail bar, located on lively Via Eustachi, not far from Città Studi, each cocktail becomes a tasting experience. This is thanks to a constantly evolving menu of refined drinks and original homemade mixes, selected by professional bartenders. All of this is paired with a curated selection of food, influenced by ethnic flavours (don’t miss their take on pad thai) and including burgers and platters, perfect for sharing during an aperitif or for a relaxed dinner. The vibrant mix of good music and a lively yet relaxed mood creates an irresistible winning combination, perfect for getting into the festive spirit.
MAG LA PUSTERLA
Via Edmondo de Amicis, 22
An iconic spot in Milan where the historic Pusterla café once stood, Mag La Pusterla, a flagship venue of the Mag family led by Flavio Angiolillo, is a small treasure chest of taste with the charm of Milan’s past. Perfect for a period that calls for very cozy environments like December, the venue recreates the typical atmospheres of Milan’s historic bars: rich in charm and personality, it welcomes you into its universe dedicated to authentic good food and expertly crafted mixology. It maintains the original furnishings of the previous establishment, spreading that ever-appreciated atmosphere of Old Milan. Delight your palate in a timeless setting and let yourself be captivated by that retro touch that makes it truly unique.
KILBURN
Via Panfilo Castaldi, 25
Take the unmistakable Milanese style of creating excellent cocktail bars, add a forever cool British touch, and the result is Kilburn, the fascinating cocktail bar of Porta Venezia. A sophisticated lounge with dim lighting, tartan patterns, vintage photographs, and the expertise of a mixology that focuses on its drinks with a profound search for premium ingredients and alcohol bases, favouring high-end spirits and liqueurs to pair with seasonal ingredients with refined olfactory notes. If you’re searching for the perfect place for an elegant gathering to enjoy a delightful time, exchange greetings and gifts for Christmas, Kilburn is the perfect location for your festive meetups.
EPPOLINO
Via Melzo, 28
An aperitif or a post-dinner drink, marked by Latin notes, specifically Mexican, permeates the atmosphere of this cocktail bar in Porta Venezia, Eppolino, the younger sibling of the Eppol family. A cosy and intimate cocktail bar whose warm Latin spirit is reflected in its inviting food offering, distinctive furnishings, and especially in a creative drinks list, unveiled through a set of tarot cards created for each cocktail. A stone counter immediately captures attention, drawing you into this Latin universe where enjoying drinks or small gastronomic dishes becomes an enthralling new experience—especially as Christmas approaches and you’re looking for the perfect spot to welcome the festive season.
TERRAZZA DUOMO 21
P.za del Duomo, 21
Admiring Piazza Duomo from above, with its magnificent Christmas tree as the undisputed protagonist, is an unparalleled gift that, fortunately, Terrazza Duomo 21 can easily offer. With its spectacular terrace and refined indoor spaces, this Milanese cocktail bar stands out as one of the city’s most exclusive venues. Whether you’re taking a relaxing break, enjoying a business lunch, a lively aperitif on the terrace, or an evening of pre-Christmas greetings and goodbyes with friends, Terrazza Duomo 21 promises to deliver a quality experience full of warmth and conviviality. The comfortable lounges and large windows overlooking Piazza del Duomo are the perfect spot to relax, sip one of their expertly prepared cocktails, and take in the city of Milan from the top.
VESTA FIORI CHIARI
Via Fiori Chiari, 1/A
The Triple Sea Food group has given a glamorous and sophisticated edge to the beautiful Via Fiori Chiari in Brera, and among the three successful venues it has opened on this street is perhaps the most spectacular of all, Vesta Fiori Chiari. The captivating aesthetic of this restaurant and cocktail bar was designed by Stefano Belingardi, a young architect trained in Switzerland but born in Brera. The designer sought to gift the neighbourhood with a venue featuring a spacious entrance/terrace atop a staircase, offering the chance to dine or enjoy it as a lounge bar while soaking in the buzz of Via Fiori Chiari, which is more vibrant than ever during the Christmas season. The interiors, sober yet very elegant, also evoke the theme of a submarine, with purely design-focused elements.
