The best cocktail bars in Città Studi and Lambrate in Milan
One neighbourhood name gives the game away, but both Città Studi and Lambrate are home to bars well worth visiting before they become your go-to drinking spots
Città Studi is an area every student in Milan knows well. Its self-explanatory name gives it away: it is home to the main campus of Politecnico and the science faculties of the Università Statale di Milano. Unsurprisingly, it is also home to some of the city’s most famous and refined cocktail bars, including one that is genuinely legendary. Nor is it surprising that the crowd in Città Studi—not just students, but anyone who appreciates a top-tier drink—also gathers in nearby Lambrate, where inventive mixology, attentive service and stylish interiors go hand in hand in an area that continues to thrive. To help you choose, Flawless has rounded up the best cocktail bars in Lambrate and Città Studi in Milan. Here is where to head.
Milord Milano
Piazza Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Making guests feel as if they are in their own living room, looked after by expert bartenders late into the night: this is the philosophy of Cristian Lodi, owner of Milord Milano. Created for anyone drawn to the polished side of Milanese nightlife in Città Studi, Milord Milano effortlessly blends urban design with vintage touches, subtle lighting and lounge music. In its distinctive lounge, low tables and armchairs sourced from flea markets, retro signs and old radios set the scene for the real heart of the venue: a spacious, well-stocked bar where the team crafts elegant signature cocktails. The common thread across the drinks list is careful research, top-quality ingredients and a balance of classic and unusual elements, resulting in visually striking serves because presentation matters just as much as flavour.
Baobar
Via Bartolomeo Eustachi, 24
On Via Eustachi, not far from Città Studi, this cocktail bar turns every drink into something memorable. Baobar serves everything from classics to house favourites that have become trademarks, such as the Meeting, an energising blend of gin, lime, ginger beer, violet cream, rosemary syrup and ginger, and the Negroni Zen, a harmonious mix of gin, Rabarbaro Zucca, vanilla, Campari, ginger beer and orange bitters. For bolder flavours, the seasonal cocktail list is updated every six months with inventive creations that capture the venue’s spirit. The food menu matches the drinks, pairing global flavours with burgers and sharing platters that work equally well for aperitivo or an informal dinner, all in an easygoing space with great music and a lively mood.
Bar Basso
Via Plinio, 39
We have mentioned almost legendary spots, and now the time has come to talk about a historic bar and a true star of Milan’s nightlife, cherished for generations: Bar Basso. It was here in ’72 that, thanks to a mixing mistake by bartender Mirko Stocchetto, the famous Negroni Sbagliato was born, quickly becoming one of the most popular drinks across Italy and well beyond its borders. Yet that is not the only reason Bar Basso is one of the ultimate symbols of the so-called ‘Milan da bere’ (Milan’s 1980s aperitivo heyday): everyone has dropped in at least once, if only to experience a venue that helped make Milan famous and holds an essential chapter of its history. Bar Basso is much more than a cocktail bar; it is history, tradition and a local institution that seems timeless. Passing by in the evening, there is always a small crowd of regulars and newcomers sending a reassuring message: ‘Bar Basso will always be part of the beating heart of Milan’.
Norah Was Drunk
Via Nicola Antonio Porpora, 169
Opened in February 2022, Norah was drunk brought fresh energy to Lambrate with its retro French colonial aesthetic: an impressive green Guatemala marble counter sits alongside custom-made furniture crafted from reclaimed materials by Milanese workshop Controprogetto. In keeping with that decadent Parisian spirit, the drinks list revolves around a legendary spirit that once inspired Impressionist painters such as Manet and Degas: absinthe. It plays a starring role on the cocktail list and can also be enjoyed neat from a curated selection imported from Germany and France, served theatrically from a traditional absinthe fountain.
Fred
Via Francesco Ingegnoli, 2
Fred is a delightful find in Città Studi: a warm, inviting space with vintage charm that easily becomes a home away from home. From breakfast to late-night drinks, whether for lunch or simply to listen to good music, Fred is a gathering place for artists, musicians and vinyl enthusiasts. Cocktails are modern and creative, with regular specials behind the counter, while warmer months invite you to relax over a drink on the outdoor terrace. A noteworthy bonus: the bar has been environmentally conscious and completely plastic free since day one, meaning disposable straws are long forgotten.
Santeria Paladini 8
Via Privata Ettore Paladini, 8
One of the most popular leafy courtyards on Milan’s east side, this courtyard becomes a favourite backdrop for drinks and aperitivo during the warmer months. The historic Santeria Social Club di Via Paladini is an oasis for unwinding at the weekend after long days at work, though there is plenty more to discover. Tasty bites and well-crafted drinks mixed by expert bartenders keep things interesting with fresh, high-quality offerings. Santeria Paladini 8 is a cocktail bar, bistro, co-working hub and event space all in one. Versatile and eclectic, it enriches Lambrate, drawing people in for Milan’s nightlife as well as the neighbourhood’s creative community.
