Cocktail bars with music in Milan
'She is not like the others': fine music and fine drinking for an evening out with a twist
We usually talk about Saturday night fever, but in Milan you will find someone looking for a night out all week long, even on a Monday or Tuesday evening. The city leads a double life: an elegant professional by day and an intriguing rebel by night, lit only by the neon glow of bar signs. There is no shortage of spots to chat quietly with friends over a backdrop of blues music, or to settle into a secluded booth in an intimate late-night venue where carefree hours slip by in seconds.
Milan offers plenty of addresses for a night out with friends: mixology destinations where, from time to time, the rhythm of the cocktail shaker is not the only melody you will hear. From jazz quartets and piano melodies to electronic music and Afro House, Flawless steps in as the friend who says, ‘Don’t worry, I know a place…’ Here is our guide to the bars in Milan where you can enjoy quality cocktails alongside great music.
Moebius
Via Alfredo cappellini, 25
Tapas bistro, cocktail bar, experimental restaurant and record store: look up ‘versatile’ in the dictionary and you might just find Moebius. Joking aside, its many facets make it a favourite on the city’s social circuit from late morning until well into the night. Lively and youthful, this spot wins over Milan’s nightlife with aromatic cocktails and unexpected flavour combinations. What’s more, every Monday and Thursday from 8pm to 10pm, dinner or drinks are accompanied by live jazz, blues, swing and bossa nova.
Officina Milano
Via Giovenale, 7
Just steps from the bustling Navigli, Officina Milano is an elegant spot where attentive staff and retro decor evoke Milan in the ’50s, when chivalry was the norm and gleaming vintage cars and motorbikes sped (so to speak) over the city’s cobblestones. On the brand-new ‘Colors’ cocktail list, you will find signature drinks crafted by the expert bartenders at Officina—crystal-clear creations that win you over from the first sip, best enjoyed from the leather sofas or out on the circus-themed terrace. And since ordinary is never the style at Officina, music nights take a distinctive turn with the eclectic rhythms of Afro House.
Scott Bar
Viale Bianca Maria, 4
Set inside the four-star Bianca Maria Palace, not far from the Quadrilatero and Piazza V Giornate, Scott Bar is an eccentric spot for serious drinking. It may take some finding, but once discovered it quickly turns guests into regulars. This sleek cocktail bar with a tropical vibe offers a stylish setting for easy-going evenings, accompanied by live jazz played every Thursday evening by students from the Milan Conservatory. Scott Bar’s eclectic spirit extends from the indoor lounges to two outdoor terraces. Here, resident bartender Dado showcases his craft, balancing classic cocktails and creative recipes honed alongside the renowned Filippo Sisti.
Cà-ri-co
Via Savona,1
Cà-ri-co [Casual – Risto – Cocktail] is designed for anyone looking for character: a venue to enjoy inventive cocktails in a magnetic setting where nothing is left to chance. The project from Dom Carella, Lorenzo Ferraboschi and Andrea Bassi introduces an innovative concept of casual drinking & dining. Originality, skill and quality behind both the bar and the kitchen have filled the reservation book and earned critical acclaim. Named a Best Discovery by The World’s 50 Best and Miglior Cocktail Bar d’Italia for Lombardy by Gambero Rosso, Cà-ri-co pairs top-tier drinks with a refined electronic soundtrack tailored to the venue’s distinctive style.
Eppol Pie
Via Lecco, 4
Just moments from the Porta Venezia metro stop, Eppol Pie is an informal bistro and cocktail bar made for relaxed evenings with friends. Table lamps, wall mirrors and quirky wallpaper set the mood around the glowing counter that serves as the bartenders’ domain. From their shakers come quality serves, such as the Carotonic (a twist on the Gin Tonic made with carrot juice), Burning Bark (vermouth, dark mezcal and Angostura bitters) or Darth Fennel (rum, sherry, fennel, grapefruit and an absinthe mist). If you are looking for music, Eppol Pie never disappoints. What to expect? Good vibes all day long!
The Doping Bar
Piazza Ventiquattro maggio, 8
Set in a prime position on the banks of the Darsena, The Doping Bar is the lounge bar of the four-star hotel Aethos. Rooted in the theme of travel, the spacious room reflects trips the bartending team took across Europe, picking up techniques, sourcing ingredients and finding inspiration for new combinations. The star of the cocktail list is the Negroni Mezcal, a twist on the Florentine classic where oak-aged mezcal replaces gin for a completely fresh flavour profile. Occasionally, The Doping Bar also hosts acoustic guitar sets and small live bands.
