If Milan is the Italian capital of cocktails, the Navigli is its Broadway. No other neighborhood offers such a density of clubs. All this has led the various neighbors, especially in recent years, to challenge each other with refinement, particularity and convenience of the drink list.
GinO12, a gin-bar opened in 2014, boasts of being the first of its kind in Milan, in a continuous dialogue with the adjacent Officina 12 restaurant.
The counter and tables carve out an insert inside a first large room. The result is a cohesive but at the same time independent space that manages to evoke a feeling of relaxation. Passing through the bar you will feel at ease whether you have come for a quick aperitif or have decided to stop and open your stomach before sitting down for dinner. The reception is that of a refined and attentive place for the customer. At the same time, the menu keeps clear that education is a virtue to be exercised mutually and therefore it is required to respect a few but rigorous rules. The main one is that the GinO12 will only serve cocktails made with gin.
The distillate par excellence is not only the owner’s passion but also a choice made to validate a product that is rarely compared to the Italian tradition. To date, GinO12 has over 130 varieties of gin in store, including a selection of Italian origin. From Sunday to Thursday, it is possible to carry out tastings at a relatively modest price with the possibility of being followed by expert mixologists to deepen your knowledge about one of the most loved spirits. For mixing enthusiasts, the menu changes seasonally and is taken care of in every detail.
Currently, the centennial of Campari is being celebrated, therefore you will find several captivating reworkings of the Negroni, together with spicy drinks with aloe vera and ginger. The atmosphere is warm and muffled. There’s a familiar feeling given by the exposed bricks, the background jazz and the seals that fill the counter making it like a charming grocery store. For those wishing to enjoy the environment in a more intimate way, some tables allow you to relax both indoors and, in the summer, in the adjacent courtyard.
It almost seems to be still in a space where time remains just “suspended” wrapped in the pampering of the staff between the noise of a shaker and the pleasure of an dried orange. In short, it’s an experience that involves all five senses. We recommend a visit from GinO12 to anyone who wants to stop for a moment to reflect, even just to breathe a sigh of happy relief, enjoying an intriguing aperitif that can be invigorating both physically and intellectually.