Best Cocktails in Milan (5 Spots You Don't Want to Miss!)

Looking for the best cocktails in Milan? I’ve got you covered! Going out for cocktails is one of the best things to do in Milan and one of our favorite activities when we travel in general. Even if you’re just spending the weekend in Milan, make sure you make time for a cocktail or two in one (or more) of these iconic spots!

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Best cocktails in Milan

#1 Gauche Caviar

Step into the ultimate in bohemian chic in this cozy little cocktail bar decorated with vintage treasures and serving fabulous cocktails. Perfect for sipping and people watching!

This cocktail bar is small but filled with ambiance. It is Milanese with a French twist.

orange cocktails with a slice of lemon - one of the best cocktails in Milan

#2 Bar Basso

No “best cocktail bars in Milan” list would be complete without Bar Basso! Bar Basso is the ultimate in iconic, historic, Milanese chic!

It is also a place I hold very close to my heart because I used to spend a lot of time there in my twenties during the couple of years when I spent the weekdays living in Paris and the weekends living in Milan.

I have so many fond memories there and I was so excited to bring Hugo and experience one of my favorite spots from my twenties with him!

The Negroni Sbagliato was invented here so make sure you try it! Ask for their signature massive “calice” cup for the best, and most authentic, experience.

woman sitting at Bar Basso one of the best cocktail bars in Milan

Take a peek inside Bar Basso here!

(See inside the bar, learn more about the history of the Negroni Spagliato, see the giant version they serve at Bar Basso and learn how to make your own at home!)

#3 Les Rouges

Originally a cocktail bar from Genova, Les Rouges now has a location in Milan as well.

This is the perfect spot to bring your love, to go on a date, to meet up with friends. If you are looking for a cozy spot with the one you love, try to snag the cute table next to the window.

Come here for bites from Liguria such as focaccia with Cima Genovese (veal sweetbread stuffed with vegetables and cheese). A Spritz Genovese (vermouth, lemon, Prosecco and basil) is one of the best cocktails to order here.

Drinks at Les Rouges in Milan Two cocktails

#4 Mag Café and Back Door 43

Mag Café is in the hip Navigli area along the canal. It has a cozy, vintage feeling – exactly what we love when we travel! It feels like stepping into the Milan of the past.

Behind the Mag Café is Back Door 43, owned by the same team, a reservation-only cocktail tasting experience in the self-proclaimed “World’s smallest bar”.

Reserve a time slot and enjoy an exclusive cocktail made especially for you from your private bartender. Make sure you reserve ahead of time because only 3-4 people can actually fit inside the bar. It’s that tiny!

Take a peek inside Back Door 43 in the video below!

#5 Lacerba

Lacerba is an iconic restaurant and cocktail bar in Milan.

One side of the property is dedicated to the restaurant, while the other side is the fun cocktail bar.

Of all the bars on this list, this one is definitely the most festive, especially if you come on the weekend although the Milanese love to go out any night of the week, so it won’t be much quieter during the week.

It isn’t huge and tables fill up quickly, so go early to avoid having to wait too long to get a table. When we went we walked up just as two people were getting up and snagged the only free table in the entire bar. (Don’t you just love when you get lucky like that!)

Inside of Lacerba one of the best cocktail bars in Milan

Where to stay in Milan

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Max Brown Hotel Missori – modern design hotel perfectly located close to the Duomo.
Petit Palais Hotel de Charme – this charming hotel is a converted 17th century convent, conveniently located in central Milan. Take advantage of your stay there to have a drink in front of the fireplace in the salon!
Hotel Vittoria – this hotel is bursting with nostalgic charm! Guests rave about the hotel breakfast, so this could be the hotel for you if you love a great hotel breakfast to start your day.
Chateau Monfort – this is where we stayed the last time we booked a hotel in Milan. The design is fun and whimsical and the hotel is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World. If you stay here, make sure to leave time during your trip to go for a drink at the beautiful hotel bar. It’s a highlight for sure!

Activities to book in advance in Milan

Visit the Duomo Milan – make sure you visit the iconic Duomo complex in Milan including the beautiful rooftop with one of the best views in the city!
See Leonardo’s Da Vinci’s Last Supper – visit one of the most famous paintings in the world tucked away in a tiny little church in Milan.
Visit La Scala – schedule a visit to one of the World’s most spectacular opera houses.
Milan Food Tour – no trip is complete without adding a food tour to your itinerary.
Day trip to Lake Como and Lugano – explore two of the most stunning places closed to Milan with ease by joining this small group organized tour.