Whether Milan, Venice, Bologna, and Turin, Combo is always a dependable choice. Serving as both hostels and bars, they also offer rooms to study or work in, and are always set in pleasant surroundings—an island of green, even in the grey of Milan. Equally, Combo is the perfect place to chat with a friend over a drink while gentle music plays in the background.
Ripa di Porta Ticinese 83
Ronin
When people talk about the Ronin, which opened in 2022, they are referring to the entire building in Milan’s Chinatown which looks like a futuristic gateway—and the place that portal leads is definitely Japan. Each floor of the building offers something different, including a karaoke lounge, a restaurant, or a cocktail bar. On the ground floor, there is a tavern and listening bar where vinyl collectors take care of the music selection, above it’s a Japanese fine dining restaurant, and on the floor above that, there’s a hidden cocktail bar dedicated to Japanese mixology—perfect for having an aperitif before it turns into a karaoke bar later in the evening.
Via Alfieri 17
Pasticceria Cucchi
At Pasticceria Cucchi, people are sometimes more likely to order Martinis than coffee—but since 1930 it has been serving both. Cucchi is another historic establishment that is a must-visit if you want to experience the old-school Milanese way of life, as it has been handed down one glass at a time. Family-run for three generations, at its tables on the Corso Genova you can order pastries and a coffee in the morning, and later—until it closes at 9.30 p.m.—a well-made cocktail.
Corso Genova 1
Lido Liquor Bar
Lido Liquor Bar is located in the beautiful Piazzale Cantore, just a stone’s throw from the Navigli and the city center, but not so close that you feel crowded. Here, you can order either a cocktail or wine without any judgment. (Many bars in Milan are decidedly in one camp or the other when it comes to the question of cocktails versus wine.) It begins as a low-key spot for hanging out and catching up with friends, then, as the evening draws on, it reveals another side of itself as a nightclub—and soon, the dancing begins.
Piazzale Cantore 4
Palinurobar
Photo: Courtes