Where to go for Milanese happy hour
Everyone knows that Milan is famous for its aperitivo, namely happy hour. Around 6.30pm – 7pm bars get flooded with locals who are ready to indulge in yummy food paired with cocktails, wine and beer. And if you’re visiting Milan, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t dive into this culinary treat! Keep reading, I’ve listed some of the best bars for aperitivo in Milan.
Rebelot del Pont
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 55 (Navigli)Wednesday – Saturday from 6pm – 2am / Sunday from 12pm – 12am / Monday from 6pm – 2am
Tasting menu (3, 5, 7 plates): €18 / €35 / €48
You know what happens when you go to a happy hour buffet? People hoard over the food. And guess who never gets the food she wants. Yes, you guessed right: me. So it’s not really my fault if over the years I haven’t become a huge happy hour buffet fan. I’m not saying that all happy hour buffets are a terrible idea, but lots of them are. That’s why I’d rather spend a bit more, but get exactly what I want. And if you’re in the Navigli district, and you’re not a fan of happy hour buffets, head to Rebelot del Pont. At Rebelot del Pont things are done the old-fashion way. Meaning you sit down, you order a drink, and then you can also choose from a variety of different happy hour formulas. Gourmet formulas! Apart from yummy cold-cuts, cheeses, homemade grissini and olives, there are three different tasting menus made up of 3, 5 or 7 small tasting portions that you can choose from or have created by the chef. So while you sip your yummy cocktail, glass of wine or prosecco, you get to taste delicious dishes that’ll get your taste buds tingling! All this while being immersed in a relaxed atmosphere, covered in wood and bricks that creates a cozy setting, and with a kitchen bar where you can sit down and see the chefs in action!
N’Ombra de Vin
Via S. Marco, 2(Brera)Monday – Sunday from 10am – 2am
€10-30
Sipping great wine surrounded by countless wine bottles is every wine lovers’ dream. While there are lots of wineries where you can sip wine surrounded by wine bottles, most of them aren’t like this one. While during the day N’ombra de Vin is a relaxing place to taste yummy food paired with exceptional wines, from happy hour till the after hours it transforms itself into one of those super cool wine bars where music, wine, and food are the protagonists. The atmosphere is dynamic, frequented by people of all ages, from university students to older adults. On the weekend N’Ombra de Vin is the place to be, especially on Thursday night, with great drinks and live music that will make you dance on tables. It’s set on two floors, but the best part is the underground area: a big space with a magnificent collection of almost 3000 wine bottles! The underground looks like an antique wine cellar and its vaulted ceilings, beautiful columns and wine bottles coming from all around the world create a fantastic atmosphere. The highlight at N’Ombra de Vin are its delicious happy-hours, with excellent wine glasses or bottles accompanied by pizza, cheeses, olives, cold cuts and much more. Apart from extraordinary wine bottles, you can also order from a selection of dishes that accompany your wine to perfection.
Mag Cafè
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43 (Navigli)Monday – Sunday from 8am – 2am
€8-10
Milan has many different shades. For those that want to relax and enjoy a cocktail in a retro-style bar in the lively Navigli district, MAG Cafe is the place to go. Breakfast, lunch, happy hour or after dinner cocktails, it’s always the perfect time to stop by MAG. The cocktails are seriously good, created by two bartenders who really love their jobs. At MAG Cafe you will find a sophisticated selection of cocktails that will blow you away, each served in unique glasses bought from different places around the world. Let’s just say that if you’re into mixology, you’ve stepped in the master’s door. But it’s not only the cocktails that are wooing in the customers, the whole vibe at MAG Cafe is super cool, with jazzy sounds floating around. It has this mix of Parisian 1930s style with a somewhat unusual mix of objects and furniture. The result? Bohemian and just perfect. From the frames hanging off the walls, to the dimmed lights and books, to the SUPER COOL wooden bar counter showcasing the countless liquor bottles, everything mixes together to create that cozy yet cool atmosphere.
Dry
Via Solferino, 33 (Brera)Monday – Sunday from 7pm – 1.30am
€8-20
Dry has become one of those trendy meeting points in Milan’s Brera district for a delicious aperitivo, an after-dinner drink or to simply taste some yummy Neapolitan-style pizza. Apart from the cool background music floating in the air, Dry’s whole design gives it an edge. The unrefined stucco, the stripped walls and the simple and rough colors give it a retro style that instantly creates a cool mood. One side of Dry is dedicated to the bar area with a beautiful bar counter where the bartender puts on a show with his cocktail-making skills. The other side is dedicated to the pizzeria, where a more simple yet modern style comes to life. The cocktails are absolutely delicious, the selection is vast with a lot of creative drinks and with a section dedicated to the “vintage” and “forgotten” cocktails that will blow you away. Forget about your typical Aperol Spritz or Mojito, dive into the unknown and have the bartender lure you with some new recipes! Wine lovers, Dry hasn’t forgotten about you, there is a good wine selection as well, but I definitely recommend you try the cocktails! For happy hour, you will be served some finger-food along with your cocktail, or you can order from the menu some fresh bruschette or focacce to accompany your drink. If you want to prolong your stay, order those yummy pizzas with additional seasonings such as raw cured ham aged 24 months, oven baked prosciutto.
Radio Rooftop Bar
Piazza della Repubblica, 13 (Repubblica)Monday – Sunday from 7pm – 1am
Cocktails €15-18
Radio Rooftop Milan is one of the coolest places to have aperitivo. Located on the 10th floor of the five-star hotel ME Milan Il Duca , you know you’re in for a great experience from the moment you step inside the elevator. When you arrive to the hotel lobby, go down the hall and to the left and you will find an elevator labeled “D” that will take you to the hotel’s 10th floor. As the elevator doors open, the dimmed lights, hip background music and cool contemporary setting immediately grab you and set the tone. No reservations are taken, so I suggest you don’t arrive after 7pm (especially if you’re a large group). As you are taken to your seat, the beautiful Milanese skyline unfolds, and during the good season, the beautiful rooftop terrace is open and offers the perfect spot to enjoy the skyline. The cocktails at Radio Rooftop Milan are creative and delicious. I ordered the Passion Me and a French 75, while my sister had an Aperol Spritz and a Mojito. Our friends had prosecco. The aperitivo comes with some yummy finger food, but you can also order from a selection of delicious snacks. The fried sage and the pumpkin cream with pop corn are wonderful.
Ceresio 7
Via Ceresio, 7Monday – Sunday from 12pm – 1am
Cocktails €15-18
Rooftop bars have been the IT places for a long time now. You’d expect the trend to go away but honestly, what beats a great cocktail paired with a panoramic view? And Milan has a few rooftop terraces that are definitely worth the try. One of the trendiest ones is located in the historical Enel building and overlooks the Milanese Financial District. Oh, and it has been designed with the touch of Dean and Dan! This rooftop terrace is Ceresio 7, and for those that like to dine in a cool atmosphere, Ceresio 7 also has an Italian restaurant serving delicious seafood, meat and pasta dishes with a contemporary twist.e. But to be honest, happy hour or after-dinner drinks are the real deal at Ceresio 7. First off, the setting is wonderful, there are two swimming pools and you get to enjoy your drinks by the pool in a refined ambiance. During winter, the outdoor area is heated, but there is also a nice indoor lounge where you can enjoy your drinks. There are background vibes floating in the air and the whole atmosphere is just perfect. For happy hour, along with your drinks you will be served some homemade chips, small seafood tartares, olives and other finger food. But you may also order something from the happy hour menu.
