The Best Underground Bars In Milan, Italy

Sign up to RAD news

Rad’s Guide To The Best Underground Bars In Milan

Architecturally speaking, Milan is arguably uglier than the rest of her Italian sisters. Built in a rush during the economic boom of the 60’s, the city has risen fast and angrily and hasn’t stopped growing yet. Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples may be the tourist’s favourites, but Milan is undeniably the economic and creative heart of Italy. Milan sparkles creativity, energy and ambition. The city never sleeps, nor do its hyperactive inhabitants, too busy “a fatturare” (invoicing): the local religion in a city fueled by money, ego and large quantities of cocaine. Money might be king in Milan, but the city is also the capital of Italian design, fashion and creativity in general. Which is also a perfect mix for great parties, and since the 80’s Milan has been renowned for her lavish night scene. Back in the days, a famous copywriter coined the expression “Milano da bere,” literally “Milano to drink,” to define the hedonist bar scene of the city. Nowadays there’s not a lot left of those glorious clubs that defined an era of prosperity and self-indulgence, but the night scene and bars in Milan are still alive and pumping.

VINTAGE FEEL BARS IN MILAN

Nottingham Forest 

Nottingham Forest is the quintessential Milanese bar. Widely regarded as one of the top venues in the city, it is often listed among the world’s best bars. Here reality is suspended and the customers drink in an imaginary world that reminds of the deep-sea fishing of Hemingway on the Pilar.

The wide cocktail selection by Dario Commi, the house barman, has been listed as one of the best in the world. Nottingham Forest is the ultimate place to go for experimental cocktails so find a table, choose a drink and enjoy the wonderful décor.

Nottingham Forest – Viale Piave, 1, 20129 Milan
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6.30 pm-02:00 am

Birrificio di Lambrate

The Birrificio is the most iconic brewery of Milan. It showcases the best craft beers in town, super skilled and heavy tattooed bartenders, loud music and a mixed crowd that invades half of via Adelchi. They have also opened a new branch in via Golgi, but the one in via Adelchi remains the grittier and more authentic.

Birrificio Lambrate -Via Privata Adelchi, 5 • Milano
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6.00 pm-02:00 am

Cascina Martesana

The Cascina is perched on one of Milan famous canals, the Naviglio Martesana. It’s an old farmhouse converted into a bar, music venue and alternative meeting place. Here you can chill on the sofas and the hammocks of the garden, under a roof of leaves and fairy lights. A small members fee is required to access the chill-out area, but it is totally worth it.

Cascina Martesana – Via Luigi Bertelli, 44 • Milano
Opening Hours: open exclusively in summer from Monday to Sunday, 17:00 pm-02:00 am

Circolo dei combattenti e reduci


Circolo dei combattenti e reduci literally means “Club of fighters and veterans.” It is a piece of old Milan, opened in 1918 for the veterans of the First World War. Today you’ll find wrinkled faces and smoke-yellowed hands but also a younger crowd. The club is still cool, the drinks are old fashioned and cheap and the backyard is always busy.

Circolo dei combattenti e reduci – Via A. Volta, 23 • Milano
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 am-01:00 am

ARTSY BARS IN MILAN

Frida Café


Tucked in the heart of Isola district, one of the most trendy areas for good drinks and good food, Frida is a colourful hideout for artists and wannabes. Its leafy terrace is perfect for after work drinks or cigarettes and beers, a city favourite mix. This artsy venue also hosts monthly craft and vintage markets.

Frida Cafè – Via A. Pollaiuolo, 3 • Milano
Opening hours: Closed on Tuesdays, 12:00-15:00 / 18:00-02:00

Bar Luce

The bar of the Fondazione Prada, (Miuccia Prada’s cutting-edge contemporary art gallery) is a vintage jewel designed by Wes Anderson. The cult director paid tribute to the old school Milanese bars, and the result is a vintage masterpiece made of chromed surfaces and pastel colours. Join the crowds for a 7 pm aperitivo with Campari and try one of the über famous pastries of world-renown chef Gualtiero Marchesi.

Bar Luce – Largo Isarco, 2 • Milano
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am-10:00 pm

Santeria Paladini

Refined live music in a comfy living room or cold beers under the pergola in the courtyard. This is Santeria, one of the trendiest venues in East Milan. The burgers are amazing and the brunch massive. Come early: by 10pm the music is over.

Santeria – via E. Paladini, 8 • Milano
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 11.00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., Friday -Saturday 11.00 a.m. – 11.00 p.m., Sunday 11.00 a.m. – 10.30 p.m. Monday closed. 

UNDERGROUND CLUBING SCENE IN MILAN

Centro Sociale Leoncavallo


Leoncavallo is the most historical and the most significant of Italian “social centres,” the politically active and culturally relevant squats. An essential city stage for everything underground, it is famous for its Drum N Bass nights but it has recently opened up to the latest trends in electronic music.

C.S. Leoncavallo – Via A. Watteau, 7 • Milano

Macao


The latest addition to the city squats, Macao is an occupied ex-slaughter house. Here you can find live music, artistic performances, poetry slams, meetings, yoga and politics. Usually the last stop of the party crowd, Macao’s parties can go on till the wee hours of the morning.

This place never disappoints with its deep electronic music played every weekend on three different stages: the huge liberty hall, a darker and smokier back room and the green backyard, where you can dance under the fairy lighted trees.

Macao – Viale Molise, 28 • Milano
Opening hours: check the party schedule

Plastic


This iconic club has been part of the Milanese clubbing scene since the 80’s. It’s a crossroad of art, fashion and music: from Keith Haring to Andy Warhol, this underground club has seen some of the best designers, artists, directors dancing under its strobe lights. Home of some of the best electronic parties in town,

Plastic has recently changed location. A new venue for new crowds, but the music and cocktails selection is still great. When leaving don’t miss the sandwiches of the local food trucks parked outside of its doors. The “panino con la salamella” – a sausage sandwich – is an Italian late night classic munchie.

Discoteca Plastic – Via Gargano, 15 • Milano
Opening hours: check the party schedule here

Discover more underground bars here:

The Best Bars, Cafes and Restaurants in Banff, Canada

The Best Bars in Tokyo: Rad Nights In Japan’s Capital

The Best Bars and Restaurants In Canggu Bali

Underground Bars In Bangkok: Thailand’s Hidden Nightlife

Rad Days: The Best Bars In New York

Accommodation near Milan

Rad Season is providing you with rentals and hotels at the lowest prices available online. Book your stay near Milan using the map below!

Sign up to RAD news

Sabrina Trevisan

Sabrina Trevisan is a freelance web editor and copywriter based, for now, in Milan. After studying in Paris, she decided to move to the southern hemisphere to work and travel extensively through Australia, South East Asia and India. Now back in Milan, she plans to return fully nomad soon. Her personal career goal is to be able to work with Italian customers from the Pacific Ocean shores.

    Comments

    Leave a comment


    The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

    X

    RAD ACCESS PASS

    Subscribe for the latest action sports, adventure, crazy carnivals and music festivals, news, travel tips and giveaways!

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    Rad Season
    Rad Season
    Top