Milan nightlife: Where to party in Milan

Milan nightlife is full of opportunities for any taste or budget. Discover the best places in Milan for an aperitivo or a party— whatever you fancy!

Angelina

5 minute read

·

Updated on 5 Sep 2024

·

Living

Milan stands out from the other Italian cities with its modernity, internationality, and exciting opportunities. It’s a city that never sleeps and caters to designers, artists, and business professionals alike. Of course, the city’s cosmopolitan vibe and cultural diversity are reflected in Milan’s nightlife. No wonder so many expats decide to explore rental homes in Milan!

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about Milan nightlife, from where to party in Milan to the best aperitivo spots in the city.

One of the first aspects of Milan nightlife you’ll probably consider as a new resident is: how safe is Milan at night? Milan is safe at all times, especially in the busier areas of the city. Of course, there’re some petty crimes like pickpocketing, particularly in tourist spots, but generally speaking, Milan is a pretty safe city to go out in at night.

Getting around Milan at night is very simple, with tram and bus lines that run well into the late hours. Avoid hanging around the stations on your own at night for too long, though. Even getting a taxi around Milan at night is pretty affordable. Until you get to know the city better, try not to drink too much so you can get home easily and safely.

Whether you come to Milan to study, work or retire, there’s something for everyone in Milan’s nightlife scene. The city offers every entertainment option possible, whether you prefer an aperitivo in a fancy cocktail bar or an all-night rave.

Nightlife in Milan is spread all over the city, so no matter which Milan neighbourhood you decide to call home, there’ll be some nightlife close by.

It’s often said that Italian work culture goes by the motto of “work hard, play hard”. You’ll often see Italians spilling onto bars and terraces after work to enjoy a glass of wine or a light cocktail in a beloved Italian tradition called aperitivo. This typically happens between 18:00 and 20:00, when you snack and drink the work day to a close.

Aperitivo bars often offer light snacks along with drinks. These can include cheeses, cured meats, pizza, and quiches. Refilling your plate without ordering another drink is considered rude, but these bites often substitute dinner for those living in Milan on a budget.

Now that you know how it works let’s see which are the best places in Milan for an aperitivo.

All round: Rita is one of Milan’s most well-known bars in Milan for an aperitivo. It offers bespoke cocktails and a laid-back atmosphere. Their menu ranges from classics like Negroni to their own specialities. The staff will even mix something based on your preferences. They serve small portions of unique appetisers like grilled octopus and aubergine.

For luxury: Dolce & Gabbana Bar Martini is located in the heart of Milan in Corso Venezia and offers a glamorous aperitivo experience. Its decor is incredible, with a refined design throughout the bar that serves as a reminder of the collaboration between the 2 brands. It’s a pricey place to go for an aperitivo, but if you feel like splashing out for a taste of Sicilian-inspired luxury, this is the place to go.

For views: Organics SkyGarden @Cielo is the place to go for an aperitivo with a view. This rooftop bar is not the cheapest option for your after-work aperitivo, but it’s the perfect place to take in the incredible Milan skyline. SkyGarden is on the 13th floor of the Hyatt Centric Milan Central Hotel in the Porta Garibaldi area. It’s open from May to October, and you’ll often hear live performances from DJs or other artists around sunset during the weekend.

For wine: N’Ombra de Vin is the ideal spot if you prefer wine for your aperitivo. This French-inspired wine bar is located in the refectory of an Augustinian convent in Brera](https://housinganywhere.com/Milan--Italy/brera). It has an enormous underground wine cellar and all the original infrastructure, giving an authentic vibe. They occasionally host wine tastings, parties, and live music here, too.

For a laidback vibe: Lacerba is a laidback chilled cocktail bar and restaurant in Porta Romana. The staff is super friendly and welcoming, and it gives a rustic vibe with low tables, muted lighting, and funky decor. It’s a popular spot and can get busy on the weekends, making the vibe even more intimate and social. They have a range of classic and speciality cocktails and plenty of classic Italian nibbles like bruschetta and focaccia.

Now that you know where to have a few relaxed drinks with your friends in Milan, it’s time to explore the party scene. Milan has a great club scene, with parties continuing until the early morning hours. There’re underground, LGBTQI+, VIP, and day clubs, so there’s something for everyone looking to party in Milan. Let’s highlight a few of the standout places.

Best underground club in Milan: Tempio del Futuro Perduto

Tempio del Futuro Perduto is one of Milan's most unique club venues. It’s part of a socio-cultural centre, so, by day, you’ll find a library, a charity donation room, a garden and a vinyl store. At night, it transforms into a club with a diverse range of music. Here, you’ll hear a variety of techno music, as well as experimental A/V shows.

Best daytime parties in Milan: Masada

Masada in the Garegnano district of Milan is known for its daytime parties, which start early in the afternoon on Saturdays. The rest of the time, it serves as a free space where people can arrange and participate in projects related to art, culture, and well-being. This place is constantly evolving and hosting new experiences for its members, whether that's theatrical performances, concerts or movie nights. Promoters Acquario and Closer have brought many well-known DJs to Masada for these day parties.

Remember that to attend an event in Masada, you must apply for a membership at least 48 hours before the event. After you’ve been accepted, you’ll need to pay a yearly fee of €14.

Best LGBTQI+ club in Milan: Q Club

Q Club is an LGBTQI+ club on Via Padova in Milan. It’s acted as a safe haven for the LGBTQI+ community in Milan since 1999, regularly hosting dance nights, drag performances and queer nights called Rebel. Rebel is a night dedicated to R&B and pop music, as well as lip-syncing, voguing and performances. They have 2 dancefloors, so you can zip between the 2 for some variety in your night. This club is an important part of the queer scene in Milan, so make sure you bring a positive attitude and an open mind.

Best VIP club in Milan: Amnesia

Amnesia is one of Milan’s most popular nightclubs. It’s located in Forlanini and is a minimalist, modern club with a high-tech vibe and an incredible sound system. This club hosts some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene and occasionally hosts fashion shows and themed parties. Because of its popularity, you’ll need to buy tickets in advance for Amnesia. Booking a VIP table will help you skip the line, and you may even bump into celebrities doing the same.

Living in Milan means making the most of everything the city has to offer. Now that you know where to head to enjoy Milan’s nightlife, it’s time to search for Milan houses for rent so you can live your best life in Italy’s fashion capital.