Nightlife · Milan · Italy
Milan nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Milan, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paolo Soave, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Milan's evenings start with aperitivo and continue in cocktail bars and clubs. The Navigli, Corso Como, Isola and Porta Venezia are the main areas, each with a different crowd. The main areas are Navigli and Darsena, Corso Como and Garibaldi, Porta Venezia, Isola and Brera.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Navigli
- Local drink
- Negroni sbagliato
Where to go out
Navigli and Darsena
Canal-side bars and crowds spilling onto the towpaths, busy every night in summer.
Corso Como and Garibaldi
Upmarket bars and clubs with a dressy crowd near Porta Nuova.
Porta Venezia
Relaxed bars around Via Lazzaretto and the centre of Milan's LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Isola
Wine bars, live-music venues and jazz in a more local setting.
Brera
Elegant cocktail and wine bars along its pedestrian streets.
Nightlife tips
- Aperitivo runs from about 6pm to 9pm; clubs fill after midnight.
- Dress smartly for clubs around Corso Como; door policies can be strict.
- Metro lines run until about midnight on most nights, with night buses afterwards.
Evening sights
Architecture · Centro Storico
Teatro alla Scala
For a performance on a budget, look for gallery seats or same-day tickets sold at the box office.
- Time needed
- 1 hour for the museum
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Navigli
Navigli canals
Arrive around 7pm for aperitivo, then walk the Naviglio Grande towards the Vicolo dei Lavandai as the lights come on.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
- Photo spot
What to drink
- Negroni sbagliato — A 'mistaken' Negroni made with sparkling wine instead of gin, said to have been invented at a Milan bar in the 1970s; served at aperitivo with Campari, sweet vermouth and an orange slice.
- Campari spritz and aperitivo — Campari was first produced in Milan in the 19th century. Early-evening aperitivo pairs a bitter drink with snacks, sometimes a full buffet, included in the price of the drink.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:05 | -1°C (30°F) | 6 |
| April | About 20:09 | 8°C (46°F) | 9 |
| July | About 21:09 | 18°C (64°F) | 6 |
| October | About 18:38 | 9°C (48°F) | 8 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Tap a contactless bank card at the gates; fares are capped at the daily ticket price when you use the same card.
- Tram — Trams cover the centre densely, including vintage 1920s cars still in service on several routes, and are a scenic way to cross the city.
- Walking — The Duomo, Galleria, La Scala, Brera and the Sforza Castle are within 15 minutes' walk of each other.
- Taxi — Official white taxis wait at ranks and can be booked by app or phone; hailing in the street is not usual.
Late-night bites
- Mondeghili — Osterie and wine bars with traditional menus.
- Panzerotti — Takeaway shops around Piazza del Duomo and in the centre.
Staying safe at night
Milan is generally safe, but pickpockets work the metro, trams, the Duomo square and Stazione Centrale. Watch for people pressing bracelets or pigeon feed on tourists near the cathedral, and keep phones out of reach on terraces.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, budget and solo travellers
Navigli
Around the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese canals in the south-west, old washhouses and courtyard workshops now hold bars, restaurants and vintage shops. The Darsena dock at the top of the canals is a popular evening hangout, and the Mercatone dell'Antiquariato antiques market fills the Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of most months.
- Good
- Lively aperitivo scene; Good-value food; Atmospheric canals
- Watch out
- Noisy late into the night; Mosquitoes on summer evenings; 20–30 minutes from the Duomo
- Nearby
- Naviglio Grande, Darsena, Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, Porta Ticinese
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Milan?
Navigli and Darsena, Corso Como and Garibaldi and Porta Venezia. Canal-side bars and crowds spilling onto the towpaths, busy every night in summer.
+Which area of Milan is best for nightlife?
Navigli: Canal-side bars, vintage shops and the monthly antiques market.