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MILAN

Aperitivo with a view: Six of Milan’s best rooftop bars

The aperitivo is something of a sacred ritual in Milan and there may be no better way to enjoy it than from one of the city’s popular rooftop bars.

Published: 3 August 2023 14:56 CEST
Updated: 3 September 2023 14:28 CEST
Milan: aerial view at sunset
Milan’s rooftop bars are the perfect place to grab an aperitivo and wind down after a busy day. Photo by Matteo Raimondi on Unsplash

Much like most other metropolises in the world, Milan can be very chaotic during the day, with people frantically scrambling on and off public transport to get to their work appointments in time and crowds of visitors moving en masse from one popular local attraction to the other.

But, while daytime life in the city can be incredibly hectic, time seems to slow down in the early evening, as most people sotto la Madonnina head to their favourite bar and wind down over an aperitivo. 

And, though Milan’s streets have no shortage of bars, you may find there’s no better way to enjoy an aperitivo in the city than from one of its rooftops, which allow customers to sip on their cocktail of choice as the city below is bathed in golden sunset light.

Terrazza 12

Perched atop the Bryan&Barry Building at the heart of the San Babila district, Terrazza 12 is a household name in the northern capital as it offers one of the most unique views of the city centre. 

READ ALSO: Six ‘secret’ places in Milan you need to visit

Openly inspired by New York-style rooftop bars, it combines a lounge bar serving carefully crafted cocktails with a wide selection of finger food and small bites.

Quite conveniently, should you wish to stay for dinner, the floor right below the rooftop bar is home to a high-end Mediterranean cuisine restaurant.

Ceresio 7

Often credited as revolutionising the Milanese rooftop bar scene, Ceresio 7 is a luxurious venue in the Porta Garibaldi district offering a full 360-degree view of the city’s skyline. 

It has two swimming pools complemented by lounge chairs and cabanas, an American-inspired lounge bar and both interior and exterior dining areas.

You can expect fine mixology cocktails, first-class bites and top-notch service – but prices will not suit every pocket (bites are generally between 15 and 25 euros, while cocktails are nearly always over 20 euros).

SunEleven Rooftop

Located on the top floor of the IH Hotel Milano Ambasciatori, which sits just a few steps away from the iconic Duomo, SunEleven Rooftop is a more casual but equally stylish venue. 

The bar is well known locally for its LED signs, soft outdoor lights and the pastel colours of its furniture. 

The menu features a wide selection of cocktails, craft beers and tapas.

La Rinascente Rooftop

High-end department store La Rinascente, in the central Piazza del Duomo, boasts one of, if not the most popular rooftop in the city.

Here the spires and pinnacles of the Duomo cathedral are so close that they sometimes look to be within reach.

The Rinascente rooftop is home to a number of venues, which offer slightly different vistas based on their position relative to the Duomo. Il Bar, a stylish cocktail bar and cafè, is generally considered one of the best options for views.

Organics Sky Garden

Standing 40 metres tall, on the 13th floor of the Hyatt Centric hotel, this venue combines contemporary design furniture with peculiar rooftop garden looks and atmosphere, which make it something of a rare green oasis in Milan’s urban landscape. 

Besides cocktails and savoury bites, the bar also offers live DJ sets and music events on weekends.

Organics Sky Garden in Milan

A view of the Organics Sky Garden, near Milan’s Centrale railway station. Photo by Organics Sky Garden on Instagram

BASE Terrace

Located in the lively Tortona district, south-east Milan, the terrace of the BASE Milano cultural centre is one of the best available options if you’re looking for an affordable rooftop aperitivo. 

Though it may not quite allow for spectacular views, the BASE Terrace is still a great place to relax and grab a drink after a long day of work or sightseeing.

READ ALSO: Six of Milan’s best bookshop cafes

The venue is particularly popular among the younger generations (especially among people aged 20 to 30).  

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MILAN

Milan approves new rules cracking down on noisy nightlife

Milan city council on Monday confirmed new rules aimed at limiting noise from nightlife in the city, with restrictions on the sale of alcohol - but no ban on late-night gelato, as was initially reported.

Published: 13 May 2024 16:14 CEST
Milan approves new rules cracking down on noisy nightlife

New legislation aimed at stopping noise from Milan’s nightlife from keeping residents awake will come into force in 12 of the city’s central districts from Monday, May 20th, remaining in place until November 4th.

READ ALSO: Milan announces plan to ban cars from city centre in 2024

Milan’s city council published an ordinance on Monday containing details of the much-debated temporary limit on the opening hours of outdoor terraces, takeaways and other food and drinks businesses, which it said would improve the lives of local residents without hitting business owners in the pocket.

According to the local edition of Corriere della Sera, the new rules limit:

  • Opening hours of bar and restaurant terraces, which must close no later than 1am and reopen no earlier than 6am. The limit is extended to 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Sales of takeaway alcoholic drinks from bars, shops and other businesses, which are prohibited between midnight and 6am.
  • Sales of food and drinks by street vendors between 8pm and 6pm.

The rules will apply in the areas of Nolo, Lazzaretto, Melzo, Isola, Sarpi, Cesariano, Arco della Pace, Corso Como/Gae Aulenti, Garibaldi, Brera, Ticinese, Darsena and Navigli, according to local media reports.

While initial reports ridiculed the measure as an “ice-cream ban”, councillors later clarified that “ice cream is not the target” and that the rules would focus on the sale of “drinks, especially alcoholic ones.”

OPINION: Why Milan is a much better city to live in than Rome

This was the latest set of temporary restrictions brought in by Milan’s city council, and follows the introduction of similar rules last October on weekends in the busy areas of via Melzo, via Lazzaretto and piazza Oberdan.

Previously introduced limits were criticised as ineffective by residents’ associations, who said noise levels would remain above safe limits, as well as business owners, who pointed out that many bars in central areas of the city already had an agreement in place to close outdoor terraces no later than 2am.

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