The best places to go in Milan for An Aperitif
From extravagant cocktails to classic wines.
Despite his young age, Campari’s Barman of the Year, Corey Squarzoni, speaks from experience. After stops in Lago Maggiore and Verona, Corey’s now serving up first-class cocktails at Ugo, a bar in the popular Navigli district in Milan.
His passion for bon vivant food and drink has made him an expert when it comes to aperitifs – the traditional before-dinner drink Italians enjoy along with a light snack on any social occasion. While the recipe for the perfect aperitif can vary, according to Corey, it should ideally consist of a bitter cocktail with a few plump olives and pleasant camaraderie.
The best bars in Milan according to Corey
A variety of Bloody Marys
Lacerba
“Lacerba, which is located in the Crocetta neighborhood, is definitely worth a visit. It’s both a restaurant and a bar, where you’ll find classic cocktails and a wide selection of Italian snacks on the menu. They also have a separate menu featuring a variety of Bloody Marys, which have become a classic.
The decor at Lacerba is inspired by Italian futurism, with various works of art, bottles, and advertising signs on the walls and mismatched chairs.”
Cocktails on the menu
Rita & Cocktails
“In the Navigli district, you’ll find one of Milan’s most iconic bars: Rita & Cocktails. Here, you can have a seat at the bar and enjoy an aperitif. In conjunction with their 20th anniversary, Rita & Cocktails created the signature drink Gin Z, now featured prominently on the menu, which you can’t miss out on when you come here.”
Cozy restaurant atmosphere
Ugo cocktail bar
“In the same area, just 50 meters from Rita & Cocktails, you’ll find the bar Ugo, where I work. Ugo opened ten years ago, and you’ll feel like family here as soon as you step inside the door. The bar has a parquet floor, patterned wallpaper, a sofa, evocative lighting, and good music. In the bar, you can enjoy classic cocktails or a really good wine from the extensive wine selection.”
Well-prepared, modern dishes
RODI
“RODI is a small modern restaurant in Porta Venezia. Here, they serve well-prepared appetizers, inspired by the cuisine of the Italian Le Marche region, all day long as well as tasty cocktails and natural wines. If you want to discover exciting new wines, this is the place to go.”
Text by Peggy Hansson