It is ten in the evening on Corso Como and the pavement outside the bars is standing room only, glasses in hand, the crowd spilling toward Garibaldi Station. A few kilometres south, along the canals of the Navigli, tables sit out beside the water and the aperitivo hour has stretched into something longer.
Milan's nightlife is varied rather than concentrated: glamorous clubs, old-fashioned cafés, small pubs by the canals, and an alternative scene of electronic parties held in temporary locations. It suits visitors who are happy to move between areas by metro and taxi, and who treat the evening as a series of stops rather than one destination. Note that many bars and clubs are open all week, but few people go out on Mondays or Tuesdays; the busiest nights are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with Wednesday also popular in the more stylish clubs.
Where to go out in Milan
1. Corso Como
The area around Corso Como, near Garibaldi Station, is the classic starting point for a night out, with a dense run of bars and glamorous clubs. In summer the street fills with a young, well-dressed crowd.
It suits a night that begins with drinks and can end late in a club. The practical advantage is the location: Garibaldi Station puts the rest of the city within easy reach when you want to move on.
2. Navigli
The Navigli quarter, near Porta Ticinese Avenue and XXIV Maggio Square, is built around the canals, with many small pubs, open-air cafés and restaurants along the water. It is a more relaxed, conversational kind of evening than Corso Como.
Many pubs and bars here carry a free booklet called Zero2, a guide to Milan nightlife, which is worth picking up if you have not decided where to go.
3. Colonne di San Lorenzo
In the Centro Storico, the Colonne di San Lorenzo, not far from the Navigli quarter, is overwhelmingly crowded at night. It is a standing-around, meeting-people sort of spot rather than a seated one.
Treat it as a stop on the way to or from the canals rather than a whole evening in itself.
4. Brera
Brera is described as the city's cosy Latin quarter, with a concentration of bars and people in its streets. The atmosphere is intimate and central.
It suits an evening that starts with dinner in the historic centre and continues on foot, without needing to cross the city.
5. Corso Sempione and the Arco della Pace
The pedestrian stretch of Corso Sempione, near the Peace Arch (Arco della Pace), is another popular spot with bars and crowds. The open, pedestrian setting makes it easy to drift between venues.
It works well on a warm evening, when being outside is part of the point.
6. Viale Monte Nero and Piazzale Susa
Viale Monte Nero and Piazzale Susa, with the nearby Città Studi area, are popular night spots with bars and people. On Wednesdays, Viale Monte Nero is packed with people in the piazza in front of a bar called Momo.
These areas suit a midweek night out, when the centre is quieter and the neighbourhood crowds are more local.
7. The alternative and electronic scene
Milan has an alternative club scene, with crews putting on electronic music parties outside ordinary clubs. These are ultracheap and take place each time in a different location, such as lofts, warehouses, farms, pools or city parks, and they attract a crowd aged roughly 20 to 28. The biggest is called RESET! and draws large numbers once a month.
This suits anyone who wants a night that is not built around a fixed venue. Because the location changes each time, you need to find out where the party is before you set out.
8. LGBT venues
Milan has a variety of bars, clubs, restaurants and venues for gay and lesbian travellers, but many operate only one night a week, and they are spread throughout the city rather than concentrated in a single district. Asking at one of the established venues is the usual way to find out where to go on a given night.
Be aware of the ARCI card regime: many clubs require one for entry, and you can buy it at the club when you arrive. You must bring ID, or you cannot purchase one. Open-air meeting places such as Parco Nord, the gardens behind Cadorna station and the Ortomercato are not recommended.
How a night out unfolds
An evening in Milan tends to start with aperitivo, the early-evening drink that often comes with food, and then moves on to bars or clubs later. The sources do not give fixed hours, but they are clear about the rhythm of the week: few people go out on Mondays or Tuesdays, the vast majority go out on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and Wednesday is one of the best nights for the more stylish, VIP-frequented clubs. The alternative electronic parties run about once a month rather than weekly.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Milan Fashion Week — held twice yearly, in February–March and September–October.
- Milano Pride — a parade and festival held at the end of June each year; free to attend.
- Corteo dei Re Magi — a parade featuring the Biblical Three Wise Men, held on 6 January each year.
- Salone del Mobile — the design fair, described as the most important in the world of design.
Frequently asked questions
Which nights are busiest in Milan?
Thursday, Friday and Saturday draw the largest crowds. Mondays and Tuesdays are quiet, with few people going out. Wednesday is also a strong night, particularly in the more stylish clubs.
Do I need a card to get into clubs?
Many clubs require an ARCI card for entry. You can buy one at the club when you arrive, but you must bring ID, or you will not be able to purchase one.
Where can I find out what is on tonight?
Look for the free booklet Zero2, a guide to Milan nightlife, available in many pubs and bars, particularly around the Navigli. For the alternative electronic parties, note that the location changes each time, so you will need to check where that month's event is being held.
Is Milan's nightlife concentrated in one area?
No. Nights are spread across Corso Como, the Navigli, the Centro Storico, Brera, Corso Sempione and the neighbourhoods around Viale Monte Nero and Piazzale Susa, and LGBT venues are likewise distributed across the city rather than clustered in one quarter.
Decide which part of the city suits the evening you want, check what is running that night, and plan your route before you set out.