Contemporary venues, interiors that evoke the sea or pay homage to vintage charm, regulars who become family, and drinks crafted with a deeply personal touch. This is Porta Romana, one of Milan’s neighborhoods with the highest density of cocktail bars, each distinguished by original, characterful creations.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Porta Romana
Step through the doors of these bars and be assured: in Porta Romana, you are always welcome. This area is one of the main arteries of Milanese mixology, brimming with venues devoted to fine drinking and exceptional hospitality. There will be no difficulty quenching your thirst; the only risk is not having enough time to try everything in a single evening. Porta Romana’s bars will be there waiting, ready to host for aperitivo, dinner, and the final — or perhaps not the final — drink before heading home.
The Cocktail Bars to Know in Porta Romana
In Porta Romana, the addresses selected stand out for their perseverance and creativity, a magnetic pull at the bar, and projects worth passing down. The selection includes intimate venues and more social settings, with and without food pairings, established names and exciting newcomers, ensuring a complete view of the neighborhood’s offerings. Here are the cocktail bars imagined for those passionate about mixology and those who savor a good conversation over an expertly crafted drink.
Dabass
A chic and playful spot, vibrant and vintage in its details, and enticing in its mixology proposals. At Dabass, there is an immediate sense of home, especially because it offers a full dinner experience, highly recommended. There is enthusiasm both in the kitchen and behind the bar, a palpable desire to offer something truly unique. The quality of the ingredients, whether in dishes or drinks, stands out with disarming honesty. Dabass is a forward-looking address, frequented by many since its opening. Perhaps it’s the vintage touches, the contrasts of color, the homey chairs, the intimate and convivial tables, or the floral motifs found in the plates, tablecloths, and walls. The more one observes this place, the more it seems to blossom.
Dabass – Via Piacenza, 13
Dhole Milano
Dhole is the place to choose when in a group, offering the perfect setting for lively conversation. On weekends, it hosts excellent brunches, ideal for starting Saturday or Sunday with the right spirit — and flavor. Japanese influences can be found both in the dishes and the drinks, such as a cocktail with Fuji apple gin, umeboshi acidity, and sake. Dhole is a meeting point between East and West, where one can settle into solid wooden tables surrounded by greenery that seems to belong more to a forest than to the city. The venue wins over with its clean, nature-infused lines, cocktails that feel like passports to distant lands, and a kitchen that satisfies every palate.
Dhole Milano – Via Tiraboschi, 2
Il Nemico
The team behind Dabass didn’t stop there. In 2019, they expanded across the street with Il Nemico, a second venue offering a more informal atmosphere. Here, carefully crafted cocktails are paired with a light and quick menu of tapas and pizza. Those searching for signage outside will be disappointed; the only confirmation lies within the restroom, where a giant neon sign spelling “Nemico” awaits, inviting visitors to photograph and post it — ideally after ordering a drink.
Il Nemico – Via Piacenza, 20
Lacerba – Quisibeve
Lacerba stands as one of Milan’s famous cocktail bars. One can dine at the restaurant or settle at the Quisibeve bar, where starting with a Bloody Mary is almost obligatory, given the many experimental variations available. The venue preserves the art of fine drinking thanks to a highly skilled and passionate team. Loyal patrons continue to return, drawn by the enduring quality of the cocktails and the unmistakable signature of the classics. Thoughtful pairings accompany the drinks. The atmosphere is bold, the space colorful, and visiting after dinner often means finding the street outside alive with people — a sign that failure is far from Lacerba’s horizon.
Lacerba – Quisibeve – Via Orti, 4
Les Rouges
Welcoming and informal, Les Rouges is a 1970s-style cocktail bar with a kitchen that makes it stand out in Porta Romana. Its secret lies in a concise menu of homemade dishes and carefully curated cocktails. Ligurian traditions weave through both the food and drink offerings, creating a bridge between Milan and the Riviera. Highlights include the potato gateau with a goat cheese and mushroom heart, paired with the IdroMule (vodka, elderflower, and mead) or the Banattan, crafted with cognac and banana.
Les Rouges – Via Tiraboschi, 15
Particolare Milano
Known primarily as a restaurant, Particolare Milano also boasts a bar offering classic cocktails that pair seamlessly with the chef’s creations. Perfect for aperitivo or after-dinner moments, drinks can be enjoyed at the bar or in the lush garden — enclosed like a greenhouse in winter and open-air during summer. The garden acts as a natural extension of the restaurant, offering a serene retreat among abundant greenery, ideally with a cocktail in hand.
Particolare Milano – Via Tiraboschi, 5
The Spirit
A glance through the round porthole windows reveals a venue that has already become a landmark on Milan’s mixology map. The Spirit, led by Ivan Francesco Filippelli, offers seasonal drink lists that verge on the sensational, with past menus inspired by Van Gogh, cinema, and, more recently, “Shades of The Spirit,” a collection exploring contrasts and opposites. Every cocktail here is meticulously crafted, both in flavor and design. The venue is elegant, intimate, and warmly lit, with a bar that, despite its ample size, fosters close conversation with the bartenders — a chat as essential as the olive in a Martini.
The Spirit – Via Piacenza, 15
Yapa
Yapa reflects the combined talents of chef Matteo Pancetti and bartender Matias Sarli, resulting in a place where kitchen and bar are two sides of the same coin. The venue on Viale Montenero 34 embodies the extensive international experience of both professionals, offering a seamless blend of flavors and aromas. The name “Yapa,” meaning “a little extra” in Quechua, perfectly captures the spirit of a menu where everything is interconnected. Whether choosing from the list or placing trust in Pancetti and Sarli’s hands, the result is always rewarding.
Yapa – Viale Montenero, 34
Ultra Milano
The combination of cocktails and pizza is a winning formula. Ultra Milano, the new venture by Fabrizio Margarita, offers a quality-driven menu served in a completely open-plan setting where guests are meant to feel at home. While pizza is the centerpiece, other dishes cater to diverse preferences. The cocktail list features a dozen classics, creative twists enhancing Ultra’s identity, and a few signature drinks. For fermentation enthusiasts, there is also a thoughtful selection of sake and natural wines.
Ultra Milano – Via Pier Lombardo, 1
El Pecà
At El Pecà, every drink represents a project in itself. Seasonal cocktail menus are crafted like a dialogue among bartenders and culinary enthusiasts from across Italy, complementing a varied kitchen menu of fish and meat, from tuna carpaccio to tripe. The venue offers a marine-inspired setting, with blue velvet curtains and mermaids adorning the walls, creating the sensation of being transported seaside while remaining firmly in the city. El Pecà delivers thoughtful pairings and stands as an ideal choice for those seeking a relaxed aperitivo.
El Pecà – Via Orti, 7
