On February 6, 2026, the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will bring an international crowd to the city. Through February 22, Milan will serve as one of the main stages of the Games, with events spread across key venues:
- Stadio Meazza – Opening Ceremony
- Pala Italia Santa Giulia – Ice hockey
- Milano Hockey Arena – Ice hockey
- Milano Ice Skating Arena (Forum di Assago) – Short track and figure skating
Between competitions, medal celebrations and late-night recaps, the city bar scene offers its own kind of podium. Here are ten cocktail bars worth adding to your Olympic itinerary.
Olympics in Milan: 1930 Cocktail Bar – 10 minutes from Milano Ice Skating Arena (9 km)
Whether you are heading to hockey or short track, this discreet speakeasy sits about ten minutes from the Ice Skating Arena and twenty from Pala Italia Santa Giulia. Access depends on availability, so patience is part of the ritual. While waiting, MAG La Pusterla offers a solid interim stop with cocktails on tap.
Backdoor 43 – 8 minutes from Milano Ice Skating Arena (7 km)
If the Games celebrate world champions, Backdoor 43 celebrates scale. At just four square meters, it is often described as one of the smallest bars in the world. A short ride from the Ice Skating Arena, it delivers meticulous service in a compact setting — a quick but memorable stop between events.
Olympics in Milan: Bob Isola & Bob The Other Side – 20 minutes from Stadio Meazza (7 km)
Part of the Chinese Box Group, Bob The Other Side sits next to its sibling, Bob Isola, a few minutes from San Siro. Expect twist-on-classics paired with Asian-leaning bites and a particular focus on whiskey, poured neat or mixed under the guidance of Bar Manager Cesar Araujo.
Camparino in Galleria – 25 minutes from Stadio Meazza (8 km)
Founded in 1867 by Gaspare Campari, Camparino in Galleria remains a cornerstone of Milanese aperitivo culture. A short metro ride from San Siro, it balances history with contemporary energy, pairing the historic Bar di Passo with the more experimental Sala Spiritello inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Dry Milano – 20 minutes from Stadio Meazza (7 km)
Since 2013, Dry Milano has paired pizza and cocktails with precision. Ranked among the top ten in 50 Top Pizza, it brings together Lorenzo Sirabella’s recipes with a drinks program led by Bar Manager Edris Al Malat and his team, supported by Mascara Menassi on the floor. A versatile post-game address, from aperitivo through late evening.
Olympics in Milan: MAG Café – 13 minutes from Milano Ice Skating Arena (7 km)
For the Olympics, MAG Café introduces World Comes to Milan, a menu dedicated to visitors arriving from across the globe. Each cocktail draws inspiration from different countries, reinterpreting ingredients and traditions to create what the team describes as a “bar counter of the world.”
Moebius Milano – 22 minutes from Pala Italia Santa Giulia (9 km)
Moebius brings multiple identities under one roof: tapas bistrot, Sperimentale — the Michelin-starred restaurant — cocktail bar and live music venue. Set in an industrial space anchored by a centuries-old olive tree, the drinks program by Bar Manager Giovanni Allario dialogues with Chef Enrico Croatti’s kitchen.
Nottingham Forest – 18 minutes from Pala Italia Santa Giulia (8 km)
A more theatrical setting awaits at Nottingham Forest, where Dario Comini reshaped Milan mixology through molecular techniques and elaborate presentations. A short drive from Pala Italia Santa Giulia, it remains a reference point for experimental cocktails.
Rita Cocktails – 12 minutes from Milano Ice Skating Arena (7 km)
Among the early American bars in Milan, Rita Cocktails built its reputation on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Guests settle along the curved counter while Edoardo Nono and his team keep the rhythm steady — a relaxed intermission between skating sessions.
Olympics in Milan: Tripstillery – 21 minutes from Stadio Meazza (8 km)
Tripstillery pairs cocktail bar with in-house distillery, allowing guests to craft their own distillate under the supervision of a master distiller. A hands-on experience that doubles as an original Milan souvenir.
