 The city at night
It may be a cliché - OK it's definitely a cliché - but the Milanese really do work hard and play hard. Many people consider the city to have the best nightlife in the country. Nonetheless, a Milanese night out follows a similar pattern to the rest of Italy. The evening will start at around seven with an 'aperitivo', probably take in supper and then lead on to 'una discoteca', or a club. These open around at 10.30 p.m. and close at 3.00 a.m., but few people arrive before midnight.
The chief nights for going out in Milan are Friday and Saturday, though to avoid the out-of towners who fill the city, some local residents now avoid these nights. Wednesday is also a popular night, when the streets throng with young people taking advantage of discounted prices at cinemas, creating the relaxing weekly ritual of a movie followed by a drink at the pub. Thursday is the evening favoured by the slightly older crowd - Milan's thirtysomethings - who leave the city at the weekend for the sea or nearby mountains.
Two areas dominate the nightlife scene: Navagli and Brera. Navagli, Milan's version of London's Notting Hill, is one of those typically metropolitan places where the original working class inhabitants now find themselves living next door to urban professionals and the children of the city's oldest families. The area was built around the city's remaining open canals and unsurprisingly is one of the most charming areas of Milan. Up until the 1960s, scores of these waterways ran through the entire city, but most were concreted over and the few that remain are what makes Navagli so special. The neighbourhood is characterised by the bridges over the canals, the beautiful old houses and squares, and the small artists' boutiques, as well of course as the multitude of bars, pubs and restaurants that come to life at night. The neighbourhood known as Brera, home to the city's main art gallery, has a similar quality: seemingly artistic and bohemian, it's actually home to some of the city's wealthiest inhabitants. It doesn't take long - about the time to check out the designer clothes of those sitting around you as you take in your first 'aperitivo' - to work out that this is the place where the chic kids play. If you're considering popping in and joining the beautiful people for a drink and a dance, check out the listings of the Milan editions of the Corriere della Sera on Wednesdays and La Repubblica on Thursdays. Oh, and smarten yourself up a bit first, eh? Links
Italian night life online
An English language guide to Milan nightlife, by Milanese locals. Find a disco or restaurant, and hang out with the beautiful people. In English and Italian. Milano by night
Another Milan guide, with essential information on eating, sleeping, shopping and dancing in this fun city. In Italian. Le Scimmie
Website of the legendary eighties jazz club Le scimmie, with full listings and a handy history of the club's origins. In Italian. These links do not constitute an endorsement by the BBC of the companies, their services or products. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. |
