Milan Hosts World's Best Bars Awards Ceremony

Milan has been touted as a city to be savored, thanks in large part to a catchy 1980s advertising slogan for Amaro Ramazzotti. The Italian liqueur's campaign famously declared "Milano da bere", or "Milan to drink, and the phrase has since become synonymous with the city's vibrant nightlife.

The latest accolades for Milan's drinking scene come courtesy of the World's 50 Best Bars list, which was recently announced for 2026. Notably, Moebius Milano claimed second place in the global ranking, while also earning the top spot as Europe's best bar.

This achievement is particularly significant given that the awards ceremony itself took place in Milan on October 7, marking the first time it has been hosted in Italy. The event served as a testament to the city's growing reputation as a hub for exceptional drinking experiences.

Milan's dedication to its aperitivo culture is well-known among locals and visitors alike, with many regarding going out for drinks as an integral part of their daily routine.

Milan's cocktail scene has undergone significant transformation in recent years, pushing the boundaries of what a night out in the city can entail. This evolution is a far cry from the Milano da bere" campaign that dominated the airwaves in 1985, when the city was experiencing an economic boom and cultural shift.

The campaign, which touted Milan as a hub for glamour and fast-paced living, became synonymous with the city's image. It conjured up images of well-dressed professionals meeting for aperitivo after work, sipping on fashionable cocktails in trendy bars that stayed open late into the night.

Milan has long been associated with drinking culture, thanks to its ties to Campari, which established its iconic café in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II as far back as 1867. The city is also credited with inventing the negroni sbagliato, a variation of the classic negroni made with prosecco instead of gin, which gained widespread popularity in 2022.

Legend has it that bartender Mirko Stocchetto created the negroni sbagliato by accident at Bar Basso in the 1970s. This unexpected mistake would go on to become a beloved drink around the world, cementing Milan's reputation as a hub for innovative and exciting cocktails.

The city's historic establishments continue to draw visitors in search of a traditional aperitivo experience.

However, a new wave of bartenders has emerged in Milan, pushing the boundaries of mixology and transforming the city into a hub for innovative cocktails.

At Moebius Milano, this trend is particularly evident as bartenders experiment with unexpected ingredients and techniques borrowed from fine dining to create unique experiences.

The bar's sprawling 700-square-meter space near Milano Centrale is a testament to its unconventional approach, featuring live music, a record shop, and a fine-dining restaurant alongside the cocktail bar.

The cocktail program at Moebius has gained a reputation for innovative twists on classic drinks, often incorporating ingredients typically found in kitchens rather than behind bars.

One signature cocktail is the pesto martini, which combines vodka and vermouth with homemade pesto and white balsamic vinegar, drawing on the bar manager's Genoese heritage.

Another creation, the carrot bamboo, brings together a range of flavors from Europe and Asia, including vermouth, gin, manzanilla sherry, carrot, yuzu, and shiso.

The experience at Moebius is not just about drinks, but also about food. The Tapa Bistrot on the ground floor offers sharing plates inspired by different cuisines.

Upstairs, Moebius Sperimentale provides a more formal fine-dining experience, overseen by chef Enrico Croatti and featuring elaborate dishes to complement the bar's extensive cocktail menu.

Milan's drinking scene has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, thanks to a collection of longstanding favorites and ambitious newcomers that are pushing the boundaries of what a cocktail bar can be.

One such establishment is 1930, which gained a reputation as one of Milan's most exclusive speakeasies after opening in 2013. Initially, its location was kept secret, with entry reserved for those who managed to secure an invitation. However, in 2025, the bar moved to a new location beneath MAG La Pusterla, making it easier for patrons to find.

The cocktail menu at 1930 is notable for its incorporation of fine dining ideas, resulting in creations such as a caviar martini and a parmigiano colada. This innovative approach has earned the bar recognition, including a ranking of number 94 on the World's 50 Best Bars list for 2026.

Lubna, another project from the team behind Moebius, is located near Fondazione Prada and serves as a listening bar, cultural venue, and restaurant all in one. It brings together art and food through its cocktails, which incorporate ingredients and techniques inspired by cooking over fire, further blurring the lines between restaurants and creative spaces.

A new addition to Milan's vibrant nightlife scene is Salmon Guru, an out-of-town import that brings its unique energy to the city. This Madrid-born concept, created by Diego Cabrera, has set up shop near the Arco della Pace, bringing with it comic-book-inspired interiors and neon lights.

For those seeking a more traditional cocktail experience, Rita remains a staple in the Navigli area, having served drinks since 2002. Its signature Gin Zen, made with gin, ginger, and lime, has been a favorite among locals for nearly two decades, dating back to 1998.

Milan's reputation as a city that knows how to enjoy a good drink is being recognized by the international community, with more visitors discovering its unique drinking scene.