Apr 16, 2025

Bar Picchio Milan

A laid-back neighborhood bar

""Bar Picchio" is a down-to-earth, unpretentious tobacco bar in one of my favorite areas in Milan; this low-priced, friendly bar reminds me of the '80s..."

Bar Picchio is a down to earth, unpretentious tobacco bar in one of my favorite districts in Milan.

Porta Venezia is well known for being a fancy area as well as the home of a few gay-friendly bars and ethnic restaurants, but it's also a place where, every now and then, it just feels right to take it down a notch. And Picchio nails it, especially if you have zero demands and just want to go for a basic aperitivo in a neighborly bar.

Forget the hype: Picchio is low-priced, but not cheap, if you know what I mean. It's the kind of tobacco bar that reminds you of the 80s, when life in Milan was definitely less pretentious. Everybody pretty much knows everybody around here, so you'll happen to overhear the stories that took place in front of the pool table or behind the counter, where by the way you can spot a thousand ID pictures of the regulars. Picchio offers a pretty decent home-cooked lunch, but it is particularly from 19:00 on that loads of students and residents drop in and have a spritz or a bottled beer and chat on the sidewalk outside.

If Picchio had a motto, it would definitely be “just relax”. Much to the residents' delight, neighborhood bars are having their comeback in Milan, especially since the pandemic started: Bar Picchio is one of the main characters in this story and that's not too shabby at all.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Via Melzo 11

Aperol Spritz:

3.50

0229531433

Find your way with 185 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Milan guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Milan

Frizzi & Lazzi

Your favorite beer garden ever

"Frizzi & Lazzi" is one of my old-time favorite beer gardens in Milan. It's an unassuming, easy-going place that has become a point of reference since '82.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Susanna

Baggio

Jun 6, 2025

Ofelé

My go-to place for Sunday brunch

"Ofelé" in Milan is a bistrot bakery that makes some of the best (Sunday) brunches around. It's simply one of my favorite pancake spots in town...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Carmen

Condeescu

Jun 6, 2025

Terrazza 12 Bar

Back to the '50s

"Terrazza 12 Bar" is reminiscent of Tokyo, in that sometimes you have to look up to find the gems. So in Milan - it's on the top floor of Bryan & Barry...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Living Liqueurs & Delights

Fashion and aperitivo

"Living Liqueurs & Delights": one of my favorite aperitivo spots in Milan and its first real vodka bar. It has a beautiful bar ambiance & a nice lounge...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Wasabi Bar

Williamsburg in Milan

"Wasabi Bar" is one of the greatest bars in Milan. Why? Because it's great! It's actually tiny, but don't be misled: the drink selection & design are...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Via Solferino

Independent shopping

"Via Solferino" is a central Milan street, yet far away from the crowds. I go there to just look around the shop and I'm sure I can always find I...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

DOU

Dim Sum paradise

"DOU" was the first (Asian) restauarant I bumped into in Milan, and it remains one of my favorites in the city. What I like is the selection of cuisines...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Scalo Farini

Great aperitivo

"Scalo Farini" in Milan is a bar recommended to me by an Isola local as the best aperitivo in town. I can say that I haven't tried any better than this.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Straf Bar

Unexpectedly cool

"Straf Bar" Milan is a peculiar place - even though it's next to Duomo, it's one of the coolest spots in town. Protip: grab one of the "benches" outside...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Camporino in Galleria

To the roots of Campari

"Camporino in Galleria" in Milan is where the drink Campari was born. Every time I grab a drink at the bar, I feel as if I stepped into the old city...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

San Cristoforo Church

Old Milan

"San Cristoforo Church" is one of Milan's corners that can really take you back through time. Protip: take a walk along Naviglio Grande in the evening...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Al Fresco

A meeting place with food and dining

"Al Fresco" is my Milan cafe/restaurant I'd never visited because it was just next door to my place! Let me tell you, that was a mistake, if only for...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ivan

Kalinov

Jun 4, 2025

Heading to Milan?

185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Milan?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

185 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves Milan

Get to know our other Spotters from Milan

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
28
Filters