This is one of the greatest bars in Milano. Why? Because it’s great.

As you might know, the area of Isola used to be the true blue color district of Milano, separated from the city by the huge cargo train station Garibaldi (which gave the district its name, Isola or “Island” in English). Not much reminds of the working class past: artsy, wealthy and hip is what defines the “Island” today.

Unfortunately, the high demand for this part of the city in combination with its proximity to the center and the monstrous renewal project around Porta Nuova have caused prices to skyrocket.

It is more and more difficult to find unpretentious, great and cheap places. The few that are left you will easily recognize by the huge crowed filling up the sidewalk well past the borders of the place.

Wasabi is tiny but don’t be mislead – this does no harm to the drink selection or design. I love the Blues mural that is as big as the place itself or the dark green vintage wall paper. But of course, you don’t go to Wasabi for the wallpaper, you come here for the crowd, the ueber-cool “Isolanders” – may they never be chased away!

If you are really lucky you might even stumble into a live music session of Blues but you’ll just need to leave that up to chance as they don’t communicate about it up front.

Tip: “No Dresscode” is the dresscode