The best listening bars in Milan

After the Covid-19 pandemic, several studies revealed that fewer and fewer young people were interested in going to clubs at night. Not because they were less interested in music—quite the opposite: they wanted to find new ways to enjoy it. And so, directly from Japan, listening bars have landed in major Western cities, from London to New York, passing through Berlin, Barcelona, and, of course, Milan. This type of venue originated in the 1950s under the name Jazz Kissa: at a time when vinyl records were less accessible, young Japanese people chose to share them while enjoying a good drink. In listening bars, people socialize but, above all, listen to music played by the owners through high-quality sound systems. Today, all venues of this kind share a vast selection of vinyl records as well as curated menus and fine wines, enclosed in an intimate atmosphere with soft lighting and tables set with an extremely minimal design. Part of the success of listening bars can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, which, from 2020 to today, has contributed to the popularization of vinyl among younger age groups who, during lockdown, discovered the timeless charm and essential quality of analog listening. 

Here are some of the best listening bars in Milan. To be enjoyed with friends or, why not, alone with a good glass of wine. 

Dexter Soundbites

In the Milanese neighborhood of Isola, Dexter has recently opened—a listening bar that offers visitors a global cuisine. Natural wines and a menu inspired by chef Giovanni de Nardi’s travels around the world invite guests to enjoy the evening after selecting the best record from an extensive music library. The venue’s interior design is minimal, carefully designed to ensure that the sound remains the main attraction. 

Lubna Milano

Lubna also recently opened in Milan, last December, in the same district as Fondazione Prada. In addition to being one of the most relaxing listening bars in the city, Lubna’s location also includes the Magma event space and the Scaramouche contemporary art gallery. Lubna’s kitchen specializes in open-flame cooking—even the drinks are designed to interact with the element of fire, following a key theme that reflects the Romagna roots of chef Enrico Croatti.

Club Giovanile Milano

Another round, another new opening: Club Giovanile Milano is rooted in the Certosa District, an urban regeneration project launched in 2023. Every aspect of this new listening bar is dedicated to the enjoyment of analog music, played through a custom acoustic system by Labirinti Acustici, designed to perfectly balance listening and conversation. The venue itself has a unique look, housed in a former slaughterhouse. 

Palinurobar

Palinurobar has been around for a couple of years longer than the aforementioned venues. Founded in 2021 in the Città Studi district, it is a wine bar characterized by an extensive—very extensive, with over 500 labels—selection of international wines and music. The atmosphere is decidedly welcoming, repurposing the walls of a former 1980s café, while the sound draws inspiration from Japanese and English-speaking listening bars, ensuring a constantly evolving music program. Interestingly, the console is not manned by DJs but by artists, wine producers, and friends of the venue, reinforcing the warm, familiar energy of Palinurobar. 

Section80Bar

Before becoming a listening bar, Section80 was a production house. With the opening of the venue, Section80 aimed to create a meeting place for all creatives who, over the years, have become collaborators and friends of the house. Section80Bar is thus a listening bar with a unique look, featuring design furniture from the NM3 team, as well as a bookshop and a projection corner. Inside the venue, there is also a small record store, curated in collaboration with the Berlin-based label Sound Metaphors. 

Onda

Onda joins Milan’s recent openings. Located within the spaces of the SideWalk Kitchens collective, in Zona Risorgimento, the venue offers listening experiences throughout the week, creating a meeting and sharing space for all creatives and music lovers who want to enjoy a vinyl record with a good drink. During the day, to keep the turntable spinning, Onda transforms into a coffee shop. 

Gesto

Stepping into Gesto is like traveling without taking any means of transport. Inspired by the interior design of Japanese listening bars, the venue in Porta Venezia offers the traditional listening bar experience with the addition of a secret karaoke room. The restaurant area and the listening bar are separate to dedicate full energy to listening: Gesto’s sound system explores different styles and eras, from live jam sessions to vinyl DJ sets. Once again, the venue’s record collection is vast, exceeding three hundred vinyl records. 

Bene Bene

Bene Bene is a listening bar that perfectly blends fashion and music. One of its founders, Giorgio di Salvo, is a designer and artistic director who designed the venue to ensure the perfect containment of sound. Bene Bene draws its primary inspiration from London’s listening bars, from the refinement of its acoustic system to the irreverent yet sophisticated personality of its interior design. The drinks are curated by one of Milan’s most renowned bartenders, Morris Mau, who enjoys mixing classics with improvisations. 

House of Ronin

House of Ronin is much more than a listening bar, yet its music selection—like its vintage Klipsch hi-fi system—offers an unmissable experience for vinyl enthusiasts. Bar, restaurant, and karaoke all in one: House of Ronin spans three floors with different activities, but to reach the listening bar, you only need to pass through the building’s entrance. With a menu inspired by the trattoria Piccolo Ronin, guests can enjoy select dishes from Japanese cuisine paired with dedicated cocktails. 

Futura

In Viale Gorizia, just steps away from the Darsena, lies Futura, a project inspired by the founders' experiences in Japan. The venue is small, intimate, and welcoming, leaving space for a large sound system designed for personal DJ sets, mainly focused on electronic music. A dense collection of vinyl records decorates Futura’s walls, which, in addition to opening its doors in the evening, is also an excellent spot for a Sunday brunch, accompanied by great music.