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Milan Nightlife

Young, cosmopolitan Milan has a vibrant, lively nightlife and cultural scene. Most bars and restaurants serve aperitivo (a buffet of antipasti, free with drinks) between 1800 and 2100, which is a Milanese institution. They stay open until late (0100), after which the energetic move on to the nightclubs (discoteca), which stay open till 0400 (most shut Mondays). Milan's cultural scene boasts excellent music and theatre performances all year round. Top venues include the prestigious, world-famous La Scala and Piccolo Teatro.

Entertainment listings are available online at www.corriere.it and www.hellomilano.it. Culture events in Milan are listed in the weekly Corriere della Sera (http://milano.corriere.it), the free monthly Milano Mese (available from the tourist office and hotels) and the free English-language HelloMilano (www.hellomilano.it) (available from hotels, bars and the Duomo tourist office). Tickets are available from Ticketweb (tel: 199 158 158; www.ticketweb.it) and Ticketone (tel: 892 101; www.ticketone.it).

Auditorium di Milano

Milan's respected symphony orchestra, the Orchestra Verdi, founded in 1993 and conducted by Riccardo Chailly, frequently performs concerts in the Auditorium di Milano. Performances usually take place Monday, Thursday and some Tuesday nights, with big events on Saturdays and matinees on Sunday.

Corso San Gottardo 39, Largo Gustav Mahler
Tel: 02 8338 9401.
www.laverdi.org

Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi

Another illustrious venue for classical concerts in Milan is the Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi, where the Cantelli Orchestra performs. The conservatory was founded in 1808 in a former Lateran convent. Many key Italian musicians studied here - although, oddly enough, the young Giuseppe Verdi was rejected. There are two concert halls: the smaller Sala Puccini for chamber music, and the bigger Sala Verdi for symphonic and choral music.

Via Conservatorio 12
Tel: 02 762 110.
www.consmilano.it

CRT Teatro dell'Arte

CRT (Centro di Ricerca per il Teatro) at Teatro dell'Arte is Milan's main advocate for contemporary dance. Classical ballet in Milan is performed at La Scala.

Viale Alemagna 6
Tel: 02 8901 1644.
www.teatrocrt.it

Piccolo Teatro di Milano

Milan has become a driving force behind Italian drama since the foundation of the Piccolo Teatro di Milano by Giorgio Strehler and Paolo Grassi in 1947. The company puts on a wide repertory of international, classical and experimental drama in three different theatres. Audiences can choose between programmes for the Teatro Grassi, Via Rovello, the experimental theatre Teatro Studio, Via Rivoli, and the Teatro Strehler, Largo Greppi.

Largo Antonio Greppi 2
Tel: 8488 00304 (Italy only) or 02 4241 1889.
www.piccoloteatro.org

Teatro alla Scala

Opera lovers know the Teatro alla Scala, La Scala for short, the world over. The main ticket office remains under the Piazza Duomo, admittance from the stairs of the Duomo Metro. The home of classical ballet in Milan is also at La Scala, which is also the base for its renowned ballet school, the Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala, Via Verdi 1.

Via Filodrammatici 2
Tel: 02 88791.
www.teatroallascala.org

Bars in Milan

10 Corso Como Café

10 Corso Como Café, with its slightly oriental slant to decorations, is one of the hottest bars in Milan.

Corso Como 10
Tel: 02 2901 3581.
www.10corsocomo.com

Bhangra Bar

Milan's Bhangra Bar mixes it up with African and international music and a décor and buffet to match.

Corso Sempione 1
Tel: 02 3493 4469.
www.bhangrabarmilano.com

Le Biciclette

In the Navigali district, Le Biciclette, with its monthly changing display of artwork, attracts an extremely varied crowd and has legendary aperitivo.

Via Conca del Naviglio 10
Tel: 02 839 4177.
www.lebiciclette.com

Clubs in Milan

Il Gattopardo Café

Il Gattopardo Café, in a deconsecrated church in the upwardly mobile northwest of Milan, is a beautiful people haunt - dress to impress to get in.

Via Piero della Francesca 47
Tel: 02 3453 7699.
www.ilgattopardocafe.it

Plastic

Plastic is one of the most popular nightclubs in Milan and plays Italian house and techno music. Free admission on Sunday nights.

Viale Umbria 120
Tel: 02 733 996.
www.thisisplastic.com

Shocking Club

The Shocking Club has minimalist décor and lives up to its name with outrageous theme nights.

astioni di Porta Nuova 12
Tel: 02 6269 0045.
www.shockingclub.net

Live Music in Milan

Blue Note

Blue Note is the place for live jazz in Milan.

Via Borsieri 37
Tel: 02 6901 6888.
www.bluenotemilano.com

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is Milan's temple of rock during the week (dancing on Fridays and Saturdays; dinner/nightclub on Tuesdays).

Corso XXII Marzo 32
Tel: 02 733 172.
www.rollingstone.it

Tunnel

Tunnel is a good bet for indie music.

Via Sammartini 30
Tel: 02 776 8007.

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