A reliable spot for inventive cocktails, Rita & Cocktails stands out in the Navigli: the canal area is teeming with mediocre establishments, and this contemporary bar is like a port in the storm. The specialty here is fresh, quality ingredients and clever flavour combinations. Outside of the glass-encased patio, the main focal point is a bespoke wooden bar that practically fills the room; its light-coloured wood and under-bar lighting gives the space a crisp and modern feel. Pull up a stool and order yourself a Gin Zen, a refreshing cocktail made of gin, freshly crushed ginger, lime and soda. Or you can place your trust in the hands of the friendly staff by telling them your likes and dislikes and letting them craft a drink perfectly suited to your tastes.
Time Out tip: Take the time to walk along the canals—the Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese—that give this historic area its name. Constructed over hundreds of years, with input from Leonardo da Vinci himself, Milan’s system of navigable and interconnected canals granted the landlocked city more access to the outside world.
