Bar Frida: The Secret Courtyard in the Heart of Isola
If you want to experience the real Milan that is hidden away behind heavy gates and old factory walls then you need to head to Bar Frida. It is located in the trendy Isola district and it definitely isn’t your typical polished city bar. Instead it is a vibey converted factory shed that feels like you have stumbled into a private park right in the middle of Milan.
A Secret Garden Courtyard in Isola, Milan
The decor is what makes this one of my favourite spots in the city. The outdoor courtyard is the standout feature because it is a massive open air space with trees growing through the floor and ivy cascading down the walls. There is even a giant moon installation in the middle of the courtyard that goes as soon as the sun starts to set.
How to Beat the Rush for the Best Seat in the House
The locals in Milan take their aperitivo very seriously and Frida is a bit of a legend in the area. If you actually want to secure a table then you will need to get there early. I suggest heading over around 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM so you can enjoy the peace of the courtyard before the crowds arrive. This ensures you have a proper spot for when the golden hour kicks in.
The crowd usually starts pouring in around 6:00 PM and that is when the energy really shifts. You can check out their website to see the drinks [menu]as the list is extensive.
They do a brilliant aperitivo here and have a few bits to pick on in their menu. When you order your drinks they usually bring out a spread of olives, popcorn, and some of their fresh focaccia. The focaccia is so good that we actually ended up ordering an extra portion from the main menu because we couldn’t get enough of it.
Planning a Milanese Aperitivo Crawl?
Once you have soaked up the atmosphere at Bar Frida, you should keep the night moving. You need to head over to [Bar Basso]. It is the birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato, and missing a drink here is practically a crime if you are in the city for the weekend.
It is a proper Milanese institution and the only place you should be on a Friday night if you want to experience the city at its most iconic. Don’t just settle for one drink in Isola: get yourself over to Bar Basso and see why it has remained the heart of the Milanese social scene for over eighty years.