Autumn has arrived, sweaters and coats are out of the wardrobes, and umbrellas, unfortunately, are open. But at least the weekend is here and, despite the grey skies, it's time to enjoy that long-awaited free time. There's never a shortage of things to do in Milan and, even if leaden skies and the return of standard time tempt you to lie on the sofa at home surrounded by blankets and cushions, it's worth braving the weather and the seasonal air to shake yourself awake with some wholesome activity.
Here, then, are five things to do in Milan this weekend.
To Eat – Burbero
Burbero is technically a wine bar, but how many wine bars do you know that have a chef among the owners as well as in the kitchen? Burbero is actually a pas de deux: it was opened by Carlotta Perilli, who also serves as maître d', and her husband, chef Eugenio Boer. A small, intimate space for quick weekend lunches or dinners with friends in the format Milanese seem to love most these days: sharing plates. Chanterelle tacos, the ever-present toast, and the absolutely chic pigeon macaron, which promises to be the gastronomic delight that Milan will go crazy for this season.
Via delle Pioppette, 3
To Chill – The Doping Club
The Doping Club's look changed a couple of years ago, but the soul of the bar that made it a cult fixture of Milan South's most drink-fuelled nights has not. For autumn, the bar has unveiled a new drinks list called Back to the Good Old Days, inspired by the old chalkboard menus of traditional bars, transforming each item into an innovative cocktail. Classic staples such as coffee, cappuccino, as well as tramezzino, piadina, and soft drinks like cola, sparkling lemonade and orangeade become supremely refined cocktails that showcase the incredible technique of the mixologists working behind the counter. The drinks list is, of course, accompanied by a dedicated menu that takes the form of a small chalkboard 3D-printed for a fully immersive experience.
Piazza 24 Maggio
To Discover – "Global Antiquity" @ Fondazione Prada
Fondazione Prada is dedicated to modern and contemporary art, but also to modern and contemporary perspectives on art in general. The new exhibition Global Antiquity follows precisely this concept: curated by Salvatore Settis, Anna Anguissola and Chiara Ballestrazzi, with an installation conceived by Rem Koolhaas, the exhibition brings Mediterranean and Asian artefacts from 700 BC to 1000 AD into dialogue to show how even ancient cultures were capable of communicating with one another. Throughout the exhibition, other themes emerge, particularly that of reuse and circularity, demonstrating, in short, that the ancients were not so very different from us.
Largo Isarco, 2
To Shop – Older Studio Pop-up Shop
Older Studio is a brand that the nss magazine editorial team loves dearly. Its two founders, Letizia Caramia and Morten Thuesen, met while working at the McQueen atelier and work at the intersection of fashion and product design, with an eye towards upcycling and a shared passion for the world of uniforms. This weekend, Sunday included, Older Studio will bring its uniforms and a selection of upcycled pieces to a pop-up in the Moscova area, open from 11:00 to 20:00 on Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 to 16:00 on Sunday. Don't miss the chance to get your hands on some one-of-a-kind pieces.
Via della Moscova, 15
To Party – Arca Milano
This weekend is shaping up to be a scorcher at Arca. On Saturday evening, for house music lovers, joining the resident DJs will be Rinse FM with Dr Banana as guest star. For those who prefer techno and electronic music, the appointment is set for Sunday evening with Le Orrende. This latter event will be open to Arca members, while for Saturday night you will need to purchase tickets on the club's official website.
Via Rimini, 38
