10 Best Places to See Live Music in Milan

Blue Note is a renowned venue in Milan that presents some of the best live jazz, soul, Latin and R&B in the city. With branches in New York, Tokyo, Sao Paolo and more, the Blue Note brand has been synonymous with jazz since the first branch opened in 1981.

The jazz venue is also famed for its delectable dining and irresistible cocktails. Tables and seating surround the stage area, allowing audiences to comfortably indulge in the combined pleasures of food, beverages, and live music. Despite its exclusive feel, the service is warm and friendly, making sure all feel welcome.

Nidaba Theatre is a live music venue in Milan that hosts an attractive mix of eclectic bands and performers. Featuring a fluid lineup of rock, soul, funk, blues, jazz and more, Nidaba is known for showcasing the finest local acts alongside regular guest appearances from international players.

The venue is popular among a wide range of ages and groups, with the friendly staff and relaxed ambience ensuring that the crowd here is just as diverse as the music direction. Its compact size means it’s never hard to create a dynamic atmosphere, while the venue’s old-timey looks give it an overall rootsy feel.

Social Music City is a large music venue in Milan designed to showcase avant-garde sounds on a festival scale. Regularly hosting international acts, the event space welcomes bands and artists from far-flung musical realms, from electronica to rock and almost everything in between.

Set inside a vast and futuristic hangar, Social Music City is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, making it one of the most contemporary concert halls in the city. There are bars and restaurants on-site, and the sheer size of the venue allows for some seriously unabashed revelry when the right performers are in town.

Biko club is a vibey music venue in Milan presenting an alluring blend of soul, R&B and hip-hop-related sounds. Hosting a mixture of retrospective and contemporary acts, the unfussy concert space is known to host some of the most effervescent events in Milan.

There's a separate chillout area for those who prefer engaging in conversation to dancing and the no-frills drink list is as unpretentious as the decor. Named after South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, the venue's noble aim is to help promote unity and multiculturalism in the city.

Teatro alla Scala is a beautiful opera house that's steeped in Milan's entertainment history. Opened in the late 1700s, the opulent venue is considered one of the world's premier opera houses. Many of Italy's finest opera performers have graced the stage, and renowned artists from around the globe regularly appear on the lineup. Aside from the music, the building itself is worthy of a visit, with the classical exterior and lavish auditorium both stunning to behold.

The venue was renovated between 2002 and 2004, with improvements made to both the decor and the acoustics. Among the modernisations was the addition of translation technology fitted to the seats – allowing the audience to follow the opera's narrative in their chosen language.

Aprés Coup is a popular bistro, cocktail bar, and boutique in Milan known for its aesthetics and jazz-infused music sessions. Though not strictly a music venue, the elegant space is brought to life by a rotating lineup of skilled musicians serenading its guests. Theatre performances also take place here, and art exhibits regularly adorn the walls.

With a gourmet menu, exquisite cocktail list, and beautifully designed interior, it's a great option for those looking to combine a sophisticated dining experience with a toe-tapping listening session.

Auditorium Fondazione Cariplo is a stunning concert hall in Milan known for its cutting-edge design and immaculate acoustics. The 1,250-capacity venue features an iconic spoon-shaped seating plan and a tiered gallery with a curvilinear balustrade, helping to ensure every nuance of the performance can be enjoyed by the entire audience. Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior – the striking auditorium is likely to appeal to design enthusiasts just as much as music lovers.

Home to the esteemed Giuseppe Verdi Symphonic Orchestra and Choir, the venue regularly hosts stellar artists from the classical music world and is considered to be one of Milan's most important cultural centres.

Teatro Dal Verme is a large concert hall that plays host to performances of some of classical music's biggest names. Known for its spacious auditorium, comfortable seating and outstanding acoustics, the historic venue is a favourite among Milan's classical music community.

Located on Via San Giovanni sul Muro, the Teatro was built on the site of the private Politeama Ciniselli theatre in the mid-19^th century. The venue has gone through many transformations over the years, from opera house to cinema, and to hosting classical music concerts, plays, exhibitions and conferences today. Many iconic names in classical music performed debuts here, with composers like Giacomo Puccini among those to have made a name for themselves via the illustrious Dal Verme stage.

The Rabbit is a much-loved bar in Milan known for its vibrant live music, delectable drinks, and warm-hearted service. Located in Milan's Nolo district, The Rabbit welcomes a regular crowd and has a wonderfully local feel. Despite this, all guests are treated as friends, making the bar a great place to get an authentic taste of local Milanese life.

The venue is home to a small restaurant that serves home-cooked dishes, and the bar staff are renowned for their expertise in mixology. The musical lineup features a roster of talented local players, with various musical styles represented depending on who's heading the bill on any given night.

Alcatraz is a large event space that's been a feature of Milan's musical landscape for almost 25 years. It regularly hosts concerts, club nights, and fashion shows. Alcatraz generally attracts a young and animated crowd, with revellers flocking to the dancefloor at weekends to get down to an expansive blend of effervescent sounds.

From pop to electronica and rock to rap, all manner of styles and genres can be enjoyed across the venue’s 3 rooms, with the huge main room stage amply equipped to host the biggest gigs. It may come as a surprise that Alcatraz is situated on the site of a former car workshop, quite a departure from the lively scenes that now occur here almost every night of the week.