History
For many, Camparino in Galleria is quite simply a famous bar in the heart of Milan. But, truth be told, there’s much more to this historic locale than its elegant atmosphere and cocktails: in fact its past and heritage are inextricably interwoven with the city’s history and the artistic and cultural movements of the 1900s. Discover Camparino’s history.
Lights turn on in the Galleria
It all began back in 1867, when the the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II had recently been completed and Gaspare Campari – inventor of the homonymous bitter – opened the famous Caffè Campari on the corner with Piazza Duomo. On 14 November of the same year, Davide Campari, son of Gaspare, was born and made the history of Milan for being the first citizen being born in the Galleria.
Camparino in Galleria opens
In 1915, Davide Campari opened Camparino as a “younger brother” to Caffè Campari. Unlike its sibling, Camparino was equipped with an innovative system delivering a constant supply of soda water straight from the cellars, offering its numerous customers a Campari and soda that was always perfectly chilled. Other elements of the venues’ pride were the liberty furnishings, which were made by famous Italian artists and artisans, in line with the aesthetic canons of the Art Nouveau: the interiors featured work by celebrated cabinet maker Eugenio Quarti, master blacksmith Alessandro Mazzucotelli and painter Angelo d’Andrea, who designed the iconic mosaic for the Bar di Passo.
The Miani family takes over
Between 13th and 15th August 1943, the Galleria and Camparino were heavily bombed during devastating Allied air raids. After the second World War, the bar was taken over by Guglielmo Miani, the tailor from Puglia who had moved to Milan in 1922. The Miani family were to remain in charge of the business until 2018.
The new spaces
The Miani family carried out extensive renovations over the years: in the 1990s, the premises were expanded to include the former State Library located next door to Camparino, and it launched many successful projects with Campari Group.
The new Camparino
Located in the very heart of Milan, Camparino in Galleria is a modern, daring blend of iconic history and contemporary verve. This mixture of intellectual vigour and stunning architecture is translated in the elegance and flavours of Camparino’s cocktails, food and atmosphere. It’s a place open to all, just as it ever was, welcoming and creating new stories every day, and making its Italian voice heard around the world.
50 World’s Best Bar
Camparino is the temple of mixology: a venue that has made experimentation an art and attracts customers and bartenders from all over the world. A place to enjoy the perfect serve of iconic cocktails such as the Campari Seltz, Negroni and Shakerato, or be impressed by the unique flavors of innovative mixes such as Compadre, L’Ora del Bitter and Bitter Paloma. An endless commitment that led us to still featured in world’s most widely recognized bars rankings.
Location
Camparino, overlooking both Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Piazza Duomo, is located in the beating heart of Milan.
