principe bar {hotel principe di savoia – milan}

There’s something incredibly grown up about drinking in a hotel cocktail bar. To me it always feels a bit 1940’s and I think I’d be more comfortable  wearing gloves or a hat or at least high heels. I think I may have watched too many Humphrey Bogart movies, but still, there is a sense of refinement and old world style that is somehow preserved in the bars at grand hotels.

And there is no grander hotel in Milan than the Principe di Savoia. It kind of gives a new meaning to the world luxury. And while you might not be staying in one of the suites upstairs, you can at least check in for a few hours of pampering downstairs at the Principe Bar. 

With soaring ceiling, back lit bar and overstuffed velvet banquettes, the places oozes sophistication. While that would be enough as a backdrop to a classic Negroni or a glass of prosecco, they also do pitch perfect creative cocktails.

The evening I was there I had two of their specialties, which managed to use  cupboard staples which is something  I love. The Milanese Caipirina added saffron to the usual mix of cachaca and lime and the Passionate and Chili mixed chili powder with lemongrass and passion fruit. While there may be a lot of hipper, casual cocktail places around Milan these days, sometimes you just want a bit of pampering as your garnish. 

I was a guest of the Hotel Principe di Savoia while working on my app Eat Milan.

Hotel Principe di Savoia
Principe Bar
Piazza della Repubblica 17
+39.02.62301

For more information on dining in Milan and Italy download my app, EAT ITALY. EAT ITALY is a free app, and contains guides to Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice (and an ever expanding list of regions and cities) available as in-app purchases for both iPhone and iPad.