BackDoor43, Milan: Address, Phone Number, BackDoor43 Reviews: 4.5/5
BackDoor43
BackDoor43
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Navigli
The Navigli is part of historic Milan. In the ancient days, the entire city was linked with canals, similar to Venice. Today, most of the canals are gone, but the Navigli remains a canal-based neighborhood. There are two major canals: Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande. The Naviglio Grande's bridges greet visitors at dusk with an amazing view. The Navigli district specializes in clubs, cafes, and vintage shops. Lifestyle reigns supreme here. You can start the walk from the Colonne di San Lorenzo, an antique colonnade in front of the Basilica di San Lorenzo. During the daytime, this place acts as a meeting point for artists and students reading books or chatting with friends; the nights turn it into a stepping-stone for club hoppers. Science lovers will also relish the opportunity to visit the Science and Technology National Museum Leonardo Da Vinci, showcasing inventions of the Italian genius.
How to get there
- Porta Genova • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
6,649 within 3 miles

Al Bacio Navigli
149
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Contemporary • Healthy

Pizzium - Via Vigevano
1,271
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

Blues Canal
555
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • European • Lombard

Belé Ristorante
389
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European

Gente di Mare in Darsena
378
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Healthy

Gelateria Orso Bianco
399
0.1 mi$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly

Seoul Ristorante Coreano
299
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Vegetarian Friendly

Pasta Fresca da Giovanni
468
0.3 mi$ • Italian • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Testone
317
0.1 mi$ • Mediterranean • Barbecue • Street Food

Gelateria Latteneve
422
0.1 mi$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
1,596 within 6 miles

Ponte Alda Merini
4
99 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges

Santa Maria delle Grazie al Naviglio
96
142 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks

I Navigli
6,222
466 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Vicolo dei Lavandai
930
423 ftHistoric Sites

Roggia Boniforti
3
404 ftBodies of Water

The Walrus Pub Milano
7
0.1 miBreweries

Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro
17
0.1 miCivic Centres • Educational sites

Casa delle Arti – Spazio Alda Merini
10
0.1 miSpeciality Museums

Chiesa Di Santa Maria Del Sasso
3
0.1 miChurches & Cathedrals

Cortile Degli Artisti
1
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
96 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Alex
Venice, Italy3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
We stumbled upon this bar after grabbing cocktails at Mag Cafe next door. The self-proclaimed “smallest bar on earth” is the size of a closet—no more than 100 square feet with only 4 barstools. We made a reservation at 6 pm for the first available time slot on a Saturday which was 8:30 pm. At the bar, we enjoyed a series of custom cocktails and a variety of tastings for just about 50 €. It was one of the very best cocktail experiences of our lives. We learned so much and feel like so fortunate to have enjoyed such an intimate experience. If I could give it 7 out of 5 stars I would!
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jamie
4 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
If you’re in Milan then this is an absolute must do experience. With a maximum of three people (during covid), the bar has a very intimate feel and you have the chance to discuss all things cocktails with your barrister. Slightly on the more expensive side but you would expect as much. Be sure to book at least a couple of weeks prior to visiting because plenty of people were turned away during our hour session.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Amber G
3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A lovely bar and definitely a trip highlight. It was a little bit pricy given the deposit but we left satisfied that it was worth the money we spent. The bartender was informative and gave us some excellent local recommendations
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephanie S
2 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
A friend recommended we grab a drink at this tiny bar and we walked a long way in the cold trying to find it. Although this is indeed a really cool looking bar, the bartender who was on shift was super rude to us. The moment we stepped in front of the door he popped through a small window asking us to not enter and said that he was only able to offer drinks for take-away. Before we even got to decide he shut the window and left. I really hope this was a one-off incident.
Written December 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
The smallest bar in the world... I like visiting and drinking in great places every time I visit a new city... but this is UNIQUE !
I already published a long review about this place about 5 months ago... but as I became an "affectionate visitor" I think it's right to give one more review.
Additionally, as I noticed that only one review was given in English, and so I decided to write this not in Italian, to help Milan visitors to discover this secret and gorgeous place...
I could write so many things about the BackDoor, that I'll really make an effort to make this review short and effective. I'll try with a short list... but I really invite you to read/listen to all the other things you can find in magazines and TV interviews...
- Position: just in the heart of the Navigli area... great position.
- Cocktails: astonishing... it doesn't matter who will be on the other side of the bar: the cocktails are always great. The "specialty" here are cocktails using whisky as a base, but if you want something different you just have to ask for that.
- Bartenders: Bledar, Andrea and Loris (in the order I met them) are simply fantastic. You can just describe them your desires, and as magicians they'll transform your vague ideas into a cocktail... Just give them the possibility to follow their inspirations and you'll never get disappointed.
- Feeling: the place is warm, small (4 is really the maximum number...2 is probably the best one!), and makes you feel like as if the wooden walls would hug you. That's great... especially if you go there with a close friend or with somebody that is "special" for you.
- Getting there: as you probably understood that's not a place where you can easily go, so reserve in advance by calling on the mobile number, or by writing them a message... try to do it 2 weeks in advance...
One more suggestion.... ask to have a cocktail with the whisky they keep in the small bottle for infusions... and be prepared to try something special.
If anything is unclear or if you have any question... just ask me !
I already published a long review about this place about 5 months ago... but as I became an "affectionate visitor" I think it's right to give one more review.
Additionally, as I noticed that only one review was given in English, and so I decided to write this not in Italian, to help Milan visitors to discover this secret and gorgeous place...
I could write so many things about the BackDoor, that I'll really make an effort to make this review short and effective. I'll try with a short list... but I really invite you to read/listen to all the other things you can find in magazines and TV interviews...
- Position: just in the heart of the Navigli area... great position.
- Cocktails: astonishing... it doesn't matter who will be on the other side of the bar: the cocktails are always great. The "specialty" here are cocktails using whisky as a base, but if you want something different you just have to ask for that.
- Bartenders: Bledar, Andrea and Loris (in the order I met them) are simply fantastic. You can just describe them your desires, and as magicians they'll transform your vague ideas into a cocktail... Just give them the possibility to follow their inspirations and you'll never get disappointed.
- Feeling: the place is warm, small (4 is really the maximum number...2 is probably the best one!), and makes you feel like as if the wooden walls would hug you. That's great... especially if you go there with a close friend or with somebody that is "special" for you.
- Getting there: as you probably understood that's not a place where you can easily go, so reserve in advance by calling on the mobile number, or by writing them a message... try to do it 2 weeks in advance...
One more suggestion.... ask to have a cocktail with the whisky they keep in the small bottle for infusions... and be prepared to try something special.
If anything is unclear or if you have any question... just ask me !
Written April 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeroen van W
2 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Our bartender Mattia made some great cocktails for us, we're really glad we got to visit Backdoor 43 during our trip! If you plan on visiting Milan, try and make a reservation, it's really worth it!
Written March 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jonnym_7
Thrapston, UK951 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
If your in Milan, this has to be top of your list of things to do. Make sure you reserve a couple of weeks in advance. I did it via WhatsApp. The bar is brilliant and staff friendly. Drinks amazing. 12 euro a drink but worth it as you get the bar to yourself for 1-2 hours for free. Highly recommend.
Written October 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
hughesie93
Edinburgh, UK243 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Saw this place on TV and we were really excited to go. We turned up last night and queued for 20 minutes in the rain, sure that it would be worth it.
We finally got to the window to be served with still 90 minutes until it was to close. 'Have you booked?'. No, we hadn't. I had messaged them through Facebook a couple of weeks back but they didn't bother to respond. Hey, it will be fine though, as I have said there it nobody waiting behind us now and it's ages until they close.
'No booking, go away.' Really, that seems a bit silly.
'Go.' We are waved away by a faceless pair of hands. Our business is not wanted here.
Go somewhere else with staff who have some manners. Thankfully here are many other places around which fit this criteria and we were able to have a drink and dry off.
We finally got to the window to be served with still 90 minutes until it was to close. 'Have you booked?'. No, we hadn't. I had messaged them through Facebook a couple of weeks back but they didn't bother to respond. Hey, it will be fine though, as I have said there it nobody waiting behind us now and it's ages until they close.
'No booking, go away.' Really, that seems a bit silly.
'Go.' We are waved away by a faceless pair of hands. Our business is not wanted here.
Go somewhere else with staff who have some manners. Thankfully here are many other places around which fit this criteria and we were able to have a drink and dry off.
Written October 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
1hampshiregirl
London, UK527 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Booked in advance by our concierge and confirmed a week before, yet when we arrived barman said we didn’t have a reservation. Despite this we were allowed entry. Had seen the place on TV and internet and was expecting more of an ‘experience’ rather than sitting in a small dark space with an uncomfortable silence. Had seen barman wear a mask and do magic tricks/puzzles. Disappointed. Would not return or recommend.
Written March 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
L1ndaSedd0n
Leigh, UK54 contributions
I'm coming to Milan in August with my grandson (15) and wondered if it would be ok for us to visit and if there are any "mocktails" he could try? We saw you on Travel Man. Grazie.
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
Honestly, that would be curious... as you would probably not be the "standard client" of Backdoor. Nevertheless my answer is definitely yes!
They can prepare anything you want and, even if mocktails are not what they are famous for, I am ready to bet that they will be able to create something interesting for your grandson.
Maybe you could tell them in advance when you reserve ;-)
If you need any other suggestion let me know !
natalie v
Hinckley, UK51 contributions
I am going to Milan end of April 2019 and really want to go to this bar - do you need to book far in advance and also how do you make a reservation?
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
ABSOLUTELY !
If you are extremely lucky you can probably arrive there on a day when it's not fully booked, or maybe there has been a no-show... but if you are in Milan just for a few days I strongly suggest you to reserve in advance.
They generally star accepting reservations 2 weeks in advance and I generally book by sending a Whatsapp message (if you want the number write me a private message cause I probably cannot give it here) or probably you can try to contact them by FB. I also suggest you to explain that you'll be in Milan for a few days only and so you would like to reserve in advance.
If you need any other suggestion let me know !
607princess
Leeds, UK6 contributions
Hi my friends and I are only in Milan for 48 hours this weekend - are we too late to make a reservation for BackDoor43?
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
Sorry, I just saw your question. If you wrote on Friday then... yes it's definitely too late.
Generally I reserve 2 weeks in advance.
You may be lucky, so I would suggest to try in any case.
Another chance could be to go at MAG and to ask if, in case of a no-show at Backdoor they could let you in.
davide_tonolini
Milan, Italy
Buonasera, come è possibile prenotare il locale?
Grazie
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
TI suggerisco di chiamare il numero di telefono verso le 19.00
Altrimenti prova ad inviare un messaggio whatsapp.
Ti ricordo che conviene prenotare con circa 2 settimane di anticipo...
Se hai altre domande scrivimi pure direttamente
charlienin
London, UK32 contributions
I'd like to make a reservation for the bar, but I can't find a way to do this online. Do I need to call up or is there a way to do this? Thanks in advance for any help!
Pece_77
Milan, Italy553 contributions
Try to call or to send a whatsapp!
If you need help let me know!
Mel S
Stanley, UK12 contributions
I've read that you have options of a key to the locked door. Do you book in advance for the bar? Can I phone up for this? Thanks for any help. Very intrigued by this smallest bar in the world, especially if it has whiskey in it. Being Scottish myself :)
Salvatore B
Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy
Yes, you have to book in advance to “have the bar” all for yourself, and to get the key to the bar, but you can only stay up to a couple hours.
I know I’m late but I hope it’ll still help you ‘:D
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