Blue Note Milano

Blue Note Milano is the city's best-known live music club and the main stage for jazz in Milan. It opened in 2003 in the Isola district, as the Italian member of the Blue Note family of jazz clubs that began in New York, and it has hosted a long list of international and Italian musicians, from jazz greats to soul, blues, funk and world music artists. The programme runs through most of the year, with several concerts a week.

The room is designed around the stage, with tables close enough to the musicians to give the evening an intimate club feel. You can come for the concert alone or combine it with dinner, as the restaurant serves food, wine and cocktails alongside the music. Dining at your table during the show is part of the experience, so arrive in good time to order before the music begins. Ticket prices vary with the act and the seating area.

Book tickets online through the official website, where each concert has its own page and purchase link. Popular artists sell out, so reserve early; the box office also opens from Tuesday to Saturday in the afternoon and evening. Seats are allocated by area, so check the seating plan when you book. Dress is smart casual.

Blue Note suits couples, music lovers and groups of friends looking for a night out that is more relaxed than a club. The evening shows are aimed mainly at adults. It is a good choice in winter, when the canal-side bars of the Navigli are less appealing.

Via Pietro Borsieri is the main street of Isola, a neighbourhood known for its independent bars, restaurants and street art. The nearest metro stop is Isola on line M5, a few minutes' walk away, and Garibaldi FS station is about ten minutes on foot. Before the show, Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Bosco Verticale are close by, and after it the bars along Via Borsieri and around Piazzale Lagosta stay open late. Check the website for the full programme a few weeks ahead, as the calendar is announced in advance and favourite artists can sell out quickly.