If the Negroni is your preferred stirred, spirit-forward cocktail and you favor Campari for a Spritz over lighter aperitifs, a new bar in Milan has been created with your tastes in mind.
Camparino in Galleria, the historic bar located in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, has opened a new space honoring the inventor of the iconic bitter liqueur. The newly launched Sala Gaspare occupies the former laboratory of Gaspare Campari and pays tribute to his legacy—he created Campari in 1867 and went on to open the original Caffè Campari directly across from this venue.
© Melania Dalle Grave
Sala Gaspare is an intimate, 12-seat, reservation-only room where guests embark on a curated cocktail journey. The menu begins with historic recipes drawn from vintage books in the bar’s library that have been updated using contemporary ingredients and techniques. One example is a Loucien Gaudin cocktail from the 1929 collection Cocktails de Paris Présentés by bartender Charlie, which mixes Campari with Bickens London Dry Gin, Grand Marnier Louis Alexander and 1757 Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry.
After exploring these reimagined classics, guests are offered cocktails inspired by the very botanicals Campari used to craft his bitters, vermouths and cordials. Creations such as the spicy Peperone—combining Espolòn Tequila Blanco, Ancho Reyes Verde, coriander and tomato—or the Rabarbaro, featuring Cordial Campari, vetiver and rhubarb, showcase those flavor traditions in modern expressions.
The experience culminates with classic Negroni and Boulevardier preparations served with vintage spirits and bitters no longer in production, including bottles like Cinzano 1960 and Campari 1970. Each drink is accompanied by small plates from the kitchen, honoring the Italian aperitivo custom and encouraging relaxed, social sipping.
© Melania Dalle Grave
The room offers striking views of the Duomo and was designed by Vudafieri‑Saverino Partners, who incorporated Milanese iconography and traditional wood panelling to reflect the city’s aesthetic and the brand’s heritage.
Tommaso Cecca, head of mixology at Camparino, commented, “The unveiling of Sala Gaspare marks an exciting chapter in Camparino’s rich history. The bar’s meticulously crafted menu celebrates the legacy of Gaspare Campari and offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the iconic flavors that have defined Campari for over a century.”
Sala Gaspare is reservation-only and seats are limited. For reservations, consult Camparino’s official site. Until you visit, you can enjoy a Campari Spritz or another classic aperitivo at Camparino in Galleria to preview the flavors that inspired this new room.