Summer in the Dance Hall — The Ortica Dance Hall

A piece of popular Milan in the Ortica district

The Balera dell'Ortica is one of the last bastions of popular dancing tradition in Milan. It's located at Via Amadeo 78, in the historic Ortica district (Municipality 3), one of the most genuine and least touristy souls of the city. With the arrival of summer, the dance hall transforms its courtyard into an outdoor dance floor and inaugurates the Estate in Balera series, a cycle of dancing evenings that accompanies Milanese people throughout the warm season.

How the evening works

The event is held every Thursday evening, starting from May 28, 2026. The kitchen opens around 8:00 PM with classic trattoria dinners, while live music starts around 10:00 PM and continues until midnight. You can choose between two options: dinner with a dancing evening, or just dinner at the trattoria without music. For those who only want to dance, there's an entrance ticket to be purchased on-site, reserved specifically for Thursday evenings.

Liscio, swing, and tradition

Orchestras and live bands alternate on stage, ranging from liscio to swing, and including the sounds that have made the history of Lombard dance halls. It's an atmosphere that blends different generations: expert tango and mazurka dancers, curious young people, and families from the neighborhood, all united by the desire to be together. The series is part of the Balera's broader calendar, which throughout the year also offers events like the Gran Ballo di Primavera (Spring Grand Ball).

Why it's worth it

In an increasingly vertical and fast-paced Milan, Estate in Balera dell'Ortica is an invitation to slow down. It's the place to rediscover the pleasure of couple dancing, genuine cuisine, and old-fashioned socializing, just a few minutes from the center but in another dimension. An authentic experience that tells the story of a Milan that endures.