Milan has its share of glitzy clubs and cocktail bars, but most explode on the scene and disappear just as quickly. A few spots that appear to be in for the long haul include the vine-covered cocktail terrace at 10 Corso Como, the evergreen dance club Hollywood, and mega-club Plastic at Via Gargano 15. A newer kid on the block, Ceresio 7 Pools & Restaurant offers a novel setup: a chic, sleek rooftop lounge with two pools where one can enjoy a cocktail while enjoying amazing views of the city.

A venerable Milan institution, the Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Verdi has two stages for classical concerts, at Via Conservatorio 12. And Milan is forever associated with the grand old dame of opera, Teatro Alla Scala, perhaps the world’s favorite opera house. La Scala is decked out with sumptuous red seats, boxes adorned with gilt, and chandeliers dripping crystal. Tickets are hard to come by, so book well in advance of the opera season, which runs from December to November, with a break from late July until early September. Book online at www.teatroallascala.org, pay by phone with a credit card, or buy your tickets direct from La Scala’s booking office in the Galleria del Sagrato, Piazza del Duomo, open daily noon to 6pm (closed Aug). The ticket office at the opera house releases discounted last-minute tickets for that evening’s performance 2 1/2 hours before the curtain goes up; only one ticket can be purchased per customer.