This Is The World’s Smallest Bar With Only 4 Seats, One Bartender, And Just A Few Square Metres Of Space

In a world where bars often revolve around loud music, extensive menus, and crowded spaces, Milan’s Backdoor 43 dares to rewrite the rulebook. Nestled along a quiet stretch of the city’s iconic Navigli canal, this isn’t just a small bar — it’s incredibly tiny. Think four guests, one bartender, and a door that opens into a truly one-of-a-kind cocktail experience. While many bars pride themselves on space and spectacle, Backdoor 43 proudly claims the title of the smallest cocktail bar in the world — and it delivers. Far from being a limitation, its size is the soul of the experience.

More Than Just a Bar — It’s a Mood

Stepping inside feels like entering a well-kept secret. The lighting is low, the vintage decor oozes charm, and behind the bar stands a masked bartender wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, adding to the mystery. Unlike typical bars, there’s no menu to browse or crowd to dodge. Instead, you settle in and make the space your own for one uninterrupted hour.

Reservations are a must. Once you’re inside, it’s just you, your guests (no more than four), and the bartender. But he’s not just there to pour drinks. He listens, understands your mood and taste, and crafts something that somehow feels like it was made just for you. There’s no menu — just a quiet, thoughtful exchange that ends with a perfectly tailored cocktail in your hand.

Intimate, Intentional, and Unexpected

Every drink is created with care. Whether it leans citrusy, herbal, smoky, or strong, each cocktail captures a feeling rather than just a flavour. There’s no rush here, no noisy crowd — just intimate conversations, deliberate pours, and a deep sense of stillness. What makes the experience unforgettable is that it is rare. 

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More Than a Gimmick

Of course, the tagline “world’s smallest bar” sparks curiosity. But Backdoor 43 is far from a novelty act. The cocktails are top-tier, the design is deliberate, and every detail — from the music to the lighting — contributes to the ambience. Even if you can’t snag a reservation, there’s a takeaway window for signature bottled cocktails, so you can still get a taste of the magic by the canal. 

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Why It Stays With You

In a city like Milan, where elegance, style, and design are second nature, Backdoor 43 offers something refreshingly different. It’s ideal for a date night, a quiet celebration, or even a solo sip by candlelight. Most importantly, it proves a powerful point: in a world obsessed with more, sometimes the smallest places leave the deepest mark.

Where: Backdoor 43, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43, 20143 Milano MI, Italy

When: Open daily by appointment only (Reservations required)

Cost:₹6,000 – ₹9,000 (average cost for two)

Cover Image Courtesy: Backdoor43/Instagram