MSGM, the Milan-based fashion brand known for its bold and contemporary style, has launched a unique project for Christmas 2024 that pays tribute to the essence of Milanese neighborhood bars. Titled I Bar di Quartiere, the initiative explores the cultural significance of these local hubs, where daily life unfolds through conversation, shared moments, and a sense of community. The project celebrates the new wave of entrepreneurs revitalizing these bars, blending tradition with innovation to transform them into vibrant cultural centers for urban living.
Four bars have been selected for the project, each exemplifying the transformative energy reshaping Milan’s drinking scene. These bars champion sustainability, support locally sourced wines, and maintain a strong connection to the city’s neighborhoods. Notably, Palinurobar, located in Milan’s Città Studi district, stands out as a prime example of this vision. With its commitment to natural wine, music, and design, Palinurobar embodies the spirit of 1960s Milan while incorporating a modern, creative twist that reflects the city’s evolving cultural landscape.
As part of the collaboration, MSGM has launched a capsule collection of merchandise, including T-shirts, caps, and wine bags, each designed to reflect the identity of the participating bars. The MSGM x Palinurobar cap, for example, features the embroidered logos of both the brand and the “I Bar di Quartiere” project, symbolizing the partnership.
Palinurobar: A Fusion of Natural Wine, Music, and Art
Palinurobar, which takes its name from a song by Neapolitan singer-songwriter Nino Buonocore, is more than just a bar—it is a cultural space that fuses natural wine, music, and art into a multi-sensory experience. The establishment’s founders, including architect-turned-photographer Fabrizio Vatieri, visual artist Nicola Nunziata, and innkeeper Antonio Crescente, have created a venue that reflects their shared passion for creativity and sustainability.
Vatieri, originally from Naples, is deeply involved in the bar’s music and photography, while Nunziata oversees the bar’s visual identity. Crescente, who has a background in gastronomy and a personal connection to wine-making through his great-grandfathers, brings his expertise in wine to the business. Davide Coppo, a journalist and copywriter, contributes his literary sensibilities to the project.
“We wanted to create a place where each of us could bring something unique, yet where our individual talents would come together in harmony,” explains Vatieri. Together, the team has cultivated a space that offers an authentic yet experimental approach to hospitality.
A Commitment to Natural Wine
Palinurobar is known for its extensive selection of natural wines—currently boasting over 500 labels from around the world. These wines, produced with minimal intervention and organic farming practices, are a key feature of the bar’s offering. “Every wine we serve has been personally tasted and approved,” says Crescente. “These are wines that embody human connection, crafted with respect for the land and the winemakers.”
Natural wine production, which emphasizes sustainability and environmental harmony, is integral to the ethos of Palinurobar. The bar also promotes transparency by offering wines from small, independent producers who use natural agricultural practices and avoid synthetic chemicals in the vineyard.
The founders have even created their own wine label, blending their talents across disciplines—Crescente handled the blend, Vatieri provided the illustration, Nunziata designed the label, and Coppo wrote the accompanying text.
A Mediterranean-Inspired Culinary Experience
Food plays an equally important role at Palinurobar, where the menu offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes made from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, including oysters, pickled vegetables, artisanal cured meats, and cheeses from Puglia. The bar’s experimental approach to food blends traditional Mediterranean flavors with influences from Nordic and Middle Eastern cuisines, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving culinary experience.
A standout dish is the signature bread with butter and anchovies, which is served on a tray designed by the artist Fausto Falchi.
“We approach food as an art form,” says Crescente. “We want every dish to tell a story, much like the wines we serve. It’s about exploring the connections between cultures and traditions.”
Music and Design: A Cultural Ecosystem
Music is at the heart of Palinurobar’s identity. With a state-of-the-art sound system and turntables, the bar invites guests to explore a wide range of genres, from jazz and funk to acid house and beyond. The musical selection is constantly evolving, with no single genre dominating the atmosphere. The bar’s sound profile is influenced by places like Brilliant Corners in East London, a renowned venue that blends jazz with natural wine.
For the bar’s opening, the team curated playlists that were paired with images of parakeets, photographed by Vatieri in Milan’s Lambro Park. The birds, not native to the area, symbolize disorientation—a feeling the founders aim to evoke in their guests through the space’s eclectic vibe.
Design-wise, Palinurobar occupies a former 1980s café, retaining its wooden interiors and charming fixtures while incorporating modern elements like custom lighting and a handmade bottle rack. The space also features outdoor seating and P08 chairs by Justus Kolberg for Tecno, designed to foster a sense of community and warmth.
“The design of the space is deeply connected to the history of Città Studi,” explains Coppo. “It’s a neighborhood we know and love, and there’s a sense of continuity in taking over this space that was once a beloved local café.”
A Cultural Hub for Milan
Palinurobar is more than just a wine bar—it’s a cultural hub where the worlds of music, art, and gastronomy collide. The team’s aim is to create a space where ideas flow as freely as the wine, fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange.
“The energy and ideas in this neighborhood are palpable,” says Coppo. “Città Studi is home to independent art galleries, fashion showrooms, and publishers. We want to be part of that cultural ecosystem, a place where people come together to share ideas, listen to music, enjoy great wine, and have meaningful conversations.”
Palinurobar continues to thrive as a cashless establishment, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
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