Like many movie fans, I’ve always wanted to be a Tenenbaum – or any of Wes Anderson’s creations for that matter. I never dreamed that, dressed like one of his cast of characters in cherry–red Converse and hot pink sunglasses, I’d visit Milan in order to live out that fantasy. But as soon as I opened the doors of Bar Luce, and stepped out of the oppressive summer heat, my alter–ego took over.
Designed by the director in 2015, Bar Luce is housed in the Fondazion Prada, home of many of the city’s art shows. Yes, the sprawling complex is associated with the designer Prada, and yes, its imposing buildings – including one covered in gold – feel extremely high fashion. Which makes Anderson’s Formica–covered tribute to 1960s Italian café culture the ultimate stylish art installation, where you can enjoy the iconic director’s vision while satisfying a caffeine craving. (“While I do think it would make a pretty good movie set, I think it would be an even better place to write a movie,” he notes on Luce’s official website. “I tried to make it a bar I would want to spend my own non–fictional afternoons in.”)
