If you were at the Milano Cortina Olympics in Livigno, it’s likely you crossed paths with Miky’s Disco Club.
What became the hot spot for partying during the Games in Livigno was unmissable, even if just in its vicinity. Miky’s long-tenured DJ and expansive outdoor space featuring food, bars and plenty of tables made sure its presence was felt, or more so heard.
Miky’s owner Michele “Miky” Martinelli estimates two to three Olympic medalists came through the club’s doors to party each day during the Games. Miky’s welcomed tons more to its outdoor space, Dutch house on its main floor and famed downstairs disco with a DJ, bar and widespread dance floor.
Opening at 4 p.m. everyday, Miky’s made sure they had just enough food and TVs showing the Games to keep everyone there through its 2 a.m. close. If you had one too many drinks before the disco opened at 10 p.m., there was even a golden slide to escort you from the main floor down to the disco dance floor.
Martinelli believes Miky’s became Livigno’s go-to spot during the Games because of his, his staff’s and regular customers’ welcoming attitudes.
Ringing in the achievements of their lifetimes at Miky’s was just about every medalist and Olympian in Livigno, including Park City’s Elizabeth Lemley, Salt Lake City’s Jaelin Kauf and Aspen, Colorado’s Alex Ferreira. Ferreira even took advantage of a Dutch house media setup to field his NBC interview with Mike Tirico from the club, standing alongside family and friends. He shortly after popped down to the disco, where he was serenaded with Queen’s “We Are The Champions.”
“I think 20 to 25 medalists came here,” Martinelli said. “We have been very proud.”
Martinelli transformed a family barn into the club 25 years ago. The disco walls don cow print in honor of his family. In the two decades-plus since Martinelli started chasing his dreams, much of his staff and local customers have stuck with him. Martinelli still stands outside the doors to Miky’s at night, welcoming customers with a smile and positive, outgoing attitude.
“Every person from the town has come here to party for 25 years,” Marintelli said. “We have a house for everybody. … We try to do everything for the clients, to make them happy.”
Martinelli and Miky’s reputations travel. Herbert Cool of the Dutch ski federation found out it was the place to be about a year ago and worked with Martinelli to set up the Dutch house, called Casa Olanda for these Games, where Dutch athletes, families and fans came to grab a bite and a drink and watch their compatriots. Casa Olanda had a bar, dining area and TVs with the Games on, all draped in orange, Dutch insignia.
“We both had a very clear vision on what the energy should be,” Cool said about Martinelli. “He knows that during the Olympics, especially in Europe, there’s always this Dutch house, and they throw a great party.”
Cool felt Miky’s and Casa Olanda perfectly encapsulated the happy-go-lucky vibe of the Games. Cool welcomed the Dutch Olympic committee to Casa Olanda and was confident they liked what they saw. Cool would love to keep the tradition rolling into the 2030 and 2034 Games.
“They were like, ‘Okay, maybe we should have done a bit more with this concept.’” Cool said. “I hope in the French Alps we can go for the 2.0 version, and then we should take 3.0 absolutely to Park City. We’d love to go.”
Latham Jenkins of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and his family and friends were late arrivals to the Games in Livigno last week. They had dinner reservations to rush off to Thursday but arrived at Miky’s for some pre-dinner drinks after hearing nothing but good things about the club. Jenkins and his crew were in Livigno to cheer on Kauf and skimo skier Anna Gibson, both from Wyoming originally.
“You can’t miss it,” Jenkins said about Miky’s. “It’s the go-to place in Livigno, that’s for sure. Just being here in the energy of everyone that’s enjoying the Games is pretty incredible.”
Martinelli said the Games weren’t going to set any business records for the club since February and March are typically a busy tourism season anyways. While Miky’s typically sees a lot of European tourists during this period, he was overjoyed to welcome customers from places like the U.S., Canada and Australia. Like many of the other business owners in Livigno, Martinelli hopes the new visitors decide to come back in future seasons. Martinelli believes returning tourism is a direct reflection of how the locals and businesses treated tourists their first time in Livigno.
“In these three weeks, we saw the world, and it was amazing,” Martinelli said. “I saw so many cultures partying together.”