Nightlife
Florence after dark
Florence is a wine-bar town more than a club town: a glass on the steps of Santo Spirito, a cocktail near the river, a late one in Sant'Ambrogio. Start with the nightlife areas guide before choosing a venue.
Where to go out in Florence
Choose by mood| Area | Best for | When to go | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santo Spirito | A drink on the church steps, wine bars and a mixed local crowd | 19:00–late | About 10 minutes on foot from Ponte Vecchio |
| San Niccolò | Small bars under the old city gate, before or after sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo | 18:30–23:30 | About 15 minutes on foot from Ponte Vecchio |
| Sant'Ambrogio | Neighbourhood wine bars and late drinks away from the tour groups | 19:30–late | About 15 minutes on foot from the Duomo |
| Santa Croce | Students, cocktail bars and late opening near the basilica | 20:00–late | About 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo |
Bars
7 venues
Volume
A bar on Piazza Santo Spirito in the former workshop of a craftsman who carved wooden hat forms, with the old tools and machinery kept as decor. Casual, cheap by Florence standards and busy from aperitivo until late; drinks often end up on the church steps.
Le Volpi e l'Uva
A small wine bar in Piazza dei Rossi, just across Ponte Vecchio, focused on Italian wines from small producers by the glass, with cheese and cured meats. A good antidote to the crowds a minute away.
Il Santino
The tiny wine bar of Il Santo Bevitore, a few doors away on Via di Santo Spirito, with a short list of natural and small-producer wines and plates to share. Standing room spills onto the street.
Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
A wine bar and small restaurant facing Palazzo Pitti, with a deep Tuscan list and tables on the piazza. Sources disagree on opening days; check before going.
La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale
A rooftop bar on a medieval tower at the north end of Ponte Vecchio, with views along the river to the dome. Seasonal and weather-dependent; outside guests have generally needed a booking with a minimum spend. Check current terms with the hotel.
Locale Firenze
A cocktail bar inside a medieval palazzo near the Bargello, with elaborate drinks and a dramatic interior. Expensive, dressy by Florence standards, and best booked.
Rasputin
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar in the Oltrarno with no sign outside and a 1920s look inside. Reservations are needed and the booking process is part of the act; check the official site.