Nightlife in Florence: 13 best places to party the night away
Cheers to the weekend! Florence, Italy, is a lively and social city. Being a highly popular tourist destination, there are always people from all around the world in the city looking to have a good time.
But not only that, even the locals love to plan a serata (“evening”) in the city center. Every day leading up to the weekend grows more and more popular, with Saturdays being the busiest night out on the town.
If you are looking to stay out and enjoy the post-sunset beauty of Italy, take a peek at these nightlife suggestions.
Grab a Drink
1.Pitta M’Ingolli
In the neighborhood called Oltrarno (which basically translates to “the other side of the Arno”), there is a piazza in front of the church of Santo Spirito. This zone has, in recent decades, become the new “it” place for young people.
While there are many places to grab dinner and drinks on the square, my personal favorite is Pitta M’Ingolli for its sweet simplicity.
The décor indoors is nothing to write home about, and the chairs and tables outside are nothing special, but the drinks are delicious, the service is good and friendly, and the price makes my wallet very happy.
Here, it is easy to give your full attention to the people sitting across from you as you swap stories.
2. Moyo
In the mood for a well-made cocktail? Make your way towards Santa Croce and hit up Moyo, the apertivo and cocktail bar-restaurant. If you arrive within apertivo hours (“happy hour”), you can get a cocktail and taste a delicious buffet of classic bar food or Italian specialties in a relaxed environment. After dinner hours, the bar gets yet more rowdy and energetic; sometimes, there is even a live DJ!
3. Gosh*
This bar can also be found in the Santo Spirito district, but not on the piazza. Instead, it is located a few streets away. Don’t be fooled by its isolated location, however.
This bar is anything but empty. In fact, many Friday nights, cars are unable to pass the street in front of Gosh* because of all the people standing outside the door, drink in hand, enjoying the company of their dear friends.
Despite the immense number of bar-goers, the bar still retains its calm and chill lounge bar climate. The cocktails here are top, as locals would say.
Check out the prescription list (their cleverly disguised menu) by the door. I highly recommend the whisky smash, or just ask the bartender to create something delicious just for you. Trust me on this.
4. Companion “Dolce Amaro Bar”
This bar is actually in connection with a hotel in the Santa Maria Novella district, so if you happen to be staying at the 25 Hours Hotel, you need to check out this bar. Of course this bar is open to everyone, including non-hotel guests.
The interior has a calming modern lounge bar atmosphere, perfect for an evening spent chatting with your travel mates. Try the Negroni, their house bestseller, or any other cocktail that is calling your name.
5. OPERA Riverside Albereta
Further away from the city center lies OPERA Riverside Albereta, a fun outdoor bar on the riverside. Don’t be alarmed when Google Maps leads you to a dirt road. This bar marks the beginning of a riverside walking trail. If you have the time, take a little stroll along the trail before, after, or between drinks.
The views from the river are stunning, and the quiet, less-touristy atmosphere is exactly what the doctor ordered after an afternoon crammed into the Uffizi like sardines. Please be aware that this outdoor bar is only open during the summer season.
Go Dancing
6. Flo’
Imagine the fun of a night out dancing paired with the breathtaking views of Piazzale Michelangelo. That’s what you can get at Flo’. Flo’ is a dance club located next to the famous piazza, with both an indoor and outdoor area to give you the best of both worlds. The club is open six days a week with DJ sets and music every night (excluding Monday). Flo’ is arguably the most popular discoteca in Florence, so entrance lines can get pretty long. But the fun is always worth the wait!
Properly situated in the city center, you can find Villa Vittoria, an outdoor restaurant and night club. You nearly forget you are in Florence based on the almost-tropical style décor. The Villa Vittoria hosts many different types of events throughout the week, but it is always a good location for a relaxing evening of drinking and dancing. If you intend to arrive early for dinner, it is recommended you reserve a table. Then after 8pm there is free entrance for lounge-style cocktails and dancing. Please take note that some evenings there is a dress code.
7. Villa Vittoria
Properly situated in the city center, you can find Villa Vittoria, an outdoor restaurant and night club. You nearly forget you are in Florence based on the almost-tropical style décor. The Villa Vittoria hosts many different types of events throughout the week, but it is always a good location for a relaxing evening of drinking and dancing. If you intend to arrive early for dinner, it is recommended you reserve a table. Then after 8pm there is free entrance for lounge-style cocktails and dancing. Please take note that some evenings there is a dress code.
8. Habana 500
If the temperature is just right and you have no desire to head inside for the evening, stay out! Habana 500 is an electric Cuban bar located along the Arno. The bar-goers are out for an evening of fun and socializing. This bar can be found just on the outskirts of the city center by Ponte a San Niccolò. Start your evening early by enjoying an apertivo while watching the sunset, stay for a delicious Cuban dinner, and finish off the evening with some mojitos and dancing! During weeknights, you can expect to see traditional Cuban dancing, sometimes with lessons. On weekends, the tradition gives way to lively club-style dancing.
9. Tenax
Near the Florence Airport you can find Tenax, another popular night club. This discoteca features not only DJ sets, but also live bands Tenax is a great location for a night out on Friday or Saturday (it is closed on weekdays). If you are feeling especially extravagant, there is an upper VIP-only area. The simple, minimalistic décor puts all the focus on the music and the dance; truly for an evening to listen and enjoy.
B.Y.O.B. – Bring Your Own Beer
There is no hard-and-fast law against public drinking in Italy. If you are looking for a calm evening amongst friends, I highly recommend trying the B.Y.O.B. route. There is, however, an ordinance against public drunkenness – so don’t go too crazy. To lower the number of drunks in the streets, Florence activates an alcohol-selling ban during the high tourism season. For this reason, you do need to pre-plan your evening out and buy any alcohol you would like from a mini market or supermarket before 8pm. After you’ve grabbed your favorite drinks, start off to find a place to sit and relax in your favorite piazza.
10. Piazzale Michelangelo
If you’ve been too busy visiting museums all day to hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo yet, any evening will do! Around the sunset hour, the Piazzale is filled with tourists – and sometimes a very talented street performer! However, after the sun goes down, the tourists tend to disperse and are replaced by young locals. The view of the city center from Piazzale Michelangelo is breathtaking no matter what hour you visit.
11. Piazza Santo Spirito
Remember Oltrarno, Santo Spirito, and Pitta M’Ingolli? That piazza is open for all, not just bar-goers. In Piazza Santo Spirito, there is a lovely fountain and some benches on which you can enjoy a drink for the evening. Of course, you are still welcome to bop over to one of the many bars surrounding the piazza and ask for a drink in a plastic cup to bring outside with you. This is a great neighborhood to meet locals, expats, and tourists alike.
12. Albereta
For the budget conscious, you may have chosen lodging further away from the city center. If that is you, a trip to the Albereta park may satisfy your desire for a night out while still staying close to home. This riverside park that stretches between Ponte Giovanni da Verrazzano and Ponte di Varlungo provides a beautiful view of the Arno, as well as a fine choice of benches all along the walkway.
13. Pescaia di Santa Rosa
This location is a bit more obscure because it is not a typical piazza. The dam can be found on the water between Ponte alla Carraia and Ponte Amerigo Vespucci. While you traverse the sidewalk of Lungarno Soderini, you will find a small path on the other side of the wall. Jump the wall and carefully follow the path down to the water’s edge. Many young people bring their own speakers to give the area a lively bar-like feel, right on the water level! Grab a drink and come join the fun.
Wrap it up
The hustle and bustle of Florentine nightlife awaits you. No matter what you are in the mood for, you can find the right place to be in the evening: cocktail bars, Irish pubs, dance clubs, a quiet drink on the riverside… everything is right here in the city. Come explore the night for yourself!
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