Even though we are currently experiencing a period that locals have labelled Maggembre, an Italian blend of May and December (and also a very popular hashtag on Twitter), summer is right around the corner, and Florence’s nightlife scene is getting ready to welcome the bella stagione with new openings and cool comebacks. If you are staying in Florence this summer, indulge in un po’ di aria fresca (fresh air) in these outdoor spaces.
Corte Reale
Piazza della Stazione
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The vibe is Florence meets LA. Grab a spritz, beer or the drink of your choice at the long curvaceous bar and take your pick from the street food stalls. From fish and chips to octopus panini, Chianina burgers and the best of buffalo mozzarella, indulge in people watching at Florence’s newest hotspot for the summer, right by platform 16 at Santa Maria Novella, so perfect straight off the train back from the beach. Open until 2am.
Flò Firenze
Viale Michelangelo, 82
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Located in the hills above piazzale Michelangelo, this is a fashionable house club that’s uber-popular among locals. Arrive early to enjoy an aperitivo buffet with typical Tuscan dishes and to secure a table as it fills quickly after 11pm. It’s on the sophisticated side, so dress to impress. If you’re on a budget, while away a couple of hours in the piazzale beforehand to take in the priceless views of Florence’s skyline—that way, you might not need to call your parents for financial help the next morning.
Rivalta Café
Lungarno Corsini 14r
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Right on the Lungarno, Rivalta offers some of best views of the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita: you can practically hear your Instagram profile screaming “grazie!” It’s a fun bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks and the crowd is generally on the hipster side. Prices are affordable and the aperitivo has some healthy choices. Enjoy pop and house music on weekdays and live DJ sets at the weekend. The perfect spot if you’re looking for a place to have a good time with friends.
Light – i giardini di Marte
Viale Manfredo Fanti, 4
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Just outside the center and—literally—under the Artemio Franchi stadium, this small bar opened last year and now it’s getting bigger and better with a newly opened pizzeria and a larger stage for live shows. Local bands, themed nights and soccer games screenings are all part of the Light package.
Easy Living – Spiaggia sull’arno
Piazza Giuseppe Poggi
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Located just under the San Niccolò bridge, Easy Living is open daily from 10am to 3am and offers a wide range of fun things to do. Sunbathe with a fresh organic fruit juice during the day, enjoy a fish-based aperitivo on the terrace at dusk and stick around to party at night. You can also take part in activities such as beach volleyball, yoga classes, art workshops and live performances.
Pop Café
Piazza Santo Spirito, 18 a/r
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Piazza Santo Spirito is one of Florence’s liveliest piazzas during the summer. Here you’ll find a mix of young Italians and foreigners enjoying a night out. Pop Café is probably the most budget-friendly option in the piazza and it also offers a student discount on select nights during the week. The venue is long and narrow with both indoor and outdoor seating, but many people opt for plastic cups and plates and then go sit on the steps of Santo Spirito, enjoying a view of the entire square.
Strizzi Garden + Bobo Checkpoint
SG–Via Gian Filippo Martiri, 5
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Piazza Ferrucci, 1
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If you’ve decided to live outside the historic center and fancy spending a quiet evening drinking a cocktail with some friends, Strizzi Garden and Bobo are the perfect choices. They both have kiosks with outdoor seating areas and serve up a delicious, varied, all-you-can-eat aperitivo for 5 to 6 euro. Both of these are great places to meet young Italians as they’re located a few miles away from the University of Florence campus.
Off Bar
Lago dei Cigni, Fortezza da Basso
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Off Bar is located in the Fortezza da Basso gardens, surrounding the Lago dei Cigni (Swan Lake). Various kiosks serve inexpensive cocktails, beers and other drinks. There are live performances and events, including concerts, movies and plays, every night. The crowd is young and you’ll find an interesting mixture of locals and international students.
