Eclectic new event venues in Florence have been popping up in droves over the past few months, but there’s one solid standby that’s been pushing the envelope and showing its versatility for 25 years running. Tucked away on via Fiesolana, a tiny street just a few short steps from Sant’Ambrogio, REX is a trusty favorite for a night on the town.
REX turned 25 this year, but don’t expect any quarter-life crisis from this quirky locale: if anything, its identity has only gotten stronger and more multifaceted. Every night of the week has a different theme, making it easy to keep your whole circle happy. Dance to the beat of your own drum on the weekends, when the place takes on a club-type character. More in the mood for unwinding to some good music? On the blues, funk and jazz nights, the tunes, coupled with REX’s cozy vintage armchairs, lend the place more of a lounge vibe. Then, of course, there are the tongue-in-cheek ‘Venus’ nights on Wednesdays, celebrating femininity in all its forms and featuring some of the top DJ-ing donne in town.
One face of REX that’s been largely overlooked is its prime positioning as a pre-dinner hotspot. With its convenient location around the corner from Sant’Ambrogio’s tempting trattorie, it’s the perfect place to whet your appetite as you sip a crafty-cool cocktail with friends.
TF recently got the chance to speak with REX’s charismatic owner, Daniele Palladini, a force to be reckoned with whose heart is in it for the long haul. Here’s what he had to say about his history and future with the hotspot.
The Florentine: How long have you been at REX, and how has it changed or evolved since you arrived?
Daniele Palladini: I purchased REX in 2008. Since it opened in 1990, it’s been under three different managements, including mine. REX has always been a key player on the Florentine nightlife scene, and it’s continued to be that way over the past 7 years.
TF: How did your interest in Florentine nightlife come about? Was there something missing that you were hoping to bring to the city when you took over REX?
DP: I had always worked in the nightlife world, in Rome and Milan and, before that, even in Jamaica. So when I moved to Florence it felt natural for me to seek out a nightlife spot. I was on the lookout for a place with quality drinks, a place with its own kind of ‘soul,’ and a place where people could have fun and relax freely.
TF: REX has regular themed nights every night of the week—and plenty of variety among them. What’s your favorite evening of the week and why?
DP: I love all of them! Fridays and Saturdays are fun because REX turns into more of a club, where people can dance late into the night. During the week, there are always high-quality concerts and plenty of chances to get spoiled by my extremely talented team of bartenders.
TF: REX’s reputation around town is generally one of a post-dinner place—but you also have an aperitivo. What’s the spread and atmosphere like at REX pre-dinnertime?
DP: Aperitivo at REX is a true aperitivo in the classic sense. Anyone who comes can try out our long list of original cocktails, prepared by expert mixologists who can suggest the best ways to combine the best spirits. This comes with some tasty, high-quality snacks, including mini-sandwiches provided by Amble’.
TF: These days, what type of people tend to flock to REX? Is there such a thing as a typical client?
DP: No! And thank goodness for that. We have customers and regulars of all types: Florentines, expats, tourists, you name it. The age range runs from early 20s well into people in their 50s. There’s also a solid socioeconomic mix—if I can say it, at REX, we welcome everyone: rich and poor, belli e brutti. (Laughs)
TF: Why should anyone choose REX for their next night out? How is it different from similar spots in Florence?
DP: Rex is something else entirely. It’s not just a cocktail bar, not just a club, and not just a concert venue. It’s a place where people want to hang out, live and fall in love.
TF: This year, REX is celebrating a big birthday: 25 years on the Florentine nightlife scene. How will you mark the occasion?
DP: We’re planning four days of feste: from Wednesday until Saturday, December 16–19, we’ll have an enormous ‘superparty’ with plenty of surprises for the crowd.
