Summer’s here, and there’s no shortage of outdoor hangouts in Florence to soak up the season.

Manifattura Tabacchi turns into a cultural hub every Thursday evening through July 25. Expect new events every week, featuring music, shopping, art and sport, as the businesses remain open for the evenings. Pimp My Vintage has also been added to the mix, with a pop-up shop of vintage clothes every Thursday and Friday from 5 to 10pm.
Food, drinks and live music make Atollo a popular spot for the younger generation. Welcoming the Lattexplus festival with 20 different artists and DJs, Atollo is continuing to put itself on the map of Florence’s live music scene.
Villa Vittoria is an outdoor club and music venue that serves up special themed events throughout the summer, including Latin music, a flower party and the year 2000.
The Lodge starts out the night as an aperitivo place with phenomenal city views before turning into a restaurant and an exclusive club as the sun goes down.
Lumen is an experiment in urban regeneration through culture. The space comprises a bar and restaurant, a garden, and stages for DJs and performers, plus initiatives to encourage community participation and sustainability.
South of the Arno, Anconella Garden is an off-the-beaten-track venue, hiding a bar, restaurant, cinema, concert space and more, making it perfectly poised for a summer of events. The calendar features theatre performances, book presentations and folk dance lessons.


Savour Serre Torrigiani’s two open-air venues: the bistrot and piazza del Tre Re. The central location of the latter makes it the ideal spot to escape the bustle for an aperitivo, while the garden and greenhouse of the Bistrot provides ample space for events and art shows.
Venture upstream for food, drinks and a packed events calendar at Molo Firenze. Exercise classes, kids’ workshops and even capoeira sessions mean summer evenings need never be dull. For live performances, musicians take to the platform built on the Arno.
At Dogana Beach, aperitivo hour transitions into dinner with street food and burgers from La Toraia next door. Enjoy the music with a drink and some friends on one of the tables under the fairy lights.

Taking over Prato della Tinaia, Ultravox is the ultimate summer hotspot for evening entertainment. With a different concert, cinema showing or festival every night, there’s something for all tastes, and better yet, some events are free. The newly renovated food area provides ample choice for refueling and continuing the fun.
Limonaia di Villa Strozzi welcomes dance and music events across genres, from Beethoven to indie DJ sets, all in the garden of the 18th-century building. The food is organized by Sahara 76 as the menu entwines Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences.
Fiorino Sull’Arno returns with a full line-up of DJs and live musicians for the season, to be enjoyed while lounging on one of the riverside beanbags. Options for food include the restaurant, pizzeria or selection of street food vendors.
Bringing a slice of Cuba to Florence, Habana 500’s cocktails, cuisine and Latin dance classes have received official recognition by the Cuban Embassy in Italy. The weekly calendars include free dance lessons and exhibitions, as well as access to the beach volleyball court.
Campo di Marte’s park hangout, Light, makes the most of the multi-functional venue with a stage for DJ desks and musicians, a large screen for weekly film projections and plenty of tables to munch on a pizza or burger.
Film screenings (Sundays), sporting events (Tuesdays) and children’s activities (Mondays and Wednesdays) can all be found at La Montagnola in Coverciano. Saturdays see a range of workshops, such as typeface design and bike repairs.
Former prison Le Murate was converted into a cultural hub in 2011 and the summer offering continues to excite. Weekly schedules feature book presentations and dance performances, with the literary café providing fuel to sustain all of the cerebral activity.
On piazza Tasso, Circolo Aurora is a popular spot dedicated to live music and cocktails. Expect open mic nights, jazz evenings and special themed events all summer long.
Florence gets its own tropical beach bar in the form of Fuoribordo, where customers can try mini-golf and the human foosball pitch before choosing from the international street food options, including sushi, burritos and burgers.
Love Orticoltura is the name given to 2024’s summer offering at the Giardino dell’Orticoltura, featuring live music, art, sports and literature events in the picturesque garden and the impressive glass and iron greenhouse.
A favourite hangout in Le Cure, Fico Bistrot is back for another busy summer. The line-up of events is varied, with book presentations one day, swing music the next and open-air screenings of football matches throughout the season. Drive out to their second venue in Pontassieve, which sees live music, artisan markets and children’s workshops.
In the garden enclosed by Cartiere Carrara (ex Tuscany Hall), Festa del Mugello provides grilled delights as well as a playground, live music and a big screen to watch the Euros.
Entertainment is the number one priority at InStabile, aka the circus tent on the banks of the Arno. Live music ranges from jazz to Mexican fusion music. Check out the performing arts workshops: traditional African dances, drumming, the lindy hop, tap dancing, acting and even how to perform as a clown.
Where to watch the football: Euro 2024

Football fans might be wondering where to watch the Euros this summer. Here’s our round up of venues showing the games: any of the pubs (classics include The Fiddler’s Elbow and The Lion’s Fountain), Lumen, Dogana Beach, Ultravox, Limonaia di Villa Strozzi, Caffè Letterario Le Murate, Circolo Aurora, Fuoribordo, Fico Bistro, Festa del Mugello, and many more.