Florence is often associated with Renaissance art and historic architecture, but the city takes on a different character after dark. As museums close and tour groups leave, the streets fill with locals, bars open their doors, and a different side of Florence emerges—one that goes beyond the typical tourist experience.
This guide highlights the best neighborhoods to explore at night, offering a look at Florence beyond its famous landmarks.
Best Neighborhoods for Florence Nightlife
While it may not rival Ibiza’s party reputation, the nightlife scene in Florence is surprisingly diverse, with an eclectic mix of venues. Florentines enjoy everything from cozy enotecas to pulsating discos after sunset. Including evening adventures on a Florence itinerary will give a new perspective into local life.
To help plan the night, here’s where to go for the best nightlife in Florence:
Centro Storico
As night falls, Florence’s historic center comes alive. Beyond the daytime attractions, you’ll encounter some of Florence’s hottest evening venues in this area.
The Hotel Continental Rooftop stands out for its scenic views of the city center, where socialites usually hang out. There are also wine bars with over two hundred options on the menu and basement cocktail bars.
For those who like to taste history, Procacci has been serving traditional truffle paninis with the best Tuscan wines for nearly 150 years now.
Piazzale Michelangelo
The San Nicolo District is famous for its loads of speakeasies and underground clubs, where artists and hipsters like to hang out.
The Piazzale is located at an elevated point of the city by the river, from which visitors can sip their drinks while gazing at the Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo. It’s a bohemian hub with views of the river that visitors just can’t miss, as it’s also the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is the best place for posh wine bars and restaurants. Its 14th-century architecture never fails to evoke a noblesse vibe, and the Arno River vistas enhance the romantic experience.
Apart from wine bars, visitors can also enjoy live music along the bridge, watch storytellers, or simply walk by the bridge during sunset. The historical bridge connects the city center to the Oltrarno District, where more entertainment options await.
Oltrarno
On the other side of the river lies Oltrarno, which derives its name from “beyond Arno.” The district is the paradise of hipsters, where microbreweries, speakeasies, basement pubs, and traditional hole-in-the-wall wine bars sprout. From live DJs to poetry bookshops and punk rock bands, there’s a lot to discover across the bridge.
Oltrarno is very close to the city center, and some of the best wine bars in the city, plus Michelin-star restaurants, are just around Ponte Vecchio. Unsurprisingly, Oltrarno has been named “Florence’s coolest neighborhood.”
Santa Croce
The Santa Croce area is a great place for those who love Irish and English pubs. Indeed, trendy bars are all across the area. It’s very close to the city center and a common hub for expats. Sports bars serving comfort food and craft beers are everywhere, and some spots also include karaoke and live music.
Those wanting to experience Florence’s nightlife should explore Borgo Santa Croce and Via De’ Neri. This street connecting the main square to the riverside buzzes with energy, packed with bars and clubs that draw in students and locals alike. It offers an authentic slice of the city’s after-dark scene.
Rooftop Bars with Stunning City Views
If you love rooftop bars, you will need to visit Florence more than once to enjoy them all. The city has dozens of them, with privileged views of its most important landmarks and, of course, the Arno River.
The best way to enjoy those places is to get there at sunset and just stay for the night. Here are the best rooftop bars in Florence:
Loggia Roof Bar
The Loggia Roof Bar is among the best-kept secrets of Oltrarno’s neighborhood. It is conveniently located next to the Santo Spirito, where locals usually go. You’ll find it at the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, which was indeed a palace during Renaissance times. Regardless of being a former castle, the place has a quite relaxed and informal atmosphere.
The decoration blends beautiful plants with vintage lanterns, and visitors can enjoy views of the Boboli Gardens and the Bellosguardo Tower. Since it’s mostly known by locals only, it’s the perfect place to feel like one of them.
B-Roof
At the top of the Hotel Balglione, you’ll find B-Roof, divided into indoor and outdoor sections, plus an American Rooftop bar. The place is surrounded by glass from the floor to the ceiling, with unobstructed views of the city.
B-Roof is a must-see not only because of its tart pisco sours and other exotic drinks. It also has live music at night, from Wednesday to Saturday.
The bar offers all kinds of snacks, while the indoor restaurant has some very refined dishes on the menu. Dishes include local goods like pici cacio, nutty pecorino, and an unforgettable tarragon cream.
Divina Terrazza
Wines are great all over Florence, but those who want more punchy drinks should head to Divina Terrazza at the top of the Grand Hotel Cavour. Divina Terrazza became famous for its cocktails and after-dinner drinks, but it also has a lavish menu of Tuscan wines.
The hotel is located at the heart of the Centro Storico, and it’s also an excellent way of ending a day exploring the city. It’s not the tallest point in the town (the building has only six floors), but visitors can nearly touch the Duomo, and the Palazzo Vecchio stands tall, not much further away.
Final thoughts
With everything from historic piazzas turned open-air bars to hidden jazz clubs and pulsating discos, Florence’s nightlife is as rich and diverse as its daytime attractions.
So, when the sun sets on the Renaissance city, don’t retreat to your hotel. The real Florence is just waking up!
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