Florence nightlife

Discover the best of Florence nightlife – from the best nightlife areas to Florence’s best clubs and bars.

Sofia

5 minute read

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Updated on 17 Jul 2023

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Living

Florence is one of the best cities in Italy for a night out. Not only it's extremely safe, but it also has endless fun locations where people can experience going out Italian-style.

Whatever, you fancy, Florence has got a great diversity of boozy bars and electrifying nightclubs. So whether you’re new in Florence or just here for a short while, find out some of the best nightlife areas, bars and clubs to visit.

Every neighbourhood of Florence has something to offer to its people. But some deserve a special mention. No matter where you go in the city or what you want to do, the “piazze” in Florence are the ideal starting point for any great night out.

Head towards Santa Croce if you want to find yourself with more expats than locals. You’ll find hundreds of people in their 20s and 30s hanging out at the main square or drinking a beer or cocktail at the various pubs surrounding the famous square.

Alternatively head to Piazzale Michelangelo which is another popular nightspot area. Although not as crowded as Santa Croce square, this area provides visitors with some of the best views of the city.

If you want to immerse yourself in the local Italian nightlife without many tourists, then Piazza Santo Spirito, San Frediano and Oltrarno won’t let you down.

Most bars in Italy serve aperitivo from 6 to 9 p.m. Aperitivo is a fantastic way to start the night out as you only need to buy a drink or two and the bars will keep serving you delicious small portions of traditional Italian food. So enjoy a few drinks and have a few bites as your night is about to start!

Some of the best aperitivo bars are Rex in Via Fiesolana, Moyo in Via de’ Benci, Kitsch in Viale Gramsci, and Rifrullo in Via San Niccolò.

Florence offers a never-ending variety of bars that'll make your night memorable. However, these're the most popular and loved by locals and expats.

1. Mad Souls & Spirits

Mad Souls & Spirits is probably one of the most affordable dive bars that’s loved by the locals of the area. Don’t be fooled by the looks; it’s one of the most chill and laid back bars in Florence that is frequented by locals and younger millennials.

The bar is especially known for its friendly informal vibe and uber-creative, no-fuss cocktails. Their crafty bartenders spin out the most amazing cocktails which cost an average of €8 - €10.

Definitely head up to this bar if you want some quality cocktails at an affordable price. We recommend trying their daily specials or reading their menu which will definitely make you smile.

2. Rex Cafè

© Rex Cafè Website

Probably one of the most famous pubs in Florence, Rex Cafè has been serving its customers since the 90s. The chill vibe and the delicious cocktails make Rex Cafè one of the locals' favourite bars.

This place is the best when you want to enjoy the good ol’ times. Whether you want to meet new people, catch up with old friends over a cocktail, sway to live music, or just dance the night away, Rex Cafè won’t disappoint. Try out their amazing cocktails and homemade spirits that’re oozing with flavour.

The inside of the cafe is worth mentioning as well. There’re tons of random vintage objects such as a traffic light, old photos, a record player, and more. Since the bar was inspired by one of Italy’s best ships, you’ll notice a counter that looks like a hull and several boat-shaped lamps too.

3. Love Craft

At first glance, Love Craft appears to be another normal bar, but in reality, this place is all about one thing: whiskey.

Love Craft is in fact Florence's first whiskey bar. Whatever whiskey or scotch you’re looking for, they probably have them since they stock about 200 brands from around the globe. Enjoy classic whiskey, whiskey-based cocktails or themed whiskey flights for a tasting.

Would you like a craft beer instead? No worries! This amazing bar also offers craft beers to its customers, which makes the bar more unique.

The relaxed vibe of this bar, the expert knowledge of the owner, and the wide selection of whiskey are what make this bar unique, even for locals.

1. Tenax

© Tenax Club Website

Open since the early 80s, Tenax is Florence’s most famous nightclub. This iconic club is popular with a young crowd of 18-30s. The best part is that the club is mostly full of locals.

It’s no secret to the locals that Tenax is popular for its legendary parties. The club features weekly live events with incredible guests and famous DJs from all over the world. Some of the guest DJs include François Kevorkian and Dimitri From Paris. You’ll especially love this club if you’re a fan of underground or house music and flashy lights.

You'll be fine with casual clothes unless there's a specific event that requires a more stylish dress code.

This club comes to life on Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 4.30 a.m., and on Sunday from 2:30 p.m to 7:30 a.m.

Although the minimum age for entering clubs in Italy is 16, Tenax only allows anyone 18+.

Price: Prices depend on the type of event. On average, the entry fee is €10 with 1 drink included.

2. Yab

If you're looking for a fun dance night in the historic neighbourhood of Florence, YAB won’t let you down. Located just a few steps from Piazza della Repubblica, YAB is a chic nightclub that attracts Italians in their early 20s.

Back in the day, several famous personalities danced on the floors of YAB, from Robert de Niro and Yves Saint Laurent to Balotelli and Tomba.

The club has 2 bars and a big dance floor where you can hear electronic and commercial music, as well as a hip-hop night on Mondays. You can also choose to have dinner or aperitivo with live entertainment from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Feeling extra fancy? You can even rent their Privée Downstrairs area for a private party.

The dress code for YAB depends on the event they host. Sometimes an elegant look is encouraged, while other times a casual dress code is appropriate. So have a look at their website to see the latest events.

The club is open every day of the week from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., except for Sunday and Tuesday.

Price: The entry fee is €10, which grants you 1 complimentary drink.

3. Full Up

If you’re looking for fun and entertainment, then Full Up is the place to be in Florence. All sorts of people, from students to celebrities, flock to Full Up to experience entertainment that is risque, bold, sexy, jaw-dropping, daring, and plain fun.

There’s a lot to keep you busy at Full UP – comics, burlesque and drag performers, musicians, and much more. So if you fancy a burlesque show and dinner, go for the cabaret Dinner and Show which comes with a 4-course meal. Love speakeasies? Head for the Prohibition Party and watch the bartenders transform into performers and serve you some Tuscany brewed drinks, cocktails, or some prohibition classics.

Full Up is strictly for those who’re 18+. The club also has a strict dress code – smart and elegant. So keep your big bags, ripped jeans, or trainers and the like at home.

The restaurant of the club and cabaret shows are open every Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. The bar is open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Price: Entrance to the piano bar event costs €15 and this includes 1 drink. Entrance to the Dinner and Show event costs €69. This includes a 4-course meal and a bottle of wine per 4 people.

If you thought Florence wouldn't have much of a nightlife, the places we mentioned will cast away your doubts. Head out to these places to experience the nightlife in Florence which is full of a cosy and friendly crowd, a wide variety of clubs and bars, and reasonably priced drinks all around.

If you're new to Florence, explore how you can use the friendly public transport to hop from bar or bar or find your new rental home in Florence's one of the neighbourhoods that are best known for their lively nightlife.

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