If you’re heading to Florence this year, you’ll find plenty of nightlife in bars and restaurants, cafés and clubs to keep you entertained throughout the evening.

Florence is a vibrant historical city that offers hundreds of unique food and drink experiences taking place once the sun sets - not to mention your usual after-hours fun and excitement!

The Best Nightlife in Florence

From the most exciting bars and nightclubs to world-class restaurants and gorgeous piazzas, explore some of our favourite must-see things to do during your stay in Florence.

The best twilight views in Florence

Some of the best experiences that you can have after dark in Florence are found in public areas around the city. Enjoy breathtaking views over the city during a stroll around Florence’s historic centre and see how local Florentines while away their evenings while you’re there.

If you happen to be visiting Florence during one of the city’s many annual festivals, including the Carnevale Carnival in February and the Florence Dance Festival which runs through June and July, checking out nighttime festival events and performances is a must.

Piazza Santa Croce

The Piazza Santa Croce is a huge stone square that sits just outside the steps of the Basilica Santa Croce. It’s a wonderful place to sit in the evening, whether you’re enjoying a takeout cocktail from one of Santa Croce’s nearby bars or sampling late-night gelato from one of the city’s many street traders. This is a great spot to while away a few hours while enjoying the sights and sounds of a night in Florence.

Piazzale Michelangelo

If you want to enjoy the best views over Florence after dark, the Piazzale Michelangelo has to be at the top of your list. Piazzale Michelangelo sits at the top of a hill south of the Arno and offers magnificent views over the city. It’s a popular panoramic viewpoint for both locals and tourists, and during the evenings you may be able to find a bit more space - and peace - up here than during the day.

The best bars and restaurants in Florence

Many of the best bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Florence are in the Santa Croce area, often considered to be the heart of Florence’s nightlife. Whether you want to sample local culinary delicacies or enjoy an authentic Florentine cocktail, there are dozens of bars and restaurants across the city that provide.

Other bars and restaurants worth a mention include Kawaii, which is the first sake bar in Florence, and Budellino, where you can try a Lampredotto sandwich - a local delicacy made from the fourth stomach of a cow. If you want to try something a little different, Rasputin is a speakeasy bar hidden down one of the quiet streets around Sant Spirito square - you'll need to book in advance to gain the secret password for admittance on the night.

Coquinarius

Coquinarius is a favourite with Florentine locals who want to sample the region’s tastiest wines alongside authentic Italian cuisine. It’s set in the heart of the city and it’s a fantastic starting point from which to explore Florence’s nightlife. Coquinarius is an enoteca serving Tuscan favourites, including ravioli, burrata and balsamic pork fillets in a warm and rustic setting.

Rex Café

Rex Café is a central bar in Santa Croce with a fun, nautical theme. One of Florence’s most popular bars with local Florentines, it’s home to some of the city’s most interesting cocktails and most lively music sets. Open until 2 am every morning and featuring a giant turtle decoration hanging from the ceiling, you’ve never been to a café quite like Rex.

The Red Garter

If you’re looking for a home away from home, it’s got to be The Red Garter. Between Trivia Night Mondays and Beer Pong Tuesdays, there’s always something going on at this bar. The Red Garter is a bar-slash-steakhouse where you can enjoy late-night karaoke sessions while munching on American-style home-cooked steaks, burgers and ribs.

The Jazz Club

If you’re into music, Florence’s Jazz Club - which is just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo - is the ideal venue to spend an evening during your Italian city break. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Jazz Club lights up with live jazz and blues sessions from some of Tuscany’s most exciting up-and-coming acts. On Sundays, you can catch local stand-up comedians and spoken word sets.

Procacci

If wine and smoked salmon are more your speed, an evening spent in Procacci is just the thing for you. Florence sits in the heart of Italy’s wine country, and Procacci is a wine bar that celebrates everything there is to love about Italian wine. Enjoy smoked salmon and truffles alongside gorgeous red and white wines within a calm and relaxing setting in the Via de’ Tornabuoni.

The best nightclubs in Florence

If you’re planning to enjoy a late night in Florence, a visit to some of the city’s most popular nightclubs is a must. Whether you want to dance the night away or enjoy live DJ sets until the early hours of the morning, there’s plenty going on in Tuscany’s capital city.

Moyo

Moyo is conveniently located just steps from the central square in Santa Croce. It’s one of the city’s best stops if you want a lively atmosphere and gorgeous cocktails prepared with fresh fruit and high-quality liquor. It’s also home to some of the most delicious aperitivo in Florence if you’re in the mood for sampling a late-night buffet.

Flò

One of the most exclusive venues in the city, Flò is a nightclub that’s unlike anywhere you’ve ever been before. It offers gorgeous views over the city and pairs a distinctive, ever-changing buffet menu with a diverse range of music and an extensive drinks menu. Just be sure to dress well for a night out in Flò, or you could be turned away at the door.

Book your Florence Nightlife Experience Online

If you’re booking a trip to Italy, browse the food and drink tours and experiences in Florence currently available at tabl.com. Book your place today to enjoy some of the most unique and memorable tours that Florence has to offer.