From roof top bars to clubs and night caps, Florence has something for everyone!

Space

Largest Club in Florence

Large dance floor with plenty of room to actually dance! 

Address: Via Palazzuolo 37, Florence

Night: Wednesday and Saturday nights were most popular.

Price:  $10 cover, that includes your first drink, until 12:30AM (card accepted).

After that time, the price went up to $15. I preferred to get there on the early side even though it would be slow to avoid the price going up (around that time the club starts really filling up).

90% of the crowd seems to be American study abroad students.

Blue Velvet

A Local Night Spot

Address: Via Castello d’Altafronte 16r, Florence

Price: $15 cover, that includes your first drink (card accepted).

A private and more authentic night club to check out. I never saw my university peers, it always felt like the majority of the clients were local Italians. 

Less American music- but still a blast! It was also a 5 minute walk from our apartment on Corso dei Tintori, so that was convient.

Our friend meet a promoter and was able to get us bands for VIP which was also drew a good crowd.

l’Margaritaio Cantina Messicana

BEST MARGS IN FLO

Address: Via dell’Anguillara, 70 rosso, Florence

Happy hour is from 5:30-8:30PM everyday and the massive frozen margaritas and cocktails become €5.50. You CANNOT beat the price for the value.

Its sort of tucked away underground. Only a door to a downward stairwell is visible from the street. Nachos kind of expensive for the size when you can buy the supplies at the grocery store, but still nice to munch on!

There are fun shots including cupcake, Nutella, etc. My go-to drink was the passion fruit or blue frozen marg!

Latin artists are stacked to fill the playlist and brings the best vibes.

Red Garter

Karaoke Bar & Music Bingo with Prizes

Address: Via dei Benci, 33, R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

A local student travel company, Smart Trips, would hold music bingo at Garter on Wednesday nights at 8:30PM. Participants could win free trips,  travel discounts, and even food from the restaurant. 

Every week the theme of the music changes: Disney, country, 2000s throw backs, frat songs, Taylor Swift, Boy bands, etc. If you follow @SmartTrips on Insta you are able to vote for the week’s theme.

I personally went every week to Bingo and me and my friends were successful in winning some amazing prizes: free Chianti wine tour,  booze cruise boat trip in Croatia, and more. 

I believe on weekends (Fri-Sat)  there is a cover of $10 to enter the bar if you go later in the evening.

*PSA Creepy, older Italian men do sit in the back corners so be careful about your drinks!

Jazz Club Firenze

Great Vibes

Address: Via Nuova de’ Caccini, 3, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

Good for a chill night of drinks and good music!

Most people sit at tables and listen to the live band perform. We would bring a deck of cards to play games and chat.

Price: $10 member card + 1st drink free! Then you bring your card back with you and are able to get in for free the next time, but you just have to buy your own drinks. 

Oblate Cafeteria

Apretivo Time

Address: Via dell’ Oriuolo, 26, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

The public library in Florence is a must visit! It has an amazing view of the Duomo and plenty of places to work on the patio. It’s easy to grab an afternoon apretivo, the Italian version of happy hour, in their cafe.

XO Club & Lounge Firenze

Small Club

Address: Via Giuseppe Verdi, 59r, 50019 Firenze FI, Italy

One of the smaller clubs in Florence. XO Florence is known for its ‘Girls Night’ on Thursdays which allows women to have free entry. Just be caution and aware of the crowd that is drawn in as a result of this!

I only went once at the very beginning of the semester and didn’t go back because the strobe lights hang low on the ceiling and were blinding my eyes most of the night.

The Lion’s Fountain

College Bar

Address: Borgo degli Albizi, 34r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

This bar has a punch card system that if you buy a certain amount of drinks you will eventually receive a t-shirt. Many people become very serious about this and push hard to get the t-shirt (I have to admire the bar’s marketing tactic to boost sales from the college crowd). 

There are bracelets that you can buy to get a free shot with every drink you purchase. 

This bar is entirely filled with American students as a result of having a specialized shot for each university, and the walls being decorated with signed college memorabilia from previous patrons. You can order the “Endicott” or “Clemson” shot which matches your schools colors.

If I was back in Florence today, I would not go back. The last time I went, my friend was roofied in the bar and lost a lot control of her motor skills very rapidly. We were able to carry her home safely, but god forbid we weren’t paying attention and continued the night elsewhere something truly terrible could have happened. While this isnt a reflection of the owners, it is a reflection of the atmosphere and culture that has been created. 

**Disclaimer: These are just my personal opinion based off my experiences. You have to assume that seasons and crowds change as well as what is popular. 

Please be safe and look out for your friends and neighbors! Unfortunately, like in every city there are people that prey on others when they are vulnerable situations.

BE AWARE of your surroundings.