The best bars and cafés Florence - Firenze

Opened in 2011, the Florence Hard Rock Café will delight lovers of the genre. There is a pair of trousers that belonged to Michael Jackson and a jacket worn by John Lennon.

A drink on the beach in Florence? No, it's not a joke, but just the Easy Living association which animates the banks of the Arno in summer and takes advantage of the only small sandy strip in the city, near Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, to offer a large number of attractions and theme evenings. Some local artists come to paint during the day, and yoga classes are often offered. In the evening, an outdoor bar provides customers with cocktails and pizzas. A very special atmosphere, like nowhere else in Florence.

This is a trendy but relaxed address, hidden in the shade of a quiet little square (piazzetta), between Arno and Borgo Santi Apostoli Street. On the terrace, the colourful recovery chairs, all different, attract the eye and curiosity. To fill up with vitamins, their fresh fruit juices, generous smoothies, should delight you. Otherwise, you can eat excellent sandwiches (to compose yourself), freshly prepared salads or sip a spritz or other cocktail away from the hordes of tourists.

Everyone here knows this bar. Incredible list of cocktails available, live concerts, vintage decoration... all the ingredients are gathered for the sauce to set. In a Florence increasingly invaded by the lounge trend, the Rex stands out for its uniqueness and a preference for rock music and attic bottoms. People come here to dance or have a drink in one of the large leather armchairs. The audience is eclectic: all ages and styles can meet each other without a hitch. Come around 10pm.

People come to this historic café, opened in 1846, for a good morning coffee on the terrace of the bustling Place de la République, for a snack or a full meal at noon. On some evenings, you can even enjoy the musical entertainment of this illustrious caffè concerto, where a grand piano takes pride of place. The Paszkowski has preserved elegant rooms dating from the beginning of the 20th century, richly decorated, with chandeliers, mosaics on the floor and wood on the walls. A place where the service sometimes fails, but which remains a point of reference because it made the social history of the city!

Located in front of the Baptistery of St. John, this is a perfect place to escape the crowd of San Giovanni Square! Because this pub, both modern and elegant, stands out for its very original concept: it promotes the great classics - burgers and good cold beers - but also vinyl. A record store that operates a bar. Or a bar that sells vinyl... As you wish! Unfortunately, prices are not given, but given the location....

Literary café during the day, trendy bar in the evening... This former prison (in use until 1985) has now become a very pleasant and atypical place to discover! In addition, Piazza delle Murateis one of those places where tourists rarely visit. In summer, free events (film screenings and outdoor concerts) are regularly organised there, as well as multiple cultural initiatives throughout the year. We like the atmosphere of this cultural café, a little alternative and bohemian, just like its customers.

Not the smartest address of the year, let's be clear, but this bar-restaurant has the merit of being well placed. Rough service in English. Classic offerings: cheese and charcuterie boards with focaccia, pasta (gnocchi, pici al ragù di Scottona, lasagne and gluten-free pasta), polpette della nonna (meatballs with San Marzano sauce and spinach), pizzas, salads and homemade desserts. Attractive prices. In short, plenty of food and drink before the climb up to piazzale Michelangelo!

It is about a place. As the weekend approaches, the piazza Sant'Ambrogio fills up in the evening. A strategic point, at the junction of major streets that lead to lively corners of the city (San Giovanni or Piazza Santa Croce), and close to the Faculty of Architecture, young students have no trouble finding their way around this square. It is often crowded from 11pm onwards, especially on weekends. The small bars nearby allow you to stock up on food. We meet there, talk loudly and toast.

For creative, unique, even exuberant cocktails, head for the small bar called Eby's, located in an alley just a stone's throw from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. After dinner, join the bustling crowd waiting behind the counter to sip one of the legendary cocktails, such as "Il Filo di Arianna" and "Il Vulcano", or if you prefer, spectacular shots, such as the "Nutellino"! We leave you the surprise.... Eby, the boss, is a real character. An original and increasingly popular place to discover without delay!

Do you want to get away from the tourist itineraries of the historic heart? A tip, take the direction of Piazza della Libertà, fifteen minutes walk from the Mercato Centrale, north of the San Giovanni district. There, an oasis of greenery, quiet, opens its doors to you. The giardino dell'Orticultura, mainly frequented by Florentines, also has a small and very nice village style guinguette where you can enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine, and a simple meal (salads, piadine, pizzas) as well as concerts organised on certain evenings.

Like a speakeasy inspired by the Roaring Twenties (you have to ring the bell when you arrive!), the Bitter opened in 2017 in the Sant'Ambrogio district. A surprising place, where the cocktails imagined by mixologist Cristian Guitti are particularly avant-garde, original and crafted. The menu, part permanent and part seasonal, features Negroni, born 100 years ago in Florence, as well as South American nectars such as pisco, tequila and mezcal. A cosy atmosphere and jazz music for an evening to remember!