Most people come to Italy for the wine (among other things), but sometimes you just need a great cocktail to start off the night right. There are plenty of local spots to grab a Negroni or a gin and tonic and a few places in Florence that are doing exceptional things with cocktails. On this list you’ll find a little of both.
Whether you just want to grab a beer where the locals drink or you want to experience something entirely new, we’ve got you covered.
Manifattura
Manifattura is like taking a step back in time, in the best way possible. The bar staff is dressed to a tee and the cocktails are named after iconic figures throughout Italian history. This spot has sexy vintage vibes and serves only Italian liquors and spirits. That means, if you are looking for a margarita, this place is not for you. Manifattura honors its own territory and traditions in a creative way which means so you will see some spirits that you might not be so familiar with so this is the spot to try something new.
Piazza di S. Pancrazio, 1, 50123 Firenze
Locale
Locale is hands down one of the best bars in Florence, which makes sense since it has been voted one of the best bars in the entire world. This chic and modern spot is definitely a departure from some of the more casual bars in Florence, you might even feel like you’re in a sexy little spot in New York City. That is until you look up at the impeccably restored original frescoed ceilings or take a walk through the basement which dates back to 1200. This bar offers a truly unique experience, inventive and distinctive modern cocktails in a stunning historical site.
Pro tip: If you happen to be there on a quieter night, ask to tour the downstairs (dating back to the 1200s) which is used for private parties and hosts a wine cellar and mixology studio where they concoct many of the ingredients used on the menu.
Via delle Seggiole, 12r, 50122 Firenze
Divina Terrazza at the Grand Hotel Cavour
There are a handful of rooftop bars sprinkled around Florence but only one can have the best view and that is the Divina Terrazza at the Grand Hotel Cavour. At Divina Terrazza rooftop bar you have all of Florence’s most important monuments right at your metaphorical doorstep, but it’s the duomo that really shines here! You could even argue that seeing the duomo from this vantage point is even more impressive than climbing to the top of the duomo itself since you get to see the entire dome this way. But be warned, this bar is small and can only host a handful of parties so make sure you make a reservation ahead of time (they will want a credit card on file to ensure you show up).
Pro tip: If you happen to be in the neighborhood and didn’t make a res, walk into the hotel lobby like you own the place, go directly to the back elevators and head up to the bar to ask for a table; don’t ask for availability at the front desk, they will almost always say no without a reservation.
Via del Proconsolo, 3, 50122 Firenze
I Macci
I Macci, located in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood on the north side of the river, is definitely a local spot. In the warmer months the clientele spills out from the bar into the piazza in front of the bar. Which means, even if you can’t snag a seat inside or out on the patio area, you are free to grab a drink and hang out around the bar outside. The vibes are fun and laid back and the cocktails are great. A classic local watering hole.
Largo Pietro Annigoni, 3, 50122 Firenze
Piazza Santo Spirito
This last one isn’t a bar per se, but Piazza Santo Spirito is usually the center of Florentine nightlife. This piazza on the south side of the river is home to many great bars and restaurants, most of which have outdoor seating. People dine at these bars and restaurants or gather around the fountain in the center of the piazza and on the stairs of the church. So even if you decide not to eat at one of these local eateries, feel free to grab a to-go spritz or beer and hang out like a local in the piazza.
Piazza Santo Spirito 50125 Firenze
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