Five particular places in Florence where to have aperitifs or spend the after dinner. Read the post and mark your favorites for an upcoming trip to Tuscany.
If you are a Firenze and you want to have a drink after dinner, enjoying a walk in the city, where can you go? It goes without saying that there are so many opportunities and there are places to suit all tastes: from the classic Irish pub to the most fashionable clubs. I recommend the ones I prefer, not necessarily the most famous or the most beautiful, but the ones that I think are worth an evening.
I make a small clarification: there are four main areas in the Florentine nightlife, associated with the reference squares. The first is Santa Croce, full of Erasmus students sitting and chatting on the steps of the church: you stand in front of the rather trendy clubs, with your glass in your hand, even in winter, braving rain and cold.
The second is not far away, Sant'Ambrogio, where the climate is more relaxed; as in the other area, that of Holy Spirit, where more alternative clubs in the Oltrarno are found. Here too, have patience: the stairways are the most comfortable place to have a drink and the people in the long and narrow rooms are a lot.
Finally there is the district of San Niccolò, very popular with Florentines and worthy of a night walk. You will find historical places, of those that have always been there, where you can drink good wine and maybe make aperitifs with cold cuts and cheeses. Keep your eyes peeled for the streets: the neighborhood is a favorite destination for the city's street artists.
If you go to these areas you will certainly find a pub that suits you, without the need for additional advice, because you will see that the choice is great. Moving from one place to another, then, you will find as many places to stop for a drink, until late at night. But let's get to my favorites.
First, let's start with Rex, between Piazza Santa Croce and Sant'Ambrogio. It is a particular place: I don't know how to describe it otherwise. The counter is in the middle of the room and the lights are almost greenish. You will find everything: antique suitcases, globes, vintage signs, mosaics with mirrors. Usually, finding a seat is a struggle and the crowd of people is really great.
Very suitable for an evening with friends, with the desire to listen to good music: I have never been disappointed by DJ sets. Another not insignificant thing is that the cocktails, even the non-alcoholic ones, are really excellent.
Not far away, you will find Le Murate, a space created in the former prison of Florence. Here you can drink, eat, participate in all kinds of events: concerts, readings, book presentations. The atmosphere is very suggestive and almost elegant. There is a lot of focus on the interests to be shared and this is the strong point of the beautiful venue in the heart of the city.
Another address not to be missed is La Citè, in San Frediano. It is a library café, where you can sip a tea or a glass of wine while wandering among the shelves of books or playing a game of chess. Take a look at the calendar of events: I have attended concerts of gypsy music, artistic performances, African dances, in short, the place is surprising for the people you will meet.
Also in the Oltrarno, but shortly after the San Niccolò district, is the Surf Ventura. Finding it was a treasure hunt the first time: the door you enter is really tiny. Even the rooms are not huge and on the walls there are objects that have to do with the oceans and surf, in fact. Worth for the cocktails, truly unique!
I end with my favorite, a place that is not very popular, but which I love for this very reason: tranquility is a rare commodity in Florentine nights! Is called Mayday and is very close to Dante's house, in the heart of the historic center. As soon as you enter you will not notice anything unusual in the narrow corridor, but once you arrive in the rooms you will remain upside down.
On the ceiling hang so many of those objects that make your head spin! Strange lamps cast shadows and images on the walls, the chairs are those of the cinema or those of the grandmother's straw: in any case all different. Then the waitress will bring you a nice basket of popcorn, along with the menu with special drinks for each season. The cocktails are really unusual, although I admit, the prices are a bit high.
