After a busy day sightseeing or shopping, there’s no better way to spend the evening than relaxing over a few drinks. Whether you’d prefer to sip cocktails on a rooftop terrace, sample local wines in a cosy bar, or dance until the early hours at a club, this city has it all.
Explore our Florence nightlife guide before you visit to get the most out of your trip. We’ve also put together some tips on getting to each location so you can plan your night from start to finish. Whether you’re staying in the city or travelling from further afield, we’re here to help you make the most of Florence’s nightlife.
The best places for nightlife in Florence
Each area of Florence has a unique appeal, and the same is true when it comes to nightlife. For a laid-back atmosphere, make your way to Sant’Ambrogio and drink with the locals. Or spend a day wandering around the Oltrarno district, then head to the bars of San Frediano and Santo Spirito in the evening. If you’re looking for an all-night party, head to the clubs in Santa Croce.
Whatever the perfect night out looks like for you, these are the areas in Florence that come alive once the sun goes down:
- San Frediano
- Santa Maria Novella
- Santo Spirito
- Sant’Ambrogio
- San Lorenzo
- Santa Croce
San Frediano
Cross over the river to the Oltrarno district, and you’ll find San Frediano. Known as Florence’s trendiest neighbourhood thanks to its recent gentrification, San Frediano has an abundance of bars serving craft beers, local wines and experimental cocktails.
If you want to experience Florence at night as the locals do, this is the place for you. Still relatively unknown to most tourists, San Frediano has a slower pace than some of the city’s other areas, but it’s not short on nightlife. Borgo San Frediano is a narrow, one-way street teeming with bars and cafes, the perfect place to start your evening.
Why not spend the day in San Frediano before heading out for drinks? Visit the stunning Brancacci Chapel to see frescoes by Masaccio, then discover some vintage treasures in the shops on Via dei Serragli. There are plenty of great restaurants here too, which you can find in our dedicated restaurant guide.
Bookmark these bars before you go to make the most of your time in San Frediano:
- Mad Souls & Spirits
- One Eyed Jack
- Jumangi
- Floreal
- Lovecraft
- NoF
- Mysterium
- Kawaii
- Retrogusto
Getting to San Frediano
From the city centre, cross the Ponte alla Carraia or Ponte Amerigo Vespucci to reach this neighbourhood in under 15 minutes. San Frediano is only a 15-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station if you’re arriving by train.
Santa Maria Novella
Stretching from Florence’s historic centre down to the River Arno, Santa Maria Novella is a busy neighbourhood with plenty of nightlife to enjoy. Here you’ll find rooftop bars with stunning views of the city, riverside cafes open until late, pubs with live music and quaint wine bars nestled down side streets.
Santa Maria Novella is one of the largest neighbourhoods in Florence, so you could easily spend the whole day exploring before sitting down to enjoy a few drinks in the evening. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and Palazzo Strozzi, then head across the main shopping streets near the Piazza della Repubblica. Our dedicated guide to the best shopping in Florence will help you find your way around.
No matter what kind of night out you’re planning, there’s something for everyone in Santa Maria Novella. Some of the best bars and pubs in the area are:
- Santa Cocktail Club
- Terrazza Brunelleschi
- Strizzi Garden
- Manifattura
- The Arts Inn
- Antico Caffè del Moro
- The Joshua Tree Pub
- Public House 27
Getting to Santa Maria Novella
Walk towards the river from Santa Maria Novella train station, and you’ll stumble upon most of these popular bars. Several are situated near the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, less than ten minutes walk from the station.
Santo Spirito
Though the Oltrarno district may be quieter than Florence’s historical centre during the day, Santo Spirito has plenty of nightlife. Popular with locals and students, head here for an authentic experience of Florence by night. Santo Spirito merges into the San Frediano neighbourhood, so why not spend the evening bar-hopping between the two?
Santo Spirito is only a short walk from the city centre, so wander over here in the evening to enjoy an aperitivo away from the hustle and bustle. If you’re planning to visit the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens during your time in Florence, take a short detour to the Basilica of Santo Spirito in the heart of this peaceful neighbourhood.
Once you’re done sightseeing for the day, be sure to check out these popular bars, pubs and clubs in Santo Spirito:
- Rasputin
- Loggia Roof Bar
- Gosh
- Club Disagio
- Archea Brewery
- Langolino
- Bulli & Balene
- Enoteca 4 Leoni
Getting to Santo Spirito
Planning a night out in Florence? Walk to Santo Spirito in under 20 minutes from Santa Maria Novella train station, taking in views of the River Arno at night as your cross the Ponte Santa Trinita.
Sant’Ambrogio
To the east of Florence’s historic centre, you’ll find one of the oldest districts in Florence: Sant’Ambrogio. This neighbourhood has been the city’s Jewish quarter for centuries, evidenced by the Great Synagogue of Florence, which can be seen for miles around. Pay a visit to the synagogue and museum to fully appreciate the beauty of this 19th-century architectural masterpiece.
Sant’Ambrogio might seem sleepier than some of Florence’s other neighbourhoods, but there are many bars and pubs near the main square, Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, home of the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. The market is smaller than the Mercato Centrale, frequented by locals and restaurant owners buying fresh produce.
Why not have dinner at an authentic Tuscan trattoria in Sant’Ambrogio, then head to one of the nearby bars? Check out our dedicated restaurant guide to discover the best eateries in this area.
Some of the best places for a drink in Sant’Ambrogio are:
- Rex Café
- The Box
- Buca 10
- Da Carmelo
- Monkeybar
- Birreria Art. 17
- Vineria Sonora
- Caffè Cibreo
- Enoteca Sant’Ambrogio
Getting to Sant’Ambrogio
Travelling to Florence by train? Sant’Ambrogio is a 25-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station or a 15-minute walk from Campo di Marte station.
Santa Croce
Head south from Sant’Ambrogio, and you’ll find Santa Croce. Bordering the city’s historic centre and the River Arno, this neighbourhood is considered the heart of Florence’s nightlife scene. But there’s plenty to see here during the day, making it a great place to spend an afternoon before having a few drinks.
The main square, Piazza Santa Croce, was the birthplace of Calcio Fiorentino (Florentine football) in the 16th century. Games still take place every June, when this square transforms into a stadium. Before you head to the bars, soak up some of Santa Croce’s cultural offerings at the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Pazzi Chapel or the ancient prison-turned-gallery, Le Murate.
Santa Croce is a popular destination for locals, students and tourists, with a diverse range of bars, pubs, clubs and live music venues to choose from. Put these places at the top of your list when planning your night:
- Bitter Bar
- Nove 7
- Beer House Club
- The Book Pub
- Virgin Rock Pub
- Viktoria Lounge Bar
- Enoteca alla Sosta dei Papi
- Chupa La Chupiteria
- Logic Club
Getting to Santa Croce
Arriving in Florence by train? Santa Croce is an 18-minute walk from Campo di Marte station, or 25 minutes from the city’s central train station, Santa Maria Novella.
Getting around Florence at night
Florence is a relatively small city, so it’s easy to get around on foot. Many popular nightlife areas are close together, like Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce. So you can move from one neighbourhood to another and see where the night takes you.
Short on time, or don’t fancy walking? You can take the bus over to Oltrarno from Santa Maria Novella train station if you’re planning a night out across the river in San Frediano or Santo Spirito.
Even if you’re staying out of town, it’s easy to spend an evening in Florence and take advantage of the city’s nightlife. Travelling by train is the quickest way to get there, with regular services to and from nearby towns and cities, including Pisa, Bologna, Lucca, Siena and Arezzo.
Anticipating a late night out in Florence? Check your specific route to find out the last departure times from Florence to your destination. Most services finish around 23:00 and resume at 04:00 the following day. Some continue overnight with a reduced timetable and more stops.
Travelling by train to Florence?
If you're planning to spend some time in Florence, why not take the train? Getting the train to Florence is easy due to the high-speed rail connections operated by Trenitalia and Italo. You can travel to Florence from some of the most popular cities in Italy. Some of the most popular routes include Milan to Florence (1h 50m), Rome to Florence (1h 17m) and Venice to Florence (1h 59m).
Need more information about travelling to Florence by train? Check out our dedicated page to trains to Florence.