Florence is not a wild, clubbing city — its evenings are about aperitivo, wine and atmosphere rather than dancing until dawn. This is a place to sip a Tuscan red in a historic wine bar, watch the sun set over the Ponte Vecchio from a rooftop, hunt down a hidden speakeasy, or join the young, bohemian crowd on the church steps of Piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno. Here are the best places for a drink after dark, from truffle-panini institutions to creative cocktail bars, with areas, prices and tips.
Historic truffle barProcacci
Area
Via de' Tornabuoni
Type
Historic truffle bar
“A jewel-box wine bar open since 1885 — order the tiny truffle panini with a glass of prosecco standing at the marble counter.”
Wine barLe Volpi e l'Uva
Area
Oltrarno
Type
Wine bar
“A tiny wine-lovers' bar just south of Ponte Vecchio — 50+ wines by the glass and superb cheese and salumi boards.”
Micro wine barIl Santino
Area
Oltrarno
Type
Micro wine bar
“A cramped, buzzy little wine bar on Via Santo Spirito — arrive early for a spot and graze on Tuscan small plates.”
Rooftop cocktail barLa Terrazza (Hotel Continentale)
Area
Centro Storico
Type
Rooftop cocktail bar
“The best-placed rooftop in Florence — book a sunset slot for a cocktail with the Ponte Vecchio right below you.”
Cocktail barManifattura
Area
Santa Maria Novella
Type
Cocktail bar
“An all-Italian cocktail bar — every spirit is made in Italy, and the drinks riff on regional ingredients and vintage recipes.”
Speakeasy / palazzo barLocale Firenze
Area
Centro Storico
Type
Speakeasy / palazzo bar
“A theatrical cocktail bar inside a restored Renaissance palazzo with a plant-filled courtyard — book for the full effect.”
Nightlife squarePiazza Santo Spirito
Area
Oltrarno
Type
Nightlife square
“The heart of the Oltrarno's after-dark scene — grab a drink from a bar and join the crowd on the church steps.”
Hidden speakeasyRasputin
Area
Oltrarno
Type
Hidden speakeasy
“An unmarked 1920s-style speakeasy — you'll need to find the door and often reserve; classic cocktails, intimate mood.”
Florence nightlife in detail
1.Procacci
Procacci is one of the most charming and historic places to drink in Florence, a jewel-box of a wine bar that has occupied the same elegant premises on the luxury shopping street Via de' Tornabuoni since 1885. Small, refined and glowing with dark wood, marble and vintage fittings, it is a survivor from a more genteel age and a lovely spot to pause during a day's sightseeing or shopping for a civilised aperitivo. Its signature and enduring claim to fame is the panino tartufato — a tiny, soft bread roll filled with a rich, aromatic truffle butter, sold individually and meant to be eaten in a bite or two alongside a glass of wine. These little truffle sandwiches are a Florentine institution, and pairing them with a glass of prosecco, Tuscan white or a good red from the well-chosen list, taken standing at the counter or perched at one of the few small tables, is a quintessential Procacci experience. The bar also sells truffle products, wines and delicacies to take away, making it a good stop for gourmet gifts. It is emphatically a refined wine-and-snack bar rather than a late-night venue, keeping daytime-into-early-evening hours, so think of it as an elegant afternoon or early-aperitivo treat rather than a place for a big night out. For a taste of old-world Florentine sophistication, a unique local speciality and a glass of good wine in beautiful historic surroundings, Procacci is a delightful and authentic institution well worth seeking out.
Hours
Mon–Sat ~10:00–21:00 (seasonal; closed Sun)
Price
Truffle panini ~€3–4 each; wine by the glass from ~€6
Getting there
On Via de' Tornabuoni in the centre, a 7-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: A jewel-box wine bar open since 1885 — order the tiny truffle panini with a glass of prosecco standing at the marble counter.
2.Le Volpi e l'Uva
Le Volpi e l'Uva is a small, unpretentious and deeply loved wine bar hidden on a tiny square just across the Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrarno, and it is a place of pilgrimage for anyone who takes wine seriously without wanting any pomp. Founded by three partners with a passion for seeking out small, independent and often little-known producers, it built its reputation on an outstanding, ever-changing selection of wines available by the glass — typically several dozen at a time — drawn from all over Italy and beyond, with a particular love for artisan growers you will not find on standard lists. The knowledgeable staff are generous with advice and happy to guide you toward something new, pour tastes and explain what you are drinking, which makes it a wonderful place to explore and learn rather than simply order the familiar. To accompany the wine, the kitchen turns out excellent, simple food designed to flatter it: superb boards of Italian and French cheeses and cured meats, warm crostini and a few small plates, all high quality. The setting is intimate — a cosy interior and a handful of tables out on the little piazza — and the atmosphere convivial and refreshingly free of tourist-trap trappings despite its proximity to the bridge. It is a daytime-into-evening spot rather than a late-night bar, ideal for an afternoon glass or a pre-dinner aperitivo. For genuine wine lovers and the curious alike, Le Volpi e l'Uva offers one of the best and most authentic drinking experiences in Florence.
Hours
Mon–Sat ~11:00–21:00 (seasonal; closed Sun)
Price
Wine by the glass from ~€5; cheese/salumi boards €10–18
Getting there
On Piazza dei Rossi just off Piazza Santa Felicita in the Oltrarno, 3 minutes from Ponte Vecchio
Insider tip: A tiny wine-lovers' bar just south of Ponte Vecchio — 50+ wines by the glass and superb cheese and salumi boards.
3.Il Santino
Il Santino is a diminutive, buzzy wine bar on Via Santo Spirito in the heart of the artisan Oltrarno, and it has become one of the most fashionable and enjoyable spots in the city for an evening glass among locals. It is the more casual, wallet-friendly little brother of the acclaimed restaurant Il Santo Bevitore next door, and it distils that kitchen's quality into a tiny, characterful room of exposed stone, a marble counter and just a handful of seats, which fills quickly with a stylish, in-the-know crowd who often spill out onto the street with their glasses. The draw is a thoughtfully curated wine list with a strong showing of natural, biodynamic and small-producer Italian wines available by the glass, poured by clued-up staff, paired with an excellent selection of small plates designed for grazing: boards of top-quality cured meats and cheeses, crostini, terrines and seasonal bites that punch well above the room's size. Because it is so small and so popular, it can be a squeeze, especially at peak aperitivo and early-evening hours, so arriving early or being prepared to stand and mingle is part of the experience — and part of the fun, lending it a lively, sociable energy. It is a perfect place to start an Oltrarno evening before dinner, or to settle in for several glasses and plates as a meal in itself. For characterful, quality-focused wine drinking with a hip local atmosphere on the south bank, Il Santino is a Florence favourite.
Hours
Daily ~12:30–23:00 (seasonal)
Price
Wine by the glass from ~€5; small plates €6–14
Getting there
On Via Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno, a 7-minute walk across Ponte Vecchio
Insider tip: A cramped, buzzy little wine bar on Via Santo Spirito — arrive early for a spot and graze on Tuscan small plates.
4.La Terrazza (Hotel Continentale)
La Terrazza is the rooftop bar of the Ferragamo family's Hotel Continentale, and it enjoys perhaps the most spectacular position of any bar in Florence — perched directly above the northern end of the Ponte Vecchio, so close that the famous bridge, the Arno and the Vasari Corridor lie almost at your feet, with the domes, towers and hills of the city spread out beyond. Open only in the warmer months and dependent on the weather, it is a compact, stylish open-air terrace where the point is unequivocally the view, best enjoyed at sunset when the low light gilds the river and the bridge and the whole city glows. The cocktails and wines are well made and come, inevitably, at premium prices that reflect the setting and the five-star address, so this is a place for a special, memorable drink rather than a cheap round — but for a golden-hour aperitivo or an evening cocktail with one of the most iconic panoramas in Italy laid out before you, few spots anywhere can compete. Because it is small and hugely popular, it fills fast and a table is not guaranteed, so it is well worth booking ahead, particularly for the coveted sunset slots, and dressing a little smartly in keeping with the polished atmosphere. Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, coming up for a single perfectly timed drink as the sun goes down over the Ponte Vecchio is one of the quintessential romantic experiences of a visit to Florence, and La Terrazza delivers it better than anywhere else in the city.
Hours
Seasonal, ~14:30–24:00 in the warmer months (weather-dependent)
Price
Cocktails ~€14–20
Getting there
Atop the Hotel Continentale by the Ponte Vecchio, a 2-minute walk from the Uffizi
Insider tip: The best-placed rooftop in Florence — book a sunset slot for a cocktail with the Ponte Vecchio right below you.
5.Manifattura
Manifattura is one of Florence's most distinctive and enjoyable cocktail bars, built around a clever and thoroughly Italian concept: everything behind the bar — every spirit, liqueur, vermouth, amaro and ingredient — is produced in Italy, celebrating the country's rich and often overlooked heritage of distilling and mixology rather than reaching for the usual international brands. The result is a drinks list that is both a patriotic statement and a genuine voyage of discovery, showcasing regional Italian spirits and botanicals in creative, well-crafted cocktails, many of them riffs on classic and vintage recipes reimagined with local products, alongside a deep selection of amari and vermouths to explore. The setting matches the concept: a warm, retro-elegant room evoking mid-twentieth-century Italian style, comfortable and characterful, with attentive bartenders happy to explain the provenance of what you are drinking and to steer you toward something new. It draws a mix of discerning locals and curious visitors, and the atmosphere is sophisticated but relaxed rather than exclusive or pretentious. Nibbles and small bites accompany the drinks in the Italian aperitivo tradition. Its position near the elegant Via de' Tornabuoni and Piazza Santa Maria Novella makes it convenient for an evening drink in the smarter part of the centre. For anyone who loves a well-made cocktail with a story, wants to taste beyond the familiar and appreciates the idea of a bar that champions entirely Italian craftsmanship, Manifattura is a memorable and rewarding stop, and a refreshing change from generic hotel bars.
Hours
Daily ~18:00–01:00 (seasonal)
Price
Cocktails ~€10–14
Getting there
On Piazza di San Pancrazio near Via de' Tornabuoni, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: An all-Italian cocktail bar — every spirit is made in Italy, and the drinks riff on regional ingredients and vintage recipes.
6.Locale Firenze
Locale Firenze is one of the most atmospheric and ambitious cocktail bars in the city, occupying the beautifully restored Palazzo Concini, a medieval-into-Renaissance palace near the Bargello whose frescoed salons, sweeping staircase and, above all, a stunning plant-filled internal courtyard covered by a glass roof provide a genuinely theatrical backdrop for a night out. Restoring the crumbling palazzo was a labour of love, and the result blends historic grandeur with contemporary design and lush greenery to spectacular effect, making the setting alone a reason to visit. The bar matches the ambition of the space with a creative, experimental approach to mixology: an inventive, frequently changing menu of signature cocktails built around unusual techniques, house-made ingredients, infusions and presentations that lean toward the modern and dramatic, crafted by a skilled team. It is a place designed for a special, dressed-up evening — a romantic date, a celebration or simply a memorable drink in extraordinary surroundings — rather than a casual local haunt, and prices sit at the premium end to match the setting and the craft. There is often food available and sometimes live music or DJ sets, adding to the sense of occasion, and the different rooms and the courtyard give it multiple moods across an evening. Because it is popular and the experience is best enjoyed at a table in the courtyard or a fine salon, booking ahead is strongly recommended. For anyone wanting to combine serious, creative cocktails with one of the most beautiful and unusual bar settings in Florence, Locale is a standout choice.
Hours
Tue–Sun ~19:00–02:00 (closed Mon; reservations recommended)
Price
Cocktails ~€14–18
Getting there
On Via delle Seggiole near the Bargello, a 5-minute walk from Piazza della Signoria
Insider tip: A theatrical cocktail bar inside a restored Renaissance palazzo with a plant-filled courtyard — book for the full effect.
7.Piazza Santo Spirito
Piazza Santo Spirito is the living room of the Oltrarno and the beating heart of Florence's more local, bohemian nightlife, a handsome tree-shaded square presided over by the plain, unfinished façade of Brunelleschi's Santo Spirito church and ringed by an ever-changing cast of bars, cafés, trattorias and gelaterias. By day it hosts a morning market and a relaxed neighbourhood scene, but it comes into its own after dark, especially in the warmer months, when a young, mixed crowd of Florentines, students, artists and clued-up visitors gathers to drink, eat, talk and hang out, often perched on the wide steps of the church with drinks bought from the surrounding bars, giving the whole square the feel of an open-air party. It is the antithesis of a slick, expensive cocktail bar — the appeal lies in its easy, sociable, slightly scruffy authenticity, the sense of being where locals actually spend their evenings rather than in a tourist enclave. The bars around the edges range from simple spots pouring cheap spritzes and Tuscan wine to livelier venues with music, and there are excellent restaurants and aperitivo options among them for turning drinks into dinner. It can get boisterous and, being a genuine public square, has a rough-and-ready edge late at night, but it is generally good-natured. For a taste of how young Florence really socialises, an inexpensive drink under the trees and a warm, convivial atmosphere with none of the polish or price of the smart bars across the river, an evening on Piazza Santo Spirito is essential.
Hours
Bars ~18:00 until late (liveliest in the warmer months)
Price
Drinks vary; aperitivo from ~€8
Getting there
On Piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno, a 10-minute walk across Ponte Vecchio
Insider tip: The heart of the Oltrarno's after-dark scene — grab a drink from a bar and join the crowd on the church steps.
8.Rasputin
Rasputin is Florence's original hidden speakeasy, a bar that leans fully into the mystique of the Prohibition-era American drinking den from which the concept is borrowed: there is no sign, the entrance is deliberately concealed and discreet, and part of the experience is finding your way in, ideally having reserved in advance to secure the location and a spot inside. Tucked away in the Oltrarno near Santo Spirito, it opens into a small, dimly lit, atmospheric space of vintage furnishings, low lighting and a hushed, intimate mood that transports drinkers back to the 1920s and feels a world away from the busy streets outside. The focus is firmly on the craft of the cocktail: skilled bartenders mix meticulous classics and creative house originals with care and a sense of theatre, and the small scale and secretive atmosphere make it feel exclusive and special, a place for a considered, grown-up night of good drinks rather than a rowdy bar crawl. It set the template for the wave of hidden and craft-cocktail bars that have since opened across the city. Because it is intimate and popular and the whole point is the discreet, uncrowded experience, booking ahead is strongly recommended, and it rewards those who go along with the conceit of the hidden door and the whispered address. For anyone who enjoys the romance of a secret bar and takes their cocktails seriously, Rasputin offers one of the most distinctive and atmospheric nights out in Florence — just don't expect to stumble upon it by accident.
Hours
Evenings from ~19:30/20:00 (reservation recommended; hidden entrance)
Price
Cocktails ~€12–16
Getting there
Hidden in the Oltrarno near Santo Spirito; the exact location is part of the secret — reserve for directions
Insider tip: An unmarked 1920s-style speakeasy — you'll need to find the door and often reserve; classic cocktails, intimate mood.