Nightlife in Florence: The Best Bars and Clubs for a Girls' Night Out
By Isabella Capponi
Whether you are planning a girls trip to Italy, or you are planning on studying abroad in Florence, it can be tricky to navigate the nightlife of the small city of Florence. Since Florence is a hub for young travelers, no matter what night of the week it is, there is always something going on. I am going to break down the best nightlife spots into three categories; Clubs, Pubs, and Vibes. If you like to let loose and break it out on the dance floor you are going to want to check out the clubs. If you prefer a more chill yet lively environment, you wanna check out the pubs. And the last category is kind of a mix of both but has the best vibes out of all. Although Florence is ancient with history, its lively spirit and college kids keep the city young and vibrant.
Pubs
O’Hara’s Pub Firenze
O’hara’s is a small Irish pub owned by two Italian men. This bar has a pretty good mix of tourists and locals meaning there's a 90% chance you are going to make a friend by the end of the night. I have only had good experiences here with the people and the bartenders. The drinks start around 6 euro for a basic cocktail and you must try their Vodka Sour or Japanese Long Island. The location is great and located in the hub of bars including The Box, Rex, Lion’s Fountain and Jazz Club.
Lion’s Fountain
Located a 2 minute walk from O’hara’s, Lion’s Fountain is the main hub for American study abroad students and many tourists. No matter what night of the week it is, there are always people inside grabbing a drink. They are known for their extensive shot list on the wall that has just about every American university with a custom special shot that people come to try. This bar can get pretty packed on the weekends but even then people crowd outside to drink and have a good time.
The Box
I assume this bar gets its name from the size of its capacity. The Box is a typical locals spot to grab a 3 euro spritz and then sit outside. It is located just across the street from O’hara’s and by 9pm the entire block is a crowd of young people having their own stoop party. If you do manage to get one of the three tables located inside the bar, they have old chess boards for you to challenge your drinking buddy to a match to hopefully buy your next round of cheap spritzes.
Clubs
Yab
I would recommend YAB most out of all three options for a girls night out. The club is big enough that you can’t possibly get bored because there's a lot of spaces to explore. The entrance fee can be around 15 euro but it includes a drink of your choice. The line can get pretty crazy on the weekends so I would recommend checking it out on a Wednesday night to see if its your vibe and worth waiting the long weekend line.
Space
Space is probably the most famous club in Florence and also the largest. It has two separate floors and the main dance floor area reminded me of a New York City club like Tao. It can get really crowded and crazy which if that is your vibe then you will like it. If your goal of the night is to get hit on this is the spot for you, and your girls. You will literally have to swat these Italian men off you like flies.
Vibes
Jazz Club
If you enjoy listening to live music and making friends with people around you, Jazz Club is the place for you. Their genre of performers changes every night but make sure to check out their Jazz freestyle night on Wednesdays and grab a “Skinny Bitch” cocktail which will be the best vodka soda you’ve ever had. Depending on the performer's vibe it can get very dancy or very moody.
Rex Firenze
Depending on the night, Rex Cafe can be a chill spot to grab a drink with the girls or turn into the craziest club with a live dj. Before 10pm it's easy to grab a table and you will even get some peanuts and chips with your cocktails. They have a Jasmine Sour cocktail that is absolutely delicious and a must try. On the weekend after 10pm the bar turns into a club and always gets lively and rowdy but still not as crazy as a club.
What To Wear Out In Florence (Night)?
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