Florence · Nightlife

The Oltrarno square where the drinking happens on the church steps as much as in the bars around the edges. It fills after 10pm, it is free to sit in, and it is the cheapest night in the centre; buy from the bars on the square and take it outside like everyone else.

A garden bar built into the old city wall on the Lungarno di Santa Rosa, west of the Ponte alla Carraia, with tables under the trees facing the river. Open Monday to Thursday 8am to midnight, Friday 8am to 1am, Saturday 8:30am to 1am and Sunday 8:30am to 10pm.

A cocktail bar on Piazza San Pancrazio, a couple of minutes from Santa Maria Novella, that pours only Italian spirits, vermouths and amari. Small room, table service, and a list built around Italian bottles rather than the usual international back bar.

The courtyard of a former prison east of Santa Croce, now a cafe and bar with a programme of concerts, DJ sets, book events and outdoor tables in summer. Cheaper than the centre and the crowd is more local than tourist.

Florence's long-running club, at Via Pratese 46 out towards the airport, with the Saturday house night Nobody's Perfect and international DJ bookings. You need a taxi or a night bus each way; nothing here is walkable from the centre.