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Astor Caffè
This is a place where you could take breakfast, then return some 12 hours later to mix with the nocturnal crowd who gather around for loud music and cocktails, opposite the solemn walls of the cathedral. Keep an eye on the giant red clock so closing time doesn't sneak up on you unannounced.
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Auditorium Flog
Regular live gigs from genre-spanning local and touring bands are the go at this big venue, usually followed by DJs spinning anything from old-school house to electronica. If you're here in October/November and like your world music, make sure to catch the terrific Musica dei Popoli festival.
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Barceló
Not much goes on here in winter, but from late May the team from Rex Caffé move in to create a busy summertime atmosphere. Although in action all day, it only swings into the groove from the early evening aperitivo on, attempting the noisy clamour of a Spanish bar (something a certain class of young Italians seem to hold in some awe).
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Bebop
There's no rhyme - sometimes not even reason - to the music played here, although you might find something to suit on its menu of jazz, blues and country. Admission is usually free and the atmosphere laid-back.
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Betty Boops
A luminous pink sign glows sickly across this quiet lane, but it's a sign that says you might be able to get a last very late tipple without having to resort to a club. It's a cramped little bar touting itself as a club, and opening days can be variable. When we last swung by it was opening throughout summer. Although open from midnight, it can be quite dead until .
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British Institute
The British Institute will sometimes put on English-language films in its library.
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Cabiria
Cabiria, a popular cafe by day, converts into a busy nocturnal music bar that continues on way past your bedtime. In summer, the buzz extends onto Piazza Santo Spirito, which becomes a stage for an outdoor bar and regular free concerts.
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Café De Paris
A modern café-bar that is especially busy for the summer evening aperitivo , and until about . On Friday and Saturday nights it can also get busy much later.
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Caffè La Torre
Caffè La Torre is a popular hangout near the Arno where you can eat and drink your fill without emptying your wallet. Live music goes on into the wee hours, with customers swaying and tapping along to jazz and blues or Latin rhythms.
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Capocaccia
Fashionable Capocaccia is an elegant cafe-bar with an alternative menu of snacks by day and one of the places to be seen at night, when cool Florentines snuggle up to other cool Florentines and the self-conscious bonhomie spills out onto the street. Throw in the occasional DJ and you'll see why it's almost impossible to get your motorino through the throng.
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Caruso Jazz Café
Thursday to Saturday nights this mellow café, with a vaguely baroque feel, offers jazz concerts from . The Gallery room, with its red sofas and low lights, is perfect for cosying up to your partner. They also have an Internet café next door and serve food.
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Central Park
Catering for a broad local and international crew, this party in the park has four dance zones with sounds ranging from top vocal house to awful Italian pop. The outdoor dance area is a summer must.
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Chequers Pub
Mainly foreigners hang out in this big and busy UK-style pub, although Italians sometimes frequent it too. In the background the big-screen TV will feature anything from European football to American basketball.
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Chiesa Santa Maria De' Ricci Concerti
Although they can be a little cheesy, the concerts of baroque and classical music staged in this church (the proceeds go, in part at least, to the church's restoration), may be your only chance to sample a little musical culture while in Florence. Quality is variable, but on the whole a night of favourites (such as The Four Seasons, a little Bach or Paganini) can make for a pleasant evening out. Arrive a little before showtime to get your ticket.
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Chiodo Fisso
Singer-songwriter and local legend Andrea Ardia has converted the medieval vaults of this one-time wine cellar into a cosy gathering place for wine and song. He sings his own material and covers Italian classics from Fabrizio de Andrè to Francesco de Gregori - sometimes alone, sometimes with guests. If it's open, this offers a singular opportunity to bathe in Italian musical culture over a bottle of red. Opening times can be loose.
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Cinema Fulgor
Thursday night is mainstream English-language movie night here, and you can get discount passes for groups or multiple sessions. In general Wednesday is cheap cinema day in Firenze.
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Cluricane Pub
Touting itself as a Guinness bar, this is really a warm, dark, drinking cubicle, with a fan over the bar and Latin music. But the Guinness (warm and cold) and Kilkenny are there. A handful of tables are set up outside in the warmer months.
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Crisco
Gyrating choons and cruising are the norm at this leather 'n' Levis men-only bar, which is particularly popular with the hirsute. There are x-rated videos and dark rooms.
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Eby's Latin Bar
Bright blues and reds greet you in a festive Mexican fashion in this lively Latin bar. Cocktails are good and the music tropical. Burritos (around €4.50 ) and other snacks are on hand and the place is a hit with locals.
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Exmud
This (literally) underground club serves up a staple of house anthems to a regular and lively young posse. There's a cocktail lounge and a chilled-out courtyard.
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Fish
A boisterous pub-style bar with a strong American air about it, the Fish attracts hordes of people, mostly young foreigners but also a sprinkling of youthful Italians. The terrace on the square is relatively peaceful, while inside the bar goes to some lengths to keep business humming, offering countless shots at a pittance and organising events such as its Friday night Free Crazy Party, when the drinking is free from to .
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Flor
The locals call it a 'cooking bar' and they certainly seem to think something is cooking here. Apart from a light and easy buffet lunch, a trendy set gather in this postage stamp-sized redoubt for the evening aperitivo, spilling out onto the pavement terrace (in spite of the traffic). From on it's cocktail time, and Sunday night is particularly festive.
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Full Up
Full-up by name and…you guessed it. This tiny venue is very popular with a largely Florentine crowd, made up of Fabios and the skimpily clad objects of their desire. It's a good place to go if you're looking for a Mediterranean orgasm (and we're not talking cocktails).
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Il Rifrullo
A great bar on a quiet corner of San Niccolò, this place gets a chirpy, suave crowd and is a wonderful spot to mingle with the locals, refuel on an impressive spread of aperitivi and slip into delicious cocktails. Hunker down inside, sit down on the pavement terrace or opt for shady spot in the back.
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Jaragua
Somewhat hidden from the main tourist stream, this is a cool Latin locale where you can admire some slick dance moves or join in - definitely the place to practice your salsa and merengue. Sip on a Banana Mama, Jaragua or Culo Bello ('Nice Ass'). The whole Latin thing is extremely popular with Florentines.
