Entertainment in Tuscany
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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 22:30 on it's cocktail time, and Sunday night is particularly festive.
reviewed
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L’Incontro
A favourite to both Florentine big wheels and five-star travellers, this bar is in-your-face upscale. It offers ringside terrace seating on Piazza della Repubblica, or you can opt for the cosy interior decked out with banquettes of burgundy leather and, for no good reason, Romantic murals of Alpine idylls. Light meals and an aperitivo buffet are served.
reviewed
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Angels
At this trendsetter, your aperitivo is served under frescoed Renaissance ceilings that somehow manage to harmonise with the louche, ironically contemporary furnishings. DJs deliver a range of dance, lounge and electronica Thursday to Saturday. The hip, 30-plus punters often return to the adjacent restaurant for an American-style brunch at weekends.
reviewed
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Giubbe Rosse
The terrace on Piazza della Repubblica looks unpromisingly touristy, but inside the vaulted interior of this fabled, 19th-century cafe Filippo Marinetti and friends dreamed up Italian futurism. Walls are hung with works by generations of past customers, and there are both free foreign-language newspapers and regular literary happenings for the high-minded.
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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F
Kikuya Pub
Unusually generous cocktails - although it's really not that kind of place - and a predominantly foreign crowd are found in this traditional-looking English bar, where there's occasional live music and a good selection of English beer. Local boys visit in twos to check on the number of foreign girls drinking here (and to see what state they're in).
reviewed
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Rex Caffé
A firm long-term favourite, down-to-earth Rex sports great drinks and an artsy Gaudi-inspired interior.
reviewed
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Caffè Cibrèo
Duck into this charming old-world cafe behind Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio for a coffee and ciambella (doughnut ring).
reviewed
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Loch Ness
The tagline of this bar-club is ‘Get messy with Nessie’, and if you’re determined to get pissed without having to use a word of Italian, this is your place. Painted the colour of a London telephone box, it offers up foozeball, live acoustic music Tuesday and Saturday, two-for-ones until 11pm every day, and loads of eager Anglophone punters.
reviewed
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Klyk
In winter especially, this hole-in-the-wall club is appreciated by locals above all for its opening hours. For you can choose simply to sip your drinks at the tiny bar, or penetrate out the back to shake your thing around to a variety of sounds, depending on the evening. House nights alternate with mainstream pop, R 'n' B and hip-hop.
reviewed
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Caffè di Simo
For a respite from the sun's glare, immerse yourself in the chic Liberty (art nouveau) interior of Lucca's famous coffee shop. Its cakes are masterpieces.
reviewed
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Stazione Leopolda
Long abandoned, the city’s once-grand train station has won a second lease on life as a cultural centre that is best known for its Fabbrica Europa festival, which attracts avant-garde artists and performers from all over Europe. It’s located near the eastern end of Parco delle Cascine, just outside the Porta di Prato city gates.
reviewed
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M
Chiaroscuro
With arguably the best coffee in Florence – and that’s saying a lot – this casual bar looks more like Soho than Florence with its rough-cut wood interior and kitschy, ‘60s-style glass chandelier. A variety of excellent beans is available by weight, and the aperitivo buffet (6pm to 8pm) makes for a cosy early evening.
reviewed
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Teatro Comunale
Concerts, opera and dance are the staples at this old but utilitarian 2000-seater. You can catch all three of these arts in May and June when the theatre hosts the two-month Maggio Musicale Fiorentina festival. MaggioDanza is the resident dance company and puts on regular ballet performances and hosts visiting shows.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Circolo Aurora
Tucked into a defunct watchtower of the city’s medieval walls, this new and genre-busting restaurant, bar and cultural club has won fans across Florence. Attractions include an organic kitchen, a lively aperitivo hour and avant-garde arts programming. In warm months, crowds spill into the adjacent square.
reviewed
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Tabasco Disco Gay
Florence’s first and still best gay nightclub gets all medieval, hidden as it is in a catacomb of ancient cellars just off Piazza della Signoria. The music ranges from kitsch to electronica, while the crowd, which starts off gay, turns polymorphous as underground types of all preferences descend after 4am.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Caffè Gilli
At this Florentine institution you can sip your coffee or cocktail beneath Venetian chandeliers and billowy art-nouveau ceiling frescoes, or opt for the terrace, with ringside seats on the upscale bustle of Piazza della Repubblica. The elaborate cakes and sweets are also worth a gander.
reviewed
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Old Stove Duomo
In the shadow of the Duomo, this classic Irish place spread over two narrow floors has a good selection of draught beers and one truly outstanding draw – a little wrought-iron balcony with cathedral views that are heart-stopping. Jockey early and often if you want to make it your own.
reviewed
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Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
The curtain rises on opera, classical concerts and ballet at this lovely theatre, host to the summertime Maggio Musicale Fiorentina.
reviewed
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Novabar
The waiters are in black, the walls are black, even the floor is black in parts. Red lights and loud DJ-spun tracks of a distinctly hippity hoppity nature all go towards attracting a predominantly foreign crowd into this watering hole, divided into two separate drinking spaces.
reviewed
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Full Up
A variety of sounds energises the crowd at this popular Florentine nightclub where 20-somethings dance until dawn.
reviewed
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Montecarla Club
With its fearsome bouncers, boudoir furnishings and multilevel leopard-skin mosh pits, this small happening club exudes Late Empire decadence - as well as clubbing elitism. Dress to kill.
reviewed
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Universale
The owners have converted this old cinema, putting a restaurant upstairs and a bar in the middle of the downstairs area, around which gathers a mixed set of locals tending towards the beautiful people. In the background a screen plays classic black and white movie clips.
reviewed