Florence Entertainment

Like many other great Italian cities, Florence is no party town, although there are some lively hangouts and plenty of live music establishments. Cocktail bars and wine bars are popular and there are also a growing number of Irish-style pubs.

Nightlife

Although Florence is not overrun with bars, there are several Irish pubs in town where much of the city’s student population tend to hangout on weekends. As establishments come and go, your best bet is to wander around the many piazzas to discover the nightlife for yourself; the small Piazza San Pier Maggiore near Santa Croce is usually a good choice. Florence also has a good collection of wine bars and a number of busy cinemas and nightclubs.

Theatre and music

Florence has an excellent theatre and two symphony orchestras, although they are not up to the standards of Milan and Rome’s classy establishments. The Teatro della Pergola is Florence’s foremost theatre, while La Pergola shows regular classical and classic plays. For live music, head to the city centre, where the likes of Dolce Zucchero features nightly live musicians and a small dance floor.

Festivals

Florence offers fun at all times of the year with a varied display of interesting carnivals, festivals and events. There is an array of music gatherings as well as many popular events over the river.

• Maggio Musicale is a month-long performing arts festival, with many concerts and ballet performances. The Orchestra Regionale Toscano and dance are one of the highlights (May).
• Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato is an annual international craft show set in the beautiful Fortezza da Basso (April to May).
• Biennale Internazionale d'Arte Contemporanea di Florence is a biannual event which features hundreds of contemporary artists including painters, sculptors and digital artists; held on even years (December).