From Cocktails with a View to Live Music and Comedy… Four bars in Florence

The Stadio Artemio Franchi has it all – flares, noise and of course, calcio. And like football grounds up and down the country, here you can enjoy a pint while you take it all in.

But when the final whistle blows, forget about beer in a plastic cup, and try something a little more adventurous.

We’ve featured a couple of good Irish pubs in the city, but here are four more bars that tick the boxes.

For cocktails and a view: Loggia Rooftop Bar

If you’re going to do a rooftop bar, it should justify the lift ride. Loggia Rooftop, on top of Hotel Palazzo Guadagni in the Oltrarno, does exactly that.

This isn’t a flashy place. It’s relaxed, friendly and the kind of setting where one drink turns into three. Wooden furniture, cosy cushions and a view across terracotta rooftops that feels properly Florentine rather than staged for Instagram. You will see church domes, hills in the distance and a skyline that has barely changed for centuries.

Negronis are the obvious choice – this is Florence, after all – but the spritzes are excellent, and the wine list is solid. Prices are reasonable by rooftop standards (€15 for cocktails).

It’s best just before sunset, when the heat drops and the city switches gears. You’ll get a mix of locals and tourists; the dress code is casual, but it’s a perfect setting for those who like to get dressed up for the evening. This is a place to lean back, take stock and let the day end properly.

Piazza Santo Spirito. Open 10 am to 12 am, 7 days per week.

For wine lovers: Enoteca Sant’Ambrogio

Enoteca Sant’Ambrogio quietly delivers an excellent wine list and draws a crowd that is overwhelmingly local. The interior isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s still a great place to sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the ambience.

If you can ignore the lack of fashionable polish, you’ll find a brilliant selection of high-quality Italian wines available by the glass, making it the perfect place to stop off for a drink as you make your way to the stadium.

The real advantage is the outdoor seating. Sitting in the square with a drink, taking in the everyday noise of Sant’Ambrogio, is reason enough to come.

Piazza del Mercato Centrale. Open 9 am to 12 am, 7 days per day.

For live music and comedy: Bookstage

Tucked near Piazza della Repubblica, Bookstage is darker, smaller and far more about the drink than the view you get at Loggia. We stumbled across it by accident and ended up catching some incredible live music. We now recommend it to everyone going to Florence to catch a game.

The name isn’t a gimmick. Shelves line the walls, with plenty of books on display. The seating is tight but cosy. Hang about for a space to open up, it always does.

The bartenders are happy to talk you through drink options if you need some inspiration, but the wine and beer were excellent.

This is a bar for conversation – you’ll end up chatting to your neighbours during the performance breaks. Keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming events, or be taken by surprise like us.

Via Fiesolana. Open 12 pm to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and 12 pm to 12 am Friday and Saturday.

For old school elegance and people watching: Caffè Paszkowski

Founded in the early 1900s, Caffè Paszkowski sits right on Piazza della Repubblica and is an institution in Florence.

A cafè by day, in the evening, Paszkowski turns into a dependable stop for an aperitivo or a late drink. Inside, it’s classic and slightly grand – high ceilings, mirrors, polished wood. Outside, tables spill onto the square, making it an ideal spot for people-watching. Most nights you will find live music outside, even in winter.

Come here for a well-made Negroni, an Americano, or a cold beer, but be prepared to pay a premium to experience a slice of Florentine history with cocktails around €18.

Piazza della Repubblica. Open Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 1 am, Friday 8 am to 1:30 am and Saturday 8 am to 2 am.

There’s something for everyone in Florence to round off the night. Choose your setting, order something decent, and let the city do the rest.