Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Table of Contents
The Arts
Music
Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori.
Also known as the Amici del Fortepiano (Friends of the Fortepiano), the Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori sponsors fortepiano concerts throughout the year. | Via di Camaldoli 7/r,
Santo Spirito/San Frediano | 50124 | 055/221646 | www.accademiacristofori.it.
Amici della Musica.
This organization sponsors classical and contemporary concerts at the Teatro della Pergola (Box office | Via Alamanni 39, Lungarno North | 055/210804 | www.teatrodellapergola.comt). | www.amicimusica.fi.it.
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
At press time, construction had been halted due to lack of funds on the Parco della Musica (Music Park) designed by Paolo Desideri and associates. Three concert halls (two indoor, one outdoor) are planned, and only one has been completed. Maggio Musicale plans to re-locate once construction is finished. In the meantime, it continues to be held at the Teatro Comunale ( Corso Italia 16,
Lungarno North | 055/287222 | www.maggiofiorentino.com). Within Italy you can purchase tickets from late April through July directly at the box office or by phone at 055/2779350. You can also buy them online. Call ahead to confirm if performances are taking place in this venue or have switched over to the new space. | Via Alamanni 39 | 50123 | 055/210804.
Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina.
This orchestra performs various concerts of classical music throughout the year at Orsanmichele, the grain market–turned–church. | Via Monferrato 2,
Piazza della Signoria | 50122 | 055/783374 | www.orcafi.it.
Orchestra della Toscana.
The concert season of the Orchestra della Toscana runs from November to June. | Via Ghibellina 101,
Santa Croce | 50122 | 055/2340710 | www.orchestradellatoscana.it.
Nightlife
Florentines are rather proud of their nightlife options. Most bars now have some sort of happy hour, which usually lasts for many hours and often has snacks that can substitute for a light dinner. (Check, though, that the buffet is free or comes with the price of a drink.) Clubs typically don’t open until very late in the evening and don’t get crowded until 1 or 2 in the morning. Though the cover charges can be steep, finding free passes around town is fairly easy.
Bars
Kitsch.
Choose from indoor or outdoor seating and take advantage of the great list of wines by the glass. At aperitivo time €8 will buy you a truly tasty cocktail and give you access to the tremendous buffet—it’s so good, you won’t need dinner afterward. | Via San Gallo 22/r,
San Marco | 50121 | 055/4620016.
Rex.
A trendy, artsy clientele frequents this bar at aperitivo time; around 10 o’clock, the place is packed with mostly young folks sipping artfully-made cocktails. | Via Fiesolana 23–25/r,
Santa Croce | 50121 | 055/2480331.
Sant’Ambrogio Caffè.
Come here in the summer for outdoor seating with a view of an 11th-century church (Sant’Ambrogio) directly across the street. | Piazza Sant’Ambrogio 7–8/r,
Santa Croce | 50122 | 055/2477277.
Zoe.
Though it’s called a “caffetteria,” and coffee is served (as well as terrific salads and burgers at lunchtime), Zoe’s fine cocktails are the real draw for elegant youngish Florentines who come here to see and be seen. Here’s people-watching at its very best, done while listening to the latest CDs imported from England. | Via de’ Renai 13/r,
San Niccolò | 50125 | 055/243111.
Previous Chapter | Beginning of Chapter | Next Chapter | Table of Contents