Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is not only a treasure trove of art and culture but also an increasingly popular destination for cocktail lovers. Especially in summer, the city comes alive with a wide selection of outdoor cocktail bars and elegant terraces offering breathtaking views and innovative drinks. From the Giardino della Gherardesca to Gucci Giardino, and the unparalleled sunset at Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, here are five suggestions for an unforgettable aperitivo.
Atrium Bar - Four Seasons
Located in the heart of Florence’s historic center, the Giardino della Gherardesca at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze combines elegance with top-tier hospitality. As one of Italy’s most renowned cocktail bars, the Atrium Bar is a highlight of the hotel, along with its Michelin-starred restaurant Il Palagio. During summer, both offerings move outdoors into the garden. Here, skilled bartenders Edoardo Sandri and Antonello Palermo craft original and beautifully presented drinks, allowing hotel guests and visitors alike to enjoy a refined aperitivo by the pool. The drink of summer 2024? The "Garden Lover," a clear homage to the garden’s green vibes, made with cachaça, Bareksten Botanical Aquavit, and coconut sugar.
Gucci Giardino
Nestled like a gem in the heart of Piazza della Signoria, this café and cocktail bar by the famous fashion house is open all day. Inspired by a historic florist that once occupied one of the square’s spaces, the venue features harmonious contrasts, blending Gucci’s codes with the Florentine atmosphere and drawing inspiration from the colors, scents, and exuberance of florists. Gucci Giardino is led by the award-winning Bar Manager Martina Bonci, who infuses her cocktails with creative inventiveness, using only the highest quality ingredients. Besides her iconic "Mémoire di Negroni," a violet-hued Negroni that has garnered accolades in Italy and beyond, the summer drink list includes the "Guilty," made with Tequila Casamigos Blanco infused with watermelon, Muyu Jasmine, raspberry, rosemary, lemon, and pink grapefruit soda, and the "Miss Rossini," featuring Bitter Fusetti, lemon, and strawberry. Two sweet and refreshing sips of summer for those staying in or visiting Florence.
Empireo Rooftop View American Bar & Pool - Plaza Hotel Lucchesi
The Empireo Rooftop, alongside The Social Hub, is easily one of the most beautiful and Instagram-worthy rooftops in Florence. With breathtaking views of the Duomo and Santa Croce, along with its sparkling pool and friendly service, it’s an ideal location for light lunches, aperitivi, and dinners. The bar’s offerings, curated by manager Enrico Cascella and head bartender Samuel Immovilli, range from classic favorites to more innovative signature cocktails that perfectly complement the beauty of the setting. Given the hotel’s international clientele, Mojitos and Gin & Tonics are popular choices, but we recommend trying one of the signatures, like the "Geppetto"—a twist on the Margarita made with Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Triple Sec, agave syrup, Pino Mugo Quaglia, Pinot Noir, tomato water with 2% salt, and lemon juice.
Serre Torrigiani
Located within the majestic Giardino Torrigiani, Serre Torrigiani has been offering quality summer cocktails and a food menu that blends tradition with modernity for years. The setting is an enchanting Italian garden, with an ambiance that is never dull. The bartenders, Lapo Scacciati, Elia Gini, Leonardo Scorza, and Barbara Scorza, are bright and ambitious, entertaining a proudly local (and not only) clientele with convincing drinks and constant smiles. Among the cocktails best suited to combat the Florentine heat are the "Cetriolo," made with Malfy Gin, sage and lemon liqueur, and cucumber cordial, and especially the "Mango e Yogurt." This low-alcohol signature drink features yogurt-washed Japanese whisky, Gin Visionary, lime, sugar, and mango purée, served in a tall tumbler with an additional mango and passion fruit gel garnish.
Bar San Michele - Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel
Situated on the gentle hills of Fiesole, just 15 minutes from Florence’s historic center, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel enjoys a unique position for admiring the city from above. An unparalleled spot for unforgettable sunset aperitivi, this luxurious hotel is housed in a former 15th-century monastery, surrounded by terraced gardens once used by monks to grow their botanicals, and an ancient forest where Leonardo da Vinci himself tested his flying machine. The bar offerings at the villa are spread across three locations, providing guests with three distinctive experiences: the Bar San Michele in the Italian gardens, its indoor space in the hotel’s small cloister, and the Pool Bar by the pool. The drinks are crafted by Bar Manager Luciano Ferlito, a native of Catania with over twenty years of experience in high-end hospitality. He joined Villa San Michele in 2022 and has led the bar team since 2023. A well-deserved homage to the sunset can be found in his new cocktail list "Collezione 2024" with the "Sunset Bliss 24," featuring Bacardi Rum, Jasmine tea, ginger syrup, and rose soda—pure happiness. Another notable drink is a cocktail from the "Artistic Influences" line, celebrating art in honor of Daniel Buren's artwork in the hotel’s bar.
