FOOD & DRINK

Booze With Views: A Guide To Florence’s Fanciest Rooftop Bars!

Calling all fellow classy drinkers out there! We all know that a year abroad is simply not complete without a candid, golden hour Instagram post of you cradling an Aperol Spritz, whilst ensuring that your chosen photographer is successfully capturing your ‘good side’. Besides, where else would we showcase the jeans-anda-nice-top purchased from Zara when we should’ve been attending lectures? So sip back, relax, and allow me to guide you through the most Instagram-able rooftop bars that Florence has to offer.

During my delightful year of living la dolce vita, my most frequented bar was La Terrazza, located on the top floor of the department store La Rinascente. This very much unhidden gem is situated within the heart of Florence’s Piazza della Repubblica. Its views stretch from the breathtaking Bobboli Gardens to your left, the bustling Piazza below, the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to your right, and even across to the toned Italian waiters who you might just happen to run into on a Tuesday night at Blue Velvet. It is also worth adding that the bar’s wine glasses are rather generous in size, which is always a bonus! La Terrrazza is perfect for those post-shopping Spritzs’ as its conveniently situated right next to the beloved H&M, Subdued, Brandy Melville, and of course- ZARA. Let’s be honest, we all know that the Erasmus grant will run out sooner or later, so you might as well go down in style!

However, if you are looking for a livelier rooftop experience, then Flo’ is the one for you! Flo’ sits at the very back of Florence’s

by Jessica Repetti

most famous viewpoint Piazzale Michelangelo , transforming into a busy club by night. Though the drinks are expensive, they are of high quality! During the evening, all kinds of fancy Florentine people flock to this bar to socialize surrounded by a panoramic view of the twinkling, illuminated city. The experience is truly heavenly. So get ready to party under the stars, whilst sipping on your gin and tonic, browsing for the perfect Paolo to complement your Lizzie Mcguire moment. This, is what dreams are made of.

Speaking of dreams, next up is the vegan rooftop paradise which goes by the name: Floret. What makes this rooftop bar so unique is that it offers a cleansing type of cocktail. It’s all very brunch-esque here. The rainbow-resembling concoctions have mysterious names such as ‘Floret Mule’ or ‘Seaside Stories’. In fact, Seaside Stories is a shining example of their healthier cocktail option, infused with mango, goji berries, and chia seeds, there’s just enough room left for some gin. Floret, located on top of yet another large store, is a magical realm of health and random flamingo sculptures, oozing with colour, and people wearing yoga pants who seemingly engage in regular exercise. This idea of placing open air bars on top of a department store does appear to be quite a popular Florentine notion. But its most astounding and Instagram-able feature is not, funnily enough, their ‘Safari Sunset’ cocktail, but its upclose angle of the beautiful renaissance cathedral. You will practically feel the toxins escaping your body just by sipping their purifying beverages, whilst gazing at the gigantic gothic architecture stood before you.

I hope I have encouraged you to visit this breathtaking city and all its equally characteristic rooftop bars. I would also like to warn you that though the recommendations I have listed may not be well suited to student budgets, I found them to be well worth every single penny. After all, booze with views almost always are.