Discovering and tasting the region's many fine wines at Florence's numerous bars is a popular pastime. Listening to live music - be it in a thumping nightclub, a groovy jazz bar, or a classic opera house - is one of the best ways to mix with locals.If there's one thing to be said about Florentines, it's that they love their wine. And you will too when you visit a local enoteca and sample a glass of Brunello di Montalcino or Tignanello. Don't worry, you can find international vintages here, too. If you're looking for a lesson in wine, pull up a chair, order some crostini and Tuscan prosciutto, and get ready to become a bonafide oenophile.
Le Volpi e l'Uva
At Le Volpi e l'Uva, the wine offerings come from boutique wineries in Italy and France, and have been chosen to complement the bar's food options.
Piazza de' Rossi, 1, Florence, 50125.
La Dolce Vita
Pull up a chair at the bar and order a fine Tuscan vintage by the glass or enjoy an international tasting. Then sit back and take in the rotating art exhibits.
Piazza del Carmine, 5, Florence, 50124.
Take a look around any nightclub in Italy and you'll see why this is the birthplace of la dolce vita. Lavish decor, imaginative cocktails, and infectious music combine to create a party atmosphere. However, beware of the payment protocol: some venues charge a cover that includes one drink, while others give you a card to record your purchases, which you pay for on your way out.
Space Club Firenze
Located in Santa Maria Novella in the city's historic center, Space Club Firenze is where visiting students and Florence's young glitterati flock to dance and carouse.
Via Palazzuolo, 37, Florence 50123.
Montecarla
The decor at this stylish club is reminiscent of a plush Bedouin tent with leopard-print seating, brocade curtains, Persian tapestries, and ornate chandeliers. It stays open late and is a must-see for visitors.
Via de' Bardi, 2, Florence, 50125.
There's a different kind of toe tapping that goes on in some of the smaller music venues around Florence. These are the bars that offer up live music - both popular and experimental - and attract a mostly local crowd. Whether it's a night of Beatles cover songs or a mesmerizing jam session between visiting jazz artists, these smaller venues offer laid-back evening entertainment.
Be Bop Music Club
This live music venue has a weekly Beatles tribute night, and plays classic rock from the likes of Led Zeppelin until the wee hours of the morning. Be prepared for enthusiastic sing-alongs.
Via dei Servi, 76r, Florence, 50122.
Jazz Club Firenze
If you want to experience Florentine nightlife among the locals, head to Jazz Club Firenze. You'll get an earful of live music from jamming Italian musicians performing anything from jazz to Dixieland and blues.
Via Nuova de' Caccini, 3, Florence, 50100.
Opera has a special place in Florentine history - the Camerata de' Bardi group of artists effectively paved the way for the musical form we know as opera today. So it comes as no surprise that operatic productions are both plentiful and masterful in Florence. The city also plays host to Europe's most important arts festival, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, which started in 1933 and is still going strong today.
Teatro Comunale
If you're looking for an evening of grandiose drama, visit the Teatro Comunale. The premier opera house in Florence, it's also the home of the annual Maggio Musicale Fiorentino opera festival, which runs from April through June.
Via Solferino, 18, Florence, 50123.
