Lucca
With an unexpected view of the cathedral‘s crenellated bell tower and tree-shaded tables snug against ancient red-brick walls, this wall-top lounge bar is…
Must-see nightlife in Tuscany
Pistoia
'Everything is going to be all right' is the strapline of this hip bar and bistro. And indeed, be it shelling free peanuts around a wooden table in the…
San Gimignano
Massimo Delli, the owner of this tiny wine bar on the street leading up to the rocca, will enthusiastically suggest local wines to try (consider ordering…
Northwestern Tuscany
'Beer & Anchovies' is the enticing name of this uber-cool craft-beer shop, its pocket-sized interior packed to the rafters with craft beers from Tuscany…
Elba
A local institution, this hybrid cafe-bar on a people-busy square is a quintessential spot to lap up local life over a chill prosecco, cocktail or what is…
Arezzo
Accessed via the arched corridor between the two Corso Italia storefronts of ultra-fashionable clothing retailer Sugar, which is housed in Renaissance–era…
Elba
A fun and laidback mixed bag of a hangout, Il Rifrullo is a well-established spot for listening to live music over a beer, cocktail, grilled meat or tasty…
Oltrarno
'No fear, just beer!' is the tongue-in-cheek strapline of this microbrewery, tucked away off the main strip in the hipster 'hood of San Frediano. Expect…
Florence
Just beyond San Niccolò, a busy road divides this riverfront lounge bar from the water. But once inside, a sharp contemporary design of soothing aqua…
Elba
An old farmhouse on a hill overlooking Marino di Campo, 4.5km north of town along the SP25, is the on-trend venue for Elba's biggest music club, firmly on…
Elba
In the biz since 1964 (hence its name), this mythical discoteca remains the Saturday-night hot spot on the island for dancing beneath the stars and…
Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana 1888
Montalcino
You could take a seat at one of the tables in the slender square outside this atmosphere-laden enoteca-cafe, but then you'd miss its remarkable 19th…
Livorno
This cool cellar bar has a sun-drenched wooden-decking terrace afloat the canal in Piccolo Venezia. Enjoy a cocktail and generously topped bruschetta…
Elba
Come sundown locals flock to this waterfront bar to relax over well-mixed cocktails and watch the sun set and the illuminated marina twinkle after dark…
Pisa
Squat on a bench outside or grab a pew inside this funky riverside tap room, the creation of three ale-loving Pisan students: Matteo, Davide and Francesco…
Montalcino
Specialising in organic, biodynamic and natural wines, this casually stylish enoteca is a good choice for those after a glass or two of wine accompanied…
Oltrarno
Craft-beer devotees will enjoy this dimly lit, hole-in-the-wall drinking joint, a step away from the tourist crowds with knowledgeable bartenders at the…
Pisa
A dedicated all-rounder, Bazeel is a hotspot from dawn to dark. Laze over breakfast, linger over a pizza or hang out with the A-list crowd over a generous…
Volterra
Though undeniably louche (women can divest themselves of their bras in exchange for a free drink), this rough-and-ready wine bar opposite the Etruscan…
Northwestern Tuscany
Be it for morning coffee, a lunchtime snack or an after-work aperitivo, this attractive cafe and tabaccheria (tobacconist’s shop) just down from the main…
Elba
The full name is Yacht Club Da Mario, but everyone shortens this to Da Mario – that's the kind of place it is. Pouring drinks and making coffee since 1952…
Siena
Live jazz acts regularly take the stage on Thursday and Friday nights at this intimate club near the Campo, which is popular with students and the city's…
Southern Tuscany
Here you'll sip your drink surrounded by carved rock walls – this casual cantina has been hacked out of the tufo. Add rickety tables and it's an…
Southern Tuscany
It may be modest in size, but this wine bar is ambitious in its aspirations. There's a small but stellar list of wines by the glass (order the Roccapesta…
Pisa
Kick back with Pisan cool cats at this edgy literary cafe with a red-brick vaulted ceiling, achingly cool vintage furnishings and a laid-back lounge vibe…
Livorno
With a cocktail menu designed like a beautiful book featuring hand-drawn illustrations, and a dynamic mixologist happy to also create off-list, cocktail…
Chianti
Owner Paola Barucci is a wonderful host and her bar-cafe on Volpaia's pretty piazza is a great place to enjoy local wines, bruschette, cheese and salumi…
Elba
Be it in the well-worn vintage interior or around a floral ceramic-tiled table between potted palm trees on one of two terraces outside, this hybrid cafe…
Val d'Orcia
A local secret that we hereby expose, this bar next to the belvedere (scenic viewpoint) behind Piazza Pio II is a perfect place to enjoy an aperitivo –…
Northwestern Tuscany
Lounge with hip locals at Lettera 22, a refreshingly stylish and up-to-the-minute literary cafe between the beach and the train station with free wi-fi,…
Southern Tuscany
One of the few bars in Porto Ercole open year-round, Baretto has a lovely terrace overlooking the marina. In summer, tables here are the most sought after…
Northwestern Tuscany
Quench your thirst at the end of the day with a craft beer at Prato's highly regarded birrificio artigianale (artisan brewery), headed up by female brewer…
Southern Tuscany
Tables in the atmospheric logge (loggia) overlooking Piazza Garibaldi are prime people-watching positions, making this cafe the most popular in town…
Pisa
This old-fashioned cake shop has been tempting Pisans into sugar-induced wickedness since 1898. It's an equally lovely spot for a cocktail – any time…
San Gimignano
The town's best coffee is on offer at this cafe next to Porta San Matteo, served at tables on the piazzetta or in the modern interior. Other offerings…
Siena
Located in Siena's student quarter, this bar stages live-music acts in a vaulted interior with a mezzanine area. Artisan beer is the tipple of choice…
Siena
Arguably the best coffee on the Campo; drink it standing at the bar or suffer the financial consequences. Service on the terrace, which is a popular…
Southern Tuscany
Old vinyl records may dangle from the ceiling, but the music at this beatnik cafe-bar is bang up to date. DJs spin Italian pop towards the end of the week…
Livorno
On the ground floor of the fascist-era Multisala Grande building on the city's central piazza, the Dolly Bar offers good coffee and a terrace that's a…
Siena
Squeeze into this tiny, heart-of-the-action space to enjoy some of Siena's best coffee. In summer, the coffee granita with a dollop of cream is a…
