A Beer Tourist’s Guide To…Florence
There are tonnes of places here for international beer but you didn’t come to Florence for that. You came for the museums. Then you got bored of the museums and needed a beer.
You googled “local craft beer in Florence” and now you’re reading this perfect guide to the spots focused on Italian craft that you need to visit. First listed in order of local craft beer selection, then with an itinerary for a great evening on the town to hit all five. Cin Cin!
- Birreria Art. 17
This place is a little off the beaten track, pretty miniature and yet you know it is legit, for it is covered in hipsters and chalkboards with the beers written on them (the chalkboards, not the hipsters, although you never know after a few pints). Prop yourself up at the bar, get some recommendations from the bartender and treat yourself to samples of all-Italian craft on 10 taps. - King Grizzly
When you’ve stopped staring at David’s impressively tight ass cheeks, you may simply head around the corner to hit this rustic and incredibly central spot with barrels for tables and 8 Italian brews on tap (along with some international ones you should ignore even if you see a tourist drinking a Lagunitas and start to feel homesick). A little sticky on the floor, a little touristy on the seats, but tasty beers abound. - Mostodolce Firenze
Kind of artsy in that unintentional way you only find in Italy and also a little worn looking in that possibly quite intentional way you only find in Italy, this old school Florence beer pub is an institution for any time of day. It gets especially lively at night with a diverse age range of locals and serves pizza with their own brews. Definitely a dive of a local spot but it was the first beer pub in the city so I’d do it if I were you, and don’t be afraid to make conversation, although un po di’Italiano might be helpful! - The Joshua Tree Pub
Despite not having the most authentic-sounding Italian name, the Joshua Tree is full of very authentic Italian people. Young locals abound, and friendly bartenders who get passionate to the point of tears when you compliment a local Lombardian beer are a highlight. This is a friendly, simple-looking but sophisticated-tasting watering hole just outside the old town, around the back of the train station. A great place to finish up a night of Italian boozing. - Officina Streetfood
A tiny, simple and very modern hole-in-the-wall doing excellent takes on lasagne, pasta and burgers. It also happens to have a giant fridge of over 20 very niche Italian craft beers, some of which DON’T EXIST ON UNTAPPD *KLAXON*. Go for tasty modern takes on Italian food, stay for beers you will never find anywhere else from nano breweries that the ownder happens to be friends with.
Recommended order for a one-night-in-Florence craft beer crawl:
Start off at Birreria Art 17 in the early evening for sophisticated beer chat when you’re really appreciating the hops >> Head central to Officina Streetfood for your stomach lining >> Get into the heart of the city at King Grizzly with a barstool on the side for people watching right in the heart of the night time tourist action >> Tear yourself away if you can, to experience the authenticity of Mostoldoce Firenze in a tipsy haze >> Even if you miss Mostodolce, make sure you end your night at Joshua Tree – a late night delight awaits (and no judgement on your state of being, either).
Beer in the City takes no responsibility for money lost as a result of missing your tour of the Duomo in the morning.