eat.PLAY.love

You (hopefully) read about my favorite foods in Florence in my latest blog EAT.play.love.
Following along with that theme, let's PLAY.

It is no surprise to anyone that I played and played hard during my time in Florence.  Rock it 'til the wheels fall off, right?  At 29, I felt like I had a lifetime guarantee on them bad boys. I wish I could tell you I watched the sun rise a million times but the truth is, we would leave where ever we were, the sun would either be down or already out.  I thought I knew some party people in SF, hung out with some in LA, did it SUPER big in Vegas but the truth is, Europeans know how to have a DAMN good time. And not like how we party either....only hanging till the wee hours because Molly won't stop dancing or that white girl got you up and at 'em.  Pure and simple, alcohol....slow and steady won this race.

So just like with EAT, here is a list of some of my favs along side with some of the honorary mentions:

Anyone who lived in Florence when I did or came and visited should not be surprised that LION'S FOUNTAIN on Borgo degli Albizi makes it first on the list.  Sure most of the shit shows I experienced originated from this very bar but the Bartenders made up for that by 10 fold.  The crew that was there when I first arrived in Florence had to be one of the most fun groups I have ever hung out with.  Just straight fun loving drunkards....just like me.  A Guinness and shot of Jameson is what got me thru most nights....but when it came to summertime, vodka lemon was the way to go.  Thursday night Karaoke?  Duh, I was there.  Sunday night live music?  Count me in.  Going just to go?  Yup, that was me on a nightly.  Wait, did I say "nightly" cos I meant ALL.THE.TIME.

Monkey Bar on via della Mattonaia.  The ONLY bar that has my favorite beer: NEW CASTLE.  They also have the bomb Indian beer but I can't remember the name.  The wall paper in their bathroom is....um, AWESOME.  Think comic strips meet 50 shades of grey.

Viktorias on Via Verde.  No one can argue that they had the best looking staff.  In particular, the owners who happen to be two drop dead gorgeous TWINS.  Mamma loves her some twins.  Ok, not only were they hot...but they were approachable and seemingly down to earth.  WHO DOES THAT?! And if you got a cocktail from them, ask for the special because damn do they know how to make a good drink.  Now this place is polar opposite from Lions.  A bit of an older crowd and mostly Italians but a good mature vibe. And I loved when Frank DJ'd....

Le Murate takes up a whole block between via Ghibellina and via dell'Angolo. This was the place that starts a night...not ends it.  Go around 7ish to grab a Spritz and some bites.  I miss aperitivo with my whole entire heart.  No happy hour in America stands a chance going up against this.  Now, besides the great selections on wines and beers (yes, they do have a full bar...)  the venue was AMAZING.  In 1424 it was built as a convent for the nuns, until Napoleon took over.  Then during WWII, they used it as a jail.  Now, people get drunk, eat and watch shows there.   Did I mention that there was a theater there?  The coolest part is that they still have some of the cells in tact.

Volume and POP Cafe in Piazza Santo Spirito.  You can either begin your night here or end it here....either way, I promise you a good time.  I am a people watcher for sure and this place never fails me.  For Volume, I fell in love with this place when I was first introduced to it because a friend of mine was show casing his art there.  This place kinda reminds me of a hipster bar in the Mission somewhere but with older people.  Artsy and packed, this was a great place to meet people.  Pop cafe...to be honest, the times I was there...it was after 2am and at that point...everything is either fun or not at all.

Astor's in piazza Duomo.  All I have to say is Martini Monday with Rami.  Yes, this is the same Rami that made that bomb ass risotto.  Not only can he make a mean ass dinner....but he can make a drink just by me saying "Vodka and not sweet" and hit the mark every time.  And was it Thursday nights 3 for 5 Euros?  You better quit it.  I did, however, find the Peter Pan to my Never, Never Land here.  He is hands down, the MOST HANDSOME MAN IN ALL OF FLORENCE.  but he's practically married with a child.  So I always just admired from a far and made sweet love to him all in my head.

Late late, after the bars close down, I'm drunk and still wanna party BARS:

Let me start with TWICE on via G. Verdi....people say it was named Twice because you never go there twice.  I am ashamed to say, I have...like 5 times.  When you are drunk enough and Cristian is DJing...it's actually not that bad.  Otherwise, it just reminds me of the Wedge at Great America....except I am waaay over 18.

Babylon on via Pandolfini was a cool little alternative for a more club type scene in the center.  It gets crowed as a mother fucker so if you are claustrophobic...do not go here.  If you don't like EDM, you probably shouldn't go here either.  I liked it...but then again, I love people and EDM.

Monte Carla on via de Bardi (private club).  Ok, this is an after the after party, party.  Full of leopard print, velvet, low lighting and people "smelling" the counter tops.  After the first time I went there, and left at 5am on a scooter with 3 people on it..., I described it as the Vampire's Lair.  You know that scene from Blade when he walks into the warehouse party and it's just a bunch of sexy vampires partying all night?  Yeah...right along those lines.

Teatrino on...hmmm, I don't remember but also a private club that is behind Lion's Fountain.  This place is way chill...they place music but not club loud type, show movies and they have a pool and foosball table.  Expect the smoke a pack of cigarettes in here...whether you smoke or not.

Blob on via Vinegia.  Also a chill place but they do have a dance floor.  Or you can go upstairs and play foosball or sit at tables.  Also a heavy cigarette smoking place but good music and lots of people.

and contrary to popular belief....I DID more than just party in clubs and bars.  Its nice to have a picnic in the Boboli Gardens in the Pitti Palace, ride bikes or go to the pool at Cascine Park, walk up to Piazzale Michlangelo and watch the sunset on the steps and drink wine and listen to the random performers.  Florence is a giant playground to those who are open to culture, art and different people....and of course, would like the option to party from time to time! And while these places were the places that I frequented more than sporadically, there are many other places I tried....let me know your taste and I will point you in the right direction...