Description: Before my last time in Florence, I wasn't too familiar with a lot of places in the Oltrarno area of town (the neighborhoods on other side of the Arno River from most of the tourist sites). Luckily I had several weeks to explore this area on my last visit, and gladly say that Open Bar was a daily (and sometimes more-than-once-a-day) cafe that I would frequent.
Located in the Golden View Restaurant which overlooks the river and sits just southeast of the Ponte Vecchio, Open Bar is an elegant bar which, although it looks as thought it could be pretentious, is nothing of the sort. The employees here were always very nice and the prices are very moderate.
This is not only a great place for an evening aperitivo, but also for pastries and coffee all other times of the day. I normally would start my mornings here with a 'macchiato' - which they add nutella too - and one of the many warm homemade pastries on display in the front case.
For aperitivo, I went a few times and always had a lovely glass of wine, but I did try a few sips from my friends' cocktails, which were always tasty and unique. If you're lucky, you can score a table in the back looking out the enormous picture windows to the river, but a seat at the bar gets you a bit closer for the spread of food they keep bringing out through the night for a buffet-style snack.
Prices for drinks during aperitivo hour run about 10 euro, which isn't bad for the atmosphere and quality of drinks and food. You'll see a good mix of Italians and tourists here, but it ever felt overrun by any means with too many visitors!
Golden View Open Bar
via de Bardi 58
50125 firenze, Italy
055 214 502
Open Daily 7:30am-1am
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