The Jazz Club

Every college abroad guidebook features the Jazz Club as a pleasant ambiance for good music and cheap beer, but this is selling it short by a long shot.

It's true that the drinks are inexpensive and a yearly membership costs only €5. It's true also that this is one of the most intimate locales for live music you will find in Florence and, possibly, Italy overall. Finally, it is true that the club attracts American college students with a checklist of 'bohemian' attractions to visit. With their sudo-bepop attire, it is hard to miss them!

Don't let any of this dissuade you, however, from searching the streets and back alleys for one of Florence's most hard to find nightspots. The range of music in extensive with jam sessions on Tuesday and Wednesdays, Dixie land and latin regularly as well as a full list of visiting impresarios.

The intimacy of the place is one of it's great charms. One feels more like a jam session of friends in a large living room and often guests will be asked to move to allow the musicians more space.

This is authentic jazz not a pretentious restaurant with a combo in the background. The focus is the music and those in attendance intend to hear it. Want to have a lively conversation . . . go outside and smoke a cigarette with the others or adjourn to the bar area.

Don't expect great barfood either . . . potato chips are the standard fare. No matter; the club doesn't open until 10:30 at night so there is plenty of time for a meal prior. Do leave time to find it though as there is no sign outside; just a playbill of the nights entertainment.

Jazz Club Firenze

Via Nuova de’ Caccini, 3 - Firenze
Tel. 055-2479700 - 335 6146115