Bitter Bar

"A Florentine Speakeasy Italy never had Prohibition (can you imagine the country going wine-free?), but this intimate bar, opened in 2017, brings a touch of that era’s speakeasy style to central Florence. Owner and veteran bartender Cristian Guitti places equal importance on taste and aesthetics, creating concoctions that both excite the palate—with a hint of smoke here, and some barrel aging there—and also do your Instagram proud. The menu is heavily inspired by '20s-era cocktails, with nods to both America and Italy, so you’ll find drinks like Old Sport (based on Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon), Coney Island (rum with popcorn, chili, dark chocolate, and more), and Aglio Olio & Peperoncino (tequila blanco with olive oil and the essential oils of orange and chili). Guitti considers this a “cocktail experience,” which means the multi-step drinks may take a while to be prepared, but you’ll have fun soaking up the retro atmosphere while waiting for them to arrive."

"In Florence, the speakeasy-vintage vibe is a strong theme for craft cocktail bars—that's the case at Bitter Bar, too. What sets it apart is that every drink is a proprietary invention from the owner. Although its name might suggest a focus on, say, amaro, Bitter Bar showcases all manner of cocktails, some sweet from pineapple juice and others topped with cheesecake foam. And while you can ask for a martini, Sazerac, or Negroni and it would be made decently, you'd do much better putting yourself in owner (and bartender) Cristiano Guitti's capable hands. He's ardently creative and obsessively detail-oriented; as such, he's gained a reputation among cocktail aficionados worldwide." - Coral Sisk