Bulli & Balene - Spritz e Cicchetti

Quick Verdict

Bulli & Balene sits on Via dello Sprone in the Oltrarno, Florence's quieter, less touristed bank of the Arno. If you want a genuinely local spritz-and-cicchetti stop rather than a polished cocktail destination, this is a reasonable call — easy to book, low-commitment, and priced for casual drinking rather than a big night out. It is not the place for a structured cocktail experience; it is the place you land before or after dinner when you want something Venetian-style in a Florentine neighbourhood.

The Space

The address puts you in a narrow street in the southern Oltrarno, a part of Florence where bars still feel like neighbourhood fixtures rather than hospitality concepts. Expect a compact interior — the kind of room where standing at the counter is as normal as sitting down, and where the energy shifts noticeably as the evening moves from aperitivo hour into the later stretch. The spatial logic here is Venetian: cicchetti displayed at the bar, drinks poured to order, crowd standing and grazing. Late-night viability is moderate , this is primarily an aperitivo format, which means it peaks early evening and winds down before the city's dedicated cocktail bars hit their stride. If you are planning a full late-night session, Locale Firenze or Atrium Bar carry momentum further into the night.

What to Expect

The cicchetti format , small, affordable Venetian-style bites alongside a spritz or glass of wine , makes this an accessible, low-risk visit. It works leading as a first stop on an evening rather than a destination in itself. For visitors who want depth and context in their drinking, BABAE offers a more considered wine bar experience, and Gucci Giardino delivers a more theatrical setting if occasion matters. Bulli & Balene's value is in its unpretentiousness and its neighbourhood footing , it is not trying to be a destination.

Practical Details

Reservations: Not required , walk in. Booking difficulty: Easy. Dress: Casual; smart casual is fine but unnecessary. Budget: Spritz-and-cicchetti pricing, expect low spend per head by Florence standards. Location: Via dello Sprone, 14/r, Oltrarno, Florence. For broader planning, see our full Florence bars guide, Florence restaurants guide, Florence hotels guide, Florence wineries guide, and Florence experiences guide. For international comparisons in the casual bar category, Lost & Found in Nicosia, 1930 in Milan, and Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu show how different cities handle the neighbourhood bar format.