Giacosa is one of Florence’s most iconic venues, with roots dating back to 1815 in Torino before arriving in Florence in 1860. In 1927, it settled on Via Tornabuoni, within the historic walls of “Casoni,” where in 1919 Count Camillo Negroni famously asked bartender Fosco Scarselli to add gin to his Americano, creating the legendary Negroni cocktail. Since then, Giacosa has carried this legacy forward, preserving a tradition that has shaped the art of mixology for over a century.
Giacosa continues to embody the soul of Italian tradition, a timeless Florentine landmark that now attracts a new generation of cocktail enthusiasts seeking a perfect blend of heritage and innovation in every sip.
Since July 2023, Giacosa has welcomed guests from a new location just steps from its original site. It now operates under the Valenza Group, the team behind the revival of two of Italy’s most historic cafés, Caffè Gilli (1733) and Caffè Paszkowski (1903) and the contemporary venue Move On in Piazza Duomo. For Marco Valenza, the group’s visionary leader, restoring Giacosa was a mission of cultural preservation; its closure marked the loss of an important chapter not only in Florence’s story but in Italy’s broader heritage.
The architectural restoration of the bar was guided by a vision to return the space to the city in a way that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition. Drawing inspiration from period photography, the design maintains an elegant aesthetic that animates every detail of the interior.
The original structure, with its soaring arched ceilings, is complemented by rich wood panelling that frames sections of the walls and the back bar. At the centre, a striking curved bar, echoing the geometry of the ceiling, features velvet panelling in a deep, refined blue. This palette extends throughout the space, where plush velvet seating invites guests to unwind in comfort, all of which creates a sophisticated yet relaxed setting, perfect for enjoying cocktails from day to night.
The bar’s menu is crafted under the guidance of Luca Manni, who, together with the team, blends the brand’s storied legacy with bold creativity. Each creation reinterprets Giacosa’s rich history through a modern lens, honouring its heritage and the iconic Negroni. Every cocktail reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, inviting guests on a distinctive journey through the evolving world of Negronis.
At the heart of the menu is the ‘Giacosa’s Negronis’ section, featuring both timeless and the innovative serves. Guests can enjoy the classic Negroni, a perfect balance of gin, vermouth, and bitters alongside the Negroni Giacosa, a modern reinterpretation born from a blind tasting with guests and colleagues to ascertain what the modern-day drinker really wants from a negroni. This bold yet elegant twist enhances the classic with a subtle added bitterness, crafted with No.3 London Dry Gin, Martini Rubino, and Campari.
Other inventive takes on the Negroni include the Negroni Shakerato, a refreshing variation made with PiùCinque Gin, Carpano Antica Formula, and Campari; and the Negroni Nitro, a smooth, velvety serve created using Tanqueray Ten Gin, Mancino Red Vermouth and Campari. Completing the collection is the Negroni Throwing, another slightly more bitter interpretation crafted with VJOP Sipsmith Gin, Casoni Balsamic Vermouth, and Campari.
Further sections on the menu include ‘Negroni Meets Tradition’, where classic cocktails are reimagined with a Negroni twist. One standout is the Bloody Negroni, an umami-rich, aromatic creation where the Bloody Mary meets the Negroni. Crafted with Ginmarte Gin, Vermentino, Suze, Giacosa’s Tomato Sauce, Tobacco, Licorice, and Rhubarb, it balances savoury and bitter notes in perfect harmony. Another playful creation is the Cosmo Negroni, which fuses the Cosmopolitan with the Negroni. Featuring Altamura Vodka, Cachaça Blu Amburana, Santoni, Carpano Bianco, Campari, Raspberry, and Tonka Beans, a fruity and sweet serve ideal for those who enjoy a cocktail without the classic Negroni bitterness.
Rounding out the menu is ‘Giacosa’s Creations’, a curated selection of inventive and unforgettable serves. Cocktails include the Spumina, a citrusy, refreshing long serve crafted with Pisco, Aperitivo Nonino, Spuma Bionda Fiorentina, and Agave Tea Tree. For those seeking something more delicate the Vermuttino blends Marasa, Mulassano Dry, Amaro Lucano, Burnt Wheat, Oxidized Banana, and Agarwood for a nuanced, aromatic profile. For a richer, more complex option, China Calda combines Talisker 10, Glendalough, Sinfonia, Jerusalem Artichoke, Green Shiso, and Chestnut Honey – a deeply layered serve that lingers on the palate.
Guests seeking a deeper exploration of the Negroni can enjoy curated Negroni flights. The Degustazione Negroni guides guests through the cocktail’s history, signature variations, and the craft behind its preparation, featuring the Negroni Classico, Negroni Shakerato, and Cosmo Negroni. Alternatively, the Degustazione Giacosa presents three distinctive cocktails, each representing one of Giacosa’s three categories – Giacosa’s Negronis, Negroni Meets Tradition, and Giacosa Creations. This flight includes the Negroni Throwing, Negroni Brulée, and Sporcato.
Alongside cocktails, guests can enjoy a selection of Italian pastries that further evoke the charm of Italian café culture and the bar’s heritage. Offerings include Cannolo Siciliano, mignon pastries, biscotti, and tiramisù.
Since opening, Giacosa has gone on to gain recognition, recently being awarded excellent and receiving one pin from The Pinnacle Guide, as well as currently being ranked #215 in the Top 500 Bars.
Via della Spada, 15 R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
@giacosa_1815
giacosafirenze.com
I totally agree!
The staff at Giacosa are amazing.
If you haven’t visited Giacosa, you were never in Firenze !