Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian is a historic café on Piazza San Marco in the San Marco district of Venice, Italy, in the Veneto region, and is widely described as one of the oldest cafés in Europe, dating from 1720. It occupies the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove and combines a series of ornate interior rooms, decorated with gilded mirrors, painted panels and velvet seating, with outdoor tables facing the square. The crowd is largely international visitors, along with some Venetians and couples marking a special occasion. Smart-casual dress is common, and staff in formal service jackets set a formal tone, though there is no strict door policy. The age range is wide, from families in the afternoon to couples in the evening, and the atmosphere is ceremonial, unhurried and heavily touristic. Music is a defining feature: a small orchestra plays classical and light repertoire at the outdoor tables, and the venue applies a surcharge of about 6 euros per person when the orchestra is playing, in addition to the drink price. The drinks programme includes the Bellini, other cocktails, wine, Champagne, coffee and the house hot chocolate, with pastries and light dishes. Prices are among the highest in Venice, and a single coffee or cocktail on the square costs several times what it does in a neighbourhood bar. Opening hours are daily from about 9AM to 11PM, and the busiest hours are the late afternoon and early evening when the orchestra plays and the light on the square is at its best. There is no bottle service. Reservations are not normally required for a coffee or drink, though interior tables can fill in the evening, and visitors who want to avoid the music surcharge can choose an indoor table away from the orchestra area. Caffè Florian is best approached as a paid experience of Venetian history rather than a budget bar, and it suits visitors who want an elegant break in the heart of San Marco.