Rasputin — Restaurant in Florence

I get that it’s a “secret bar” but I’m sorry, you cannot have a hidden bar with a 15 minute grace period for cancellation. We spent a half hour tramping around Florence in the dark, testing out each of the 7 addresses we found online for the place; at one point, we accidentally woke up some poor old man trying to sleep because we went into one of the wrong listed addresses. The actual bar is located several streets away, and we were 20 minutes late for our reservation and not allowed in.

Even if I didn’t like the rules, I wouldn’t typically write a bad review; I would just assume it was my problem and let it go. But I could not stand how condescending and pretentious they were about the whole thing. When we arrived late, the host said: “Yeah, we only hold tables for fifteen minutes.” I explained that we had looked for thirty minutes and could not find the place; we actually would have been early had it been clear. Instead of suggesting another time or offering any kind of accommodation, he simply shrugged and said “sorry.” A day later, I get this obnoxious email from Rasputin, thanking me for the pleasure of serving me, saying they hope I enjoyed my experience and that they hope to see me again, when I wasn't even let in.

For anyone still reading my rant: instead of wasting your time trying to find some “secret” hipster bar with overpriced cocktails, go somewhere else. There are so many amazing, friendly, welcoming places to get a fantastic drink in Florence that are much more authentic. You should not have to deal with someone’s elitist attitude and made to feel like it’s just part of the gimmick; go support some place that actually wants your business (Signorvino, Golden View, Enotecca Pitti Gola e Cantina, and Angel Rooftop Bar were...

I didn't quite know what to expect from this cocktail bar when I made the reservation. After spending 2 hours there I exactly know now much I like it!

Others have covered how to find the place and I agree with them: Google Maps pinpoints the correct entrance. The house numbers are a bit scrambled in that area (or I don't understand Florentine house numbering) but the 21 in black is the door you want. You can tell this is not a residential building. Once you ring the bell, be a bit patient, and somebody will open the door eventually.

This is not a cocktail bar where you have to shout over crowds to get the bartender's attention. Nor is it a place where you have to order bottle service to get a table. It is a very small place that seats, maybe, 30 people or so. Everybody gets a table, everybody gets the attention they want. This place focuses more on the drinks than the social aspect of a bar. The bartender is super knowledgeable about anything one may want to know about liquor. Go there if you enjoy the art of the cocktail more than getting drunk with your buddies!

I really cannot think of anything negative. Service can be a bit slow at times, especially when all tables are filled, because it is just a team of two people that run the place. The prices are also a bit steep for cocktails in Florence (about €20-22 per specialty drink) but worth every single penny. People coming from big cities, like NYC, are accustomed to prices like these.

Both people there speak excellent English, so you'll have a great time no matter if you know...

MUST READ REVIEW First experience like that. I made cocktail at home and drank cocktails in many good bars all over the world France UK NYC Australia Bangkok . I live in France

This place is overrated and designed for US customer.

A cocktail in little red door 🚪 the no1 cocktail bar in the world cost u 18e

A cocktail in NYC cost u 20$

I paid a not balanced Tuscany negroni 25e It was too Herby and negroni is based on being balanced and this one wasn't.

The place is super nice and the service is amazing but the cocktails weren't worth 20 or 25e

My wife had a classic aviation that cost 20e . But it was not well executed and you couldn't taste all the flavors .

If you're American you are used to spending 20 dollars on a cocktail and the way the place is designed won't make you say it's too expensive because you won't have that kind of scenery in US.

Based on a European point of view the place is nice service as well but price you pay based on what is in your glass is overrated for sure.

We went out of Rasputin and on our way home we stopped to a random bar . I took a negroni and paid 7e it was definitely better balanced and heard better stories about how Italian makes negroni.

If you are looking for a nice place and ready to spend 20-25€ for a glass go for it.

If you are into...