We are in the heart of summer and all the streets of Florence are empty of locals. The bravest of the tourists cram the museums and flock to the beautiful city monuments during the day - but what about the night?

Just beyond the Fortezza da Basso, not far from the city center, is the Lago dei Cigni where, just as every year, one finds the Off Bar.

WHAT IS THE OFF BAR?

The Off bar is an exclusive space that is open to the public only during the hottest months of the year, thanks to a cultural association called Nothing Inc.

In conjunction with its seventh year of operation, the Off Bar promises to liven the Florentine evenings with cultural activities and events, as well as to create a meeting place for all those people who aren't able to leave the city - but who, at the same time, don't want to miss out on a little bit of healthy fun.

THE FIXED EVENTS

Tuesday the musical collective of Fiore Sul Vulcano, born with the objective of promoting and growing artists, proposes a different group each week.

Wednesday on the other hand is the time for Off Cinema, a film program that hosts short length original features, festival winners, international films, literary interpretations and independent documentaries.

Thursday, the protagonists are vinyl records wisely selected by some of the most representative artists of the Florentine panorama.

Friday is dedicated to live electronica.

While Saturday the star is rock music.

Every Sunday the Segugi Infernali del Purgatorio (The Infernal Hounds of Purgatory) take the stage for a jam session.

FOOD AND DRINKS

For dinner on a summer evening there's surely nothing better than a good pizza. And the only true pizza in Italy is Neapolitan pizza. Made by hand and rigorously limited to three classic versions:

- Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil)

- Marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano)

- Napoli (tomato, anchovies, capers)

This is the menu of L'Off Bar to sample at the tables lining the lake, accompanied by one of the numerous available beers, or perhaps even a nice Chianti or a Negroni.

WHERE AND WHEN

Giardini dell Fortezza, Viale Filippo Strozzi

Open during the months of June, July, and August

Entrance is free