A Summer Evening at Atollo Riverside Café
Just steps away from the Arno River, Atollo is an outdoor setting for people to gather and enjoy live music, drinks, and delicious street food from local vendors. Each night at Atollo offers a unique experience from the next, featuring DJs from all over Europe as well as a variety of food vendors.
The cozy yet lively atmosphere of this venue is just one reason to make the visit. The groovy bass can be heard from visitors as they approach the venue, exciting the crowd before they even arrive. Inside, one can find a variety of places to sit and relax as they wait for their friends to arrive, including several comfortable bean bags! The fact that Atollo is outdoors further contributes to its refreshing atmosphere, receiving the cool breeze from the river and from the lovely trees planted inside the venue. Decorated with twinkle lights and a disco ball, this funky space does not lack culture and funk.
Around the perimeters of the space, attendees can stop by the food and beverage stands. The bar includes all the classic beverages including, beer, wine, and cocktails for reasonable prices (ranging from €5-10). The food vendors offer a small but delicious menu. Chiosco di Mare features artisan street food such as tacos, sandwiches, and burgers, while Osa Bistrot specializes in tasty desserts such as tiramisu, cookies and cakes.
Biniam Mahdere, owner and co-founder of Atollo, used to spend his weekends traveling around Europe in search of the best live music and nightlife. As a connoisseur of electronic music and an experienced party-goer, Biniam believed that Florence was missing a music venue that could provide a comprehensive party experience and a space for professional DJs to regularly perform. For this reason, he started Atollo with his friend in 2023 and since then, the venue has grown in popularity among the young crowds, attracting both locals and tourists.
Along with Atollo, Biniam also owns electronic music brand Lattexplus. This company is a principal organizer of music events, bringing some of the most esteemed DJs from around the world to Florence. Lattexplus provides music to many of the city’s musical centers including Atollo, Lumen, and the Cavea Maggio Theatre.
Atollo is a summer-only experience, running from the months of May through September. It is open every day of the week from 6 pm to 1 am (2 am on Friday and Saturday, midnight on Sunday) closed Monday. Taking a hiatus for the winter months, it ends its season with the biggest party of the year in September. Last year’s season finale featured one of Biniam’s top picks, Detroit-based DJ Marcellus Pittman. This year’s party will be held at the Cavea Maggio Theatre on September 21, 2024 and will feature musical artists MACE and Go Dugong.
There are a number of possible transportation methods to get to this location from the city center, such as by bike, bus, or on foot. If taking the bus, it is recommended to use line 14, getting off at the Aretina De Gasperi bus stop. The venue is located approximately 15 minutes by bus from the city center.
If you’re looking for a fun night out in a vibrant community space, Atollo will provide exactly this. Whether you stop by Atollo for some fresh street food or attend the big finale on September 21st, you are guaranteed to find a curated music experience. (Johanna Kapsis)
