Giant Screens for the European Soccer Championship

Sunday, July 11 offers the exciting UEFA European Soccer Championship final match between Italy and England starting at 9 pm.  For those looking for an alternative to watching the game on TV, here is a list of giant screens that will be set up for the occasion throughout Florence.

FREE

Arrive early to find a table on the sand of River Urban Beach below the San Niccolò tower, as reservations are not accepted the available places will fill quickly.  The nearby kiosk offers fried fish, burgers, gluten-free options, beverages and more.

A converted industrial space, the Manifattura Tabacchi, is installing a giant screen in one of its green spaces (with entrance at via delle Cascine 33 – 35).  For dinner or a snack, bento (Asian cuisine) boxes, vegetarian specialities and tripe sandwiches are available to purchase.

For another outdoor setting, head to the Off Bar at the “Lago dei Cigni” park next to the Fortezza da Basso.  The kiosk sells pizza, beer, Thai food and cocktails.

GIANT SCREEN + MANDATORY DINING EXPERIENCE

Florence’s Hard Rock Café (via Brunelleschi 1) is located on the premises of the a former movie theatre, the Cinema Gambrinus, whose screen will show the European soccer final.  This the place to indulge in a burger (meat or vegan) and a milkshake.  Reservations highly recommended.

In another area of town, there will be an number of giant screens set up in outdoor locales along the river in Bellariva.  Chose your accompanying dining experience: La Toraia (Lungarno del Tempio) is renowned for its burgers whose ingredients are sourced directly from a Tuscan ranch; customers at il Molo right on the Arno River (Lungarno Colombo) can relax in beach loungers and order poke, pizza, fish, cocktails or gelato; while South American and Italian dishes are featured on the menu at Habana 500, Lungarno Pecori Giraldi, reservations required at 375 731 6493.  (rosanna cirigliano)