Founded in 1852 under the name of 'Società Anonima per le Corse dei Cavalli-Jockey Club'. Its founder and first President was Prince Anatolio.
From the first years the club stood out for its liberal and cosmopolitan character.
From 1871 it officially assumed the name of 'Circolo dell'Unione di Firenze' and soon after abandoned the organization of horse racing, which was its main purpose in its foundation, to become an association to 'foster conversation and discussion ' and a meeting place for the social elite.
The Circolo is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. M. At midnight and has a restaurant. However, if there are no reservations or members on the premises, the Circolo closes at 9 pm. On Saturday, the Circolo opens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the restaurant open for lunch. Opening hours on Saturdays can be extended on request, with dinners for groups of at least 20 people. In this case, the reservation must be made at least one day in advance.
The Circolo is closed for the entire month of August.
The guest area offers lunches and dinners (both for personal and business purposes), cocktails, dances, bridge and chess tournaments, etc.
Meal reservations for up to 4 people can be made the same day until 11am.
Reservations for lunch or dinner for more than 4 people must be communicated to the club manager the day before. The reservation is made by phone +39 055 210412 or by email caposervizio@circulounionefirenze.it
Guest accommodation
Members of the Circolo dell'Unione, members of foreign reciprocal clubs and members of clubs with which there is a reciprocal agreement, can make use of the Circolo's accommodation. The request is sent to segreteria@circolounionefirenze.it, and must provide the name and cell phone of the member, the name of the member's club and the expected time of arrival. This same information is requested for each individual member if the room reservation is for more than one person.
Hotels
Some Florence hotels offer special rates for Circolo members and their guests, as well as members of reciprocal clubs. Reservations must be made by the Circolo dell'Unione.
Dress code
As established in the Circolo regulations (art. 63), gentlemen who wish to visit the Circolo Members or Guests Area must wear a jacket and tie. Unless otherwise noted, both members and their male guests wear a dark suit to dinner parties and other social functions. The female guests also adhere to an elegant dress code.
Smoking is prohibited in the Circolo facilities. This prohibition complies with Italian law (November 11, 1975 no. 584 and January 16, 2003 no. 3 art. 51 and other amendments to said laws).
Mobile phones
In Circolo facilities, mobile phones must be switched off or placed in silent mode. They can only be used in the phone booth and in rooms provided for guest accommodation.
Reciprocal club members
Upon arrival at the Circolo dell'Unione, members of reciprocal clubs must show their membership card. Reciprocity is granted for up to one month with a possible extension following a formal written request to the Secretary of the Circolo dell'Unione.
