Bars
Athenians are night owls. That’s part of the reason why there is always traffic late at night - another is that they love their cars so much. People will usually start their evening in a restaurant and continue for drinks late into the night. The city offers an endless and ever-changing variety of entertainments, which reaches its peak during the summer, when the balmy weather draws people onto the pavements. Even cinemas have adopted the open-air culture, making watching a movie in Athens a unique experience.
Each neighbourhood of the city attracts its own “tribe”, with fashionistas hitting the area of Gazi and Psyrri like a hurricane, while students and intellectuals inhabit Exarhia. Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio attract an even mix of tourists and casual crowds, while label-chasers exchange compliments in Kolonaki.
Another interesting nightlife trend is the amalgamation of a café, bar and restaurant under one roof. You may sit for a quiet lunch in Gazi and before you know it it’s midnight and the coffee in your hand has been replaced by a mojito. Such venues are multiplying and are mostly found in Psyrri, Gazi and Kolonaki.
Summertime is also the season when the nightlife - and more specifically clubbing - shifts to the southern suburbs, as their proximity to the sea makes them an ideal hang-out spot. The hotter the weather gets, the more Athenians look for nightspots that offer that holiday feeling. In the evening, the seaside neighbourhoods between Palio Faliro and Glyfada are where you will find youngsters in flashy clothes walking past the numerous bars. Most Athenian clubs lead double lives – in the winter they are located in the centre and are packed to the point of madness. In the summer, they move south, where the venues have double the space and are partly open-air. Having said this, those looking for a quieter time continue to frequent the same bars in central Athens. Most bars in the city are small, but in the summer they usually open to a back-garden or a terrace, where they often host cultural events.
Clubs charge an entrance fee which usually includes one free drink, but the bars only charge you for the drinks you buy.
Kolonaki & Lycavittos Hill
City
- 43 Haritos, Kolonaki, 210 7228910, Metro: Evangelismos
Businessmen, lawyers and executives flock in for its good cocktails and to socialise in Haritos’s most famous bar. Live music on Sundays.
Argo Bar Mykonos
- 19 Dinokratous, Kolonaki, 6938 676734, Metro: Evangelismos
A famous Mykonos Island bar has opened in Athens and continues its tradition for upbeat music in a Cycladic-style setting. The right place to show off your tan and trendy outfits.
Tokyo
- 21 Sina Street, 213 0035558 / Metro: Panepistimio
Tiny, trendy and usually packed bar is favoured by those who want to dance.
Barak
- 8A Loukianou, 210 7214959 / Metro: Evangelismos
This stylish champagne bar plays swing, jazz, soul and 90s music and serves finger food prepared by the chef.
Mai Tai
- 18 Ploutarhou, Kolonaki, 210 7258306 / Metro: Evangelismos
An old, all-day bar for locals and celebrities alike, Mai Tai also serves wine at its bar. The music is good, but it is rather narrow and can get too crowded on weekends. Tables are placed outside.
Paplou
- 45 Patriahou Ioakeim & Ploutarhou Streets / Metro: Evangelismos
Named after the first two letters of the streets it inhabits, this mainstream bar holds several musical events during the week, as well as guest DJ sets. Music is sometimes too loud.
Akropolis, Plaka, Thisio & Monastiraki
Inoteka
- 3 Platia Avyssinias, 211 3246446, Metro: Monastiraki
The tiny bar serves great mojitos and hosts excellent DJ sets and happenings.
Loukoumi
- 3 Avyssinias Square, Monastiraki / Metro: Monastiraki
A small bar, at the first floor of an old building right at the centre of the colourful Avyssinias Square, recently opened its doors, offering drinks at €5. The crowd of 20-somethings swing lightly to Iggy Pop and in the summer the terrace will open up, offering an amazing view of the Acropolis Hill.
Vrettos
- 41 Kydathinaion, 210 3232110, Metro: Monastiraki
One of the oldest distilleries in the city and one that respect its clientele. The wooden barrels and shelves are packed with colourful liquer bottles and it is one of the best places in the area to have a good drink. You may also buy a liquer or two.
6 D.O.G.S.
- 6-8 Avramiotou, Monastiraki, 210 3232135
Hidden in the narrow Avramiotou Street, this venue is literally a three-minute walk from Monastiraki Square. The three-room building houses a couple of bars, a slightly claustrophobic concert venue, and a hidden all-day open-air café, located down the neon-lit staircase. It mainly entertains twenty-something youngsters who crowd the rooms and eventually spill out onto the street, taking over benches and pavements.
James Joyce Pub
- 12 Astigos, Monastiraki, 210 3235055
A classic Irish pub in a quiet side-street of Monastiraki. The wooden-panelled pub has a long list of imported beers and some very hearty burgers and sandwitches on offer, as well as a few tables outside which are rarely empty. During the winter, it attracts some British and Irish expats craving a cold bee and maybe a football match on the large TV screens.
Lux (Written Λουξ)
- 9 Thessalonikis Street, Thisio, 210 / Metro: Thisio
Situated right next to the train tracks, this friendly café-bar offers great value-for-money for an evening drink, or just a cup of coffee. Sitting at a table on the pedestrian Thessalonikis Street, you have a view of the tall chimney of Technopolis cultural centre, just behind the trees, across the street.
Exarchia
- Luxus
27, Valtetsiou Street, 213 0047353 / Metro: Omonia
Entrance to this small bistrot-cocktail bar takes you back to the 1930s, when art-deco was in full swing and bars played jazz. Great coffee and light meals are served in daytime, while in the evening, Luxus’ experienced bartenders start serving perfect, sui generis cocktails, and some even made from organic ingredients.
Alexandrino
- 69A Emmanuil Benaki Street, 210 3827780 / Metro: Omonia
The first thing you need to know about this classy café-bar, is that is usually full. The second is that it serves to its artistic clients delicious baquetes and good French wine.
Circus
- 11 Navarinou Street, 210 3615255 / Metro: Omonia
A successful blend of café and café-bar housed in a neoclassical house, Circus is usually packed in the evenings. Its drinks are brought in huge glasses.
Kokkinos Lotos
- 5 Zoodohou Pigis, 210 3801380 / Metro: Omonia
With its Asian décor and red walls, this small bar always attracts the attention of passers-by. The crowd here is artistic and appreciates the ultra-cheap drinks, that will set you back just €3.20.
The Drugstore
- Corner of Arahovis (10) and Ippokratous Street / Metro: Omonia
The only drug you might need here is an aspirin, if you stare too long at the dizzying black-and-white floor tiles. The menu says that coming here is ‘cheaper than staying at home’, which I guess may be true if you order take-out. A simple drink costs €3.5.
O Kipos tis Kalashnikov
- 87 Emmanouel Benaki, 210 3813685 / Metro: Omonia
Kalashnikov’s Garden (Kipos) is a multi-venue that plays rock music and hosts live gigs and exhibitions.
Kazu
- 3 Mavromihali, 210 3602242 / Metro: Omonia
For an early drink tiny Kazu is a favourite bar.
Habeat
- 44 Themistokleous Street / Metro: Omonia
This bar is a testimony to Exarhia’s alternative reputation. Habeat is an odd creature, both a bar and a vinyl store. The DJs play music only with vinyl records, which they also sell at the first floor and drinks are super cheap.
Ginger Ale
- Exarhia Square, 210 3301246 / Metro: Omonia
With its odd mix-and-match of furniture, Ginger Ale is a standard hangout bar for locals.
Metaksourgio
Barrio
- 53 Keramikou, 210 5246564, Metro: Keramikos
Starts early with coffee and fruit juices and continues with soul and funk music through the night.
Cabaret Voltaire
- 30 Marathonos, 210 5227046, Metro: Metaksourgio
Combines different elements successfully – a restaurant, a bar, a treatre and good music.
Gazi & Keramikos
The old run-down area has transformed into an uber trendy neighbourhood, which caters to the needs of its ever-moving clientele. Gazi is a quiet neighbourhood during the day, but as the evening approaches, groups of people and couples emerge from the metro station and disappear in nearby mezedopolia and bars for an early drink. By midnight, the streets are filled with people who rush to grab a couple of seats in one of the areas bars. For all the venues mentioned below, the closest metro station is Keramikos, unless otherwise stated.
Gazi College
- 53 Persefonis Street, 210 3422112
Since its opening, this large New York-style venue raised the bar for all-day hangouts in the area. There are filling salads and street-food to nibble on while you wait for your fresh cocktail and a floor-to-ceiling libraby right behind you to pass time while you wait for your friends. Additional points for being smoke-free.
A Liar Man
- 2 Sofroniou, Gazi, 210 3426332
Walk inside the narrow Sofroniou Street and find this taverna-looking bar at number two. Its jazzy music and Mediterranean-style décor – and food – have made it a very popular hangout place.
Hoxton Bar
- 42 Voutadon, 210 3413395
When you feel like pumping up the volume, head into the main square and walk into Hoxton, a tribute to its namesake in London. The backdrop is industrial with leather couches and cement walls. It houses alternating artwork, gigs and parties and opens out on the pavement.
Nixon
- 61B Agisilaou, 210 3462077
Urban chic décor and tables with a separe set the tone in this trendy multi-venue. Nixon serves well-made cocktails, delicious burgers and great music. The large glass windows allow full street view.
Bios
- 84 Pireos, Gazi, 210 3425335
Further up Pireos street is the trend setting multi-venue which houses dj sets, theatre performances, cultural events and the best mojito in town. With an impeccable 70’s urban environment, it opens its terrace to the thirsty public.
Intrepid Fox
- 50 Triptolemou, 210 3466055
An English rock-metal pub in the centre of Athens, with a wide selection of beers and live gigs. There’s a pool table too.
Gazaki
- 31 Triptolemou, 210 5227046
One of the first bars to open in Gazi, it’s wooden, cosy and crowded.
Gazarte
- 32-34 Voutadon Stret, 210 3460347
This bar certainly has one of the best views of downtown Athens from its large roof-top terrace. Visit Gazarte for an early drink, as it can get pretty crowded later on.
Socialista
- 33 Triptolemou Street, 210 3474733
Join Athens’ youth in this excellent venue for mainstream music, live Greek bands and good drinks.
Kerameio
- 27 Plateon Street, Keramikos, 210 3464221
This café-bar has a friendly atmosphere and is frequented mainly by college students and locals who wish to avoid the noise and hype of nearby Gazi. Drinks include beers and rakomelo, while the bar often hosts DJ sets and other events.
Petralona
Vraziliana
- 4 Arkadon, Merkouri square, Ano Petralona, 210 7108428, Train: Ano Petralona
An all-day venue offering coffee and light lunch during the day and a low-key bar serving caipirinhas and mojitos to the sound of Brazilian melodies during the night.
Klouvi
- Kithadinon & Dimofondos 57, Petralona, 210 347999
The name of this place means “cage”, but you will not feel trapped at all. Small and friendly, Klouvi plays jazz and draws customers in right after dinner-time.
Psirri
Cubanita
- 28 Karaiskaki, 210 3314605
You feel like a guest in a house in Havana as soon as you enter this popular joint, great for a second round of drinks and maybe some salsa dancing. The cocktail menu lets you select among a wide range of specialties with mojitos being more prominent. There’s also a restaurant but it’s closed for the summer.
Philipp
- 4 Tombazi, 213 0325624, Metro: Monastiraki
An amazing aquarium is the centre of attention in this classic style champagne bar.
Syntagma-Commercial centre (Emporiko Trigono)
Baba au Rum
- 6 Klitiou, 6948 242455 / Metro: Panepistimio
The first bar to revive the love for top-quality cocktails, mint-coloured Baba has an amazing range of cocktails, rare brands of rum, surprisingly good food served until 2300 and professional barmen who can prepare pretty much anything you ask of them. Happily, it is also smoke-free.
The Gin Joint
- 1 Christou Lada, Platia Karitsi, Syntagma, 210 3218646 / Metro: Panepistimio
Do you like gin? So does this tiny, retro-style bar which opened recently to teach Athenians the authentic gin cocktails as they were served in the 1920s and beyond. Black and white décor, big-band and jazz music and its peculiar cocktail glasses make it stand out.
Bartessera
- 25 Kolokotroni, 210 3229805 / Metro: Panepistimio
Tucked away in an arcade, this is an all-day bar that hosts exhibitions and live events.
42
- 3 Kolokotroni Street, Tel: +30 6948 242455 / Metro: Syntagma
Wooden bar and amazing cocktails by award-winning bartenders.
Galaxy
- 10 Stadiou, 210 3227733 / Metro: Syntagma
Not to be confused with posh Galaxy Bar oat the Athens Hilton, this is a classic American bar and a haven for after-work drinks and quiet conversations.
Toy café
- 10 Karitsi, Plateia Karitsi, 210 3311555 / Metro: Panepistimio
The usual after-work hangout for journalists and people in the media business. If you go early (before 2200) sit on the stools next to the large window.
Pairi Daeza
- 3 Parnasou, Karitsi Sq, 210 3210233 / Metro: Panepistimio
The name means “paradise” in Iranian. Opens early and gets livelier in the evenings.
Oinoscent
- 44A Voulis Street, 210 3229374 / Metro: Syntagma
Come into this tiny wine-bar and store and try a glass of wine from its exquisite wine collection from all over the world.
Mavili square-Ambelokipi
Santa Botella
- 115A Panormou, 210 6981032 / Metro: Panormou
The colourful mosaic terrace attracts
Laura’s
- 7 Soutsou, Mavili Sq, 210 6428473 / Metro: Megaro Mousikis
Legendary bar, an integral part of the square and loved by local residents. Low key and relaxed.
Palio Faliro
Cruiser
- Flisvos Marina, Palio Faliro, 210 9821494, Tram: Marina Flisvou, Trocadero
A chic cocktail and wine bar in a Monaco-styled marina, decorated with wood.
Skippers
- Inside Marina Kalamakiou, Palio Faliro
Skipper’s is a quiet café-bar for an early drink. It’s wooden deck and sea view marks it out as one of the best bets for a quiet night out. Dress code is casual.
Glyfada
Balux – The House Project
- 58 Posidonos, Asteras Glyfadas, 210 8983577 / www.baluxcafe.com / Tram: Kolimvitirio
This venue is in a category of its own. The creators of Balux decided this year there’s no place like home. Thus they remodelled the well-know venue into a proper - rich man’s- home. This house seems to have no end – and no walls. There’s a living room to sit and chat with friends, a playroom to improve your skills in pool or play cardboard games, a telly to watch your favourite TV series, a modern kitchen with a long wooden bench, a dining room to dine in style and a massive bar to complete your evening. There’s also a bedroom with ehm, beds. Of course no house would be complete without its garden. Balux’s garden opens on the seaside with tables arranged around white tents. The venue even has a playground for kids with a large pool next to it. Did I mention it also has a library?
Kifisia
Semiramis Bar
- 48 Harilaou Trikoupi, Kefalari, 210 6284500, Train: Kifisia
Inside the neon-coloured Semiramis hotel, there is a bar-restaurant serving tapas, regular menu food and cocktails to its well-heeled clientele.
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