Night spots in Athens, Athens, Greece (A)

The trendiest place to be seen is here in Kolonaki. Filikis Etaireias Square is the main square of Kolonaki and the surrounding streets are filled with eateries and bars. Enjoy a drink on Skoufa Street at Big Apple Bar and Restaurant. Skoufa Street occupies a range of bars! Kolonaki is a trendy neighborhood and many famous people frequent this suburb. During the day Big Apple is open for a meal and by night it becomes a really funky nightspot to enjoy great music in a very stylish atmosphere. Each night at Big Apple plays a range of genres, from mainstream to pop to R&B and popular Greek tunes with a variety of DJs hosting throughout the week. The great thing about Athens is that the nightlife throughout the week is always busy well into the early hours of the morning.

Bartesera, in the Syntagma district, is a light filled cafe during the day and by night it is a busy bar packed with locals enjoying a drink and listening to great tunes played by various DJs throughout the week. The entrance to this bar is indented in the old Praxitelous arcade building and is quite inviting as the bar sign is bright and colorful and inside fairy lights fill the courtyard, just adding to the atmosphere. The bar has two rooms, one on the right, which also holds art exhibitions and has a more relaxed atmosphere playing more mellow tunes and a bar on the left with metalick decor giving it an industrial feel. In between the two rooms is a courtyard with more tables and chairs, above is a glassed roof that is open air during the summer time. There is a variety of music played here, depending on the night and the DJ; you can enjoy, funk, soul, rock, jazz, hip hop and more.

Plaka district is located directly under the Acropolis and is said to be one of the oldest towns in Athens. As you walk around the platea (means square in Greek) on Kidathineon Street, there are tavernas in a row ready to serve the traditional Greek cuisine. Along Kidathineon Street there is a gorgeous little wine/ouzeri bar called Brettos. From the front window your view into this room is an array of colorful bottles decorating the walls of this stylish little bar. Brettos was a family owned distillery and is apparently the oldest in Athens. It’s over 100 years old and some of the furniture in the bar are original pieces dated back to 1909! Enjoy a superb ouzo or liqueur that are old family recipes from Smyrni (Izmir, Turkey). Wine tasting is also available everyday and the owner and staff know their wines very well! This gorgeous bar is open 365 days a year from 10am to 3am.

Monastiraki is one of the main tourist areas in Athens. I love this place because there is so much variety! Along Adrianou Street you will discover taverns, after cafes, after taverns all in a row. My favorite night spot is the Gallery Bar. As you walk through the doors you are immediately surrounded by a very old stoned split level bar comprising of three rooms. Art work is hung all around the bar as they frequently hold exhibitions here and artwork is also for sale. You can bask in a drink with friends while listening to pleasant background music. Their drink menu serves a huge range of distillates, digestive shots and cocktails. They also have a great meze (small platters to share) menu. Why not try a hot cocktail that is enjoyed by many Greeks; Rakomelo which is Cretan raki with honey, cinnamon and clove. Gallery Bar in my opinion is a perfect spot to chill out before we move on!

Thissio is a beautiful area for a meal, a drink or a coffee by night with a view of the Acropolis in lights! It’s a beautiful walk from Monastiraki as you walk along side the Acropolis you see the Parthenon and other temples from various angles. Here at Thissio you will find an abundance of cafes and bars all in a row. Along Irakleidon walkway are crowds of people enjoying a drink and listening to latest tunes. Our stop is at Stavlos Bar. Stavlos means stable in Greek and in the 19th century was exactly that, royal stables. Today Stavlos Bar is frequented by many locals who enjoy live music in the garden court yard but also has various rooms to savor a quiet drink and a restaurant to enjoy a meal. Stavlos also has a gallery where they frequently host exhibitions on sculpture, photography, paintings and various designs.

Psiri district many years ago used to be an old agora selling various food items. Nowadays it’s filled with traditional taverns and bars and has really taken off. If you walk through Psiri during the day, it doesn’t really look like much, but by night it really comes alive. Psiri district is very close to Monastiraki. There are many little lane ways with hidden bars and clubs; my advice is to walk through these little streets after 10pm to see the movement in this up and coming area. Jolly Club is a place I stumbled across with friends late one night. It’s entrance and decor invites you into this chic bar/club. Hanging chandeliers, red couches with black and red decor and a glass of champagne, listening to great dance music, it really is the perfect recipe for a late night! Jolly Club also hosts live music nights. ‘Kali diaskedasi’ means have a great time!