Athens Nightlife

Hotel bars are rarely frequented by locals, but this one is different. Located in Monastiraki, this sixth floor cocktail bar affords fantastic views of the Acropolis, floodlit at night. With a spacious terrace, minimalist design, DJ music and great mojitos, it’s one of Athens’ most popular venues, and gets so crowded after midnight at weekends that it feels more like a club. To enjoy the view without the rabble, come early for a sunset aperitif.

In pretty Plaka, this old-fashioned distillery dates from 1909. The cosy and much-photographed interior combines a wooden bar lined with stools, and walls stacked with shelves of coloured back-lit bottles. The liquors on offer are their own creations, numbering over 30 flavours, based on various Mediterranean fruits, herbs and spices. They also serve a fine selection of Greek wines by the glass.

The most popular bar in Gazi by far is Hoxton, a former warehouse converted into an industrial-chic lounge-bar. Frequented by the 20 to 40-something age group, it’s all about polished concrete walls, old sofas, low-level coffee tables, and occasional painting and photography exhibitions. The music is an eclectic mix of electronic, indie, jazz and rock. In summer, clients spill out onto the car-free piazza.

Island in Varkiza is another club by the beach to look out for in summer. Glamour reigns here, with a whitewashed wooden deck affording stunning sea views, and a background of ambient and lounge music. Inspired by the romance of the Cycladic islands, there’s chill-out area with scatter cushions, potted plants and flickering candles, and a restaurant serving creative Mediterranean cuisine plus sushi. Romantic and effortlessly chic.

This multi-level underground venue has an industrial chic style that is the perfect match for its techno and tech-house music preference. But what truly makes this the ideal club for techno lovers is the hi-tech sound and light system.

Rock music enthusiasts might prefer the more informal Gagarin 205, staging live concerts in a former cinema space – the seats have been taken out, but the sloping floor means you can see the stage, even from the back. Attracting international names from the world of alternative music, Gagarin has hosted performances by avant-garde post-punk Manchester band, The Fall, Turkish alternative musical group, Baba Zula, and heavy metal band from Florida, Iced Earth.

For the best jazz in town, visit Half Note Jazz Club in Mets. On the go since 1979, it’s a classic jazz dive - cramped but cosy, with a small stage and a smoky bar area. It attracts an impressive line-up of international names including legendary blues musician Otis Taylor from Chicago, and the Curtis Fuller Sextet, lead by jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller from Detroit. It also offers a platform for local talent.

To hear authentic rembétika (blues sung by immigrants from Asia Minor who came to Greece in the 1920s), try the Stoa Athanaton, in the arcade inside the meat section of the Central Market. Founded in 1930, this atmospheric venue gets packed with locals, both old and young. A flower lady sells carnations, which the audience throw to the musicians during their favourite songs. It warms up around midnight with singing and dancing till 0400.