Athens nightlife

Expert guide to Athens

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An insider's guide to the best bars and nightclubs in Athens, including the top spots for cocktails, clubbing and partying with a view. By Jane Foster, Telegraph Travel's Athens expert.

Despite the recession, nightlife in Athens is buzzing. Many of the most popular venues are in the city centre, within walking distance of Syntagma Square.

Brettos

Best known for its lovely interior, with shelves of beautiful coloured bottles lit from behind, creating a warm glow, cosy Brettos has been on the go since 1909. The owners make their own liqueurs in more than 30 flavours, including cherry, lemon and mastiha, as well a classic ouzo. Take a stool at the bar for a convivial nightcap.

Address: Kidathineon 41, Plaka
Contact: 00 30 210 323 2110; brettosplaka.com
Opening times: daily, 10am-2am

Galaxy Bar

On the top floor of the Hilton Hotel, with views of the floodlit Acropolis rising above the city rooftops, this see-and-be-seen bar serves pricey cocktails named after the stars, such as Jupiter (gin, Champagne, cucumber and mint), plus finger food. There’s a lovely open-air terrace with a wooden deck and potted olive trees, and occasional celebrity DJ’s playing lounge and electro, and it stays open into the early-morning.

Address: 46 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue
Contact: 00 30 210 728 1402; hiltonathens.gr
Opening times: Mon-Thu 5pm-3am, Fri-Sat 5pm-4am, Sun 3pm-3am

Alexander’s Bar

In the Grande Bretagne (see Hotels), Alexander's is old-fashioned and sophisticated, like something from a black-and-white film set, with a vast 18th-century tapestry hung above the wooden bar, and occasional live music. It offers an impressive selection of cognacs and malt whiskies, plus classic cocktails. The signature drink is Mandarin Napoleon Select, combining Dubonnet Rouge, Grand Marnier, gin and essential oil of Sicilian tangerines.

Address: Syntagma Square
Contact: 00 30 210 333 0787; grandebretagne.gr
Opening times: daily 8am-midnight

TAF 

The Art Foundation (TAF) combines contemporary art with drinks in a lovely courtyard garden,with awnings creating a roof in winter. Tumbledown 19th-century outbuildings host exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography, while the central courtyard is one of the city's coolest bars, with chill-out music and subtle lighting.

Address: Normanou 5, Monastiraki
Contact: 00 30 210 323 8757; theartfoundation.metamatic.gr
Opening times: bar: daily 10am-3am; gallery: Mon-Sat noon-9pm, Sun noon-7pm

Seven Jokers

A sound choice for after-hours drinking, young professionals come here for expertly shaken cocktails, served by barmen dressed in black with white aprons, plus an eclectic choice of music – think Rolling Stones, Waterboys, Klaus Nomi and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s small and often packed, with a long narrow polished wooden bar, walls decorated with oriental tiles and memorabilia, subtle lighting, plus a few tables out front.

Address: Voulis 7, Syntagma
Contact: 00 30 210 321 9225
Opening times: Mon-Thu 10:30am-4:30am; Fri 10:30am-6am; Sat 2pm-6am; Sun 5pm-4:30am

The best hotels in Athens

A for Athens

Next to Monastiraki metro station, on the sixth floor of a small hotel, this rooftop cocktail bar is now one of Athens’ top after-dark venues. Outrageously popular with locals and visitors alike, it has a stylish open-air lounge terrace with amazing view of the floodlit Acropolis. Expect loud music and clubby atmosphere on Saturday nights, when you’ll probably have to queue for the lift (which only takes 3 people at a time). Alternatively, use the stairs. To avoid the crowds, come in the early evening for a sunset aperitif.

Address: Miaouli 2-4, Monastiraki
Contact: 00 30 210 324 4244; aforathens.com
Opening times: daily 11am-3am

By the Glass

To taste some of Greece’s top wines, call at this chic wine bar, set in an arcade opposite the Russian Orthodox church, close to Syntagma Square. They stock Greek wines only, and have a vast selection of over 150 different types, mainly supplied by small-scale producers. The floor-to-ceiling shelves are crammed with bottles, and there’s a bar lined with tall red stools, and subtle lighting. They also serve light meals and snacks to go with your wine, which you can order either by the glass or by the bottle.

Address: Georgiou Souri 3 & Philellinon, Syntagma
Contact: 0030 210 323 2560; bytheglass.gr
Opening times: daily 9am-3am

Island

In summer, several glamorous clubs set up along the coast, the most celebrated being Island. Stunningly beautiful, its décor – a sea-view terrace with lots of minimalist white and flickering candlelit lamps – is inspired by the Cyclades. The restaurant serves (pricey) contemporary Greek cuisine plus sushi. Music ranges from ambient and oriental ethnic to mainstream, and regular guests include Greek celebrities and sports personalities. With a tiny whitewashed church on site, it also makes an idyllic summer wedding venue.

Address: Varkiza (17 miles south-east of the city centre, on the coastal road to Sounio)
Contact: 00 30 210 965 3563; islandclubrestaurant.gr
Opening times: May-September daily, 9pm-3am

The Clumsies

Featured in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2016 awards, the Clumsies occupies a restored neoclassical building with a main bar and a private room (by reservation, maximum 10 persons). They serve a cocktail degustation menu (so you can try three or four different cocktails), plus draught beer and wine by the glass. It gets outrageously busy at weekends - they also do brunch and good coffee, should you need reviving the following morning.

Address: Praxitelous 30, between Syntagma and Psirri
Contact: 0030  210 3232682; theclumsies.gr
Opening times: Fri-Sat 10am-4am; Sun-Thu 10am-2am

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