Athens has a lively nightlife with many great bars and places to go out. From small, cozy bars in neighborhoods like Psirri and Koukaki to beautiful rooftop bars with views of the illuminated queen: Acropolis, there are options for every taste.
People in Athens usually start their night late and often move from one bar to another. Whether you want a relaxed drink, a cocktail with a view, or music and dancing, the city offers something for everyone!!
You can find bars to have fun in every single small neighborhood but there are some of them that are more popular.
Let me give you some examples:
- Syntagma, Monastiraki and Psirri areas in the city center have plenty of options. Check around Kolokotroni street too and Agia Eirini square.
Examples: Bank Job, Drahmi, Ipitou the bar, Clumsies, IDEAL, The 7 Jokers, Drunk Sinatra, Bless me Father, The Bar in front of the bar. Juan Rodriguez and Barrett in Psirri are great too. Zuka is an elegant high end restaurant with live show and singers!
- There are magnificent rooftop bars (that you can also have a lunch/dinner) with amazing views of the city & Acropolis hill. Located mainly in Monastiraki & Syntagma.
Examples: A for Athens, Taratsa, Thea Terrace, Ermou 18, Ciel, Bios, Ergon House, Attic Urban, Zillers, Anglais, City Zen, 360 Cocktail bar, etc
- Kolonaki is one of the most elegant and upscale neighborhoods in Athens, known for its stylish boutiques, cafes in Tsakalof street (and not only) and lively nightlife. The area is full of chic bars where locals and visitors go out for drinks, including spots like Rock ‘n’ Roll Athens, Forte, Zurbaran, Bronco, Kissa (Japanese gastropub but great vibes for drinks!), Minnie the Moocher, Poco a Poco and so many more! Angel’s tip: One of my favorite parties in Athens during winter are the afternoon parties in Rock & Roll from 17:00 till 22:00 pm. Then they close to reopen again for night!
- Koukaki full of cute meze restaurants and bars that locals choose. Examples: Tiki bar, Bel ray, Spirtokouto.
- Exarcheia: Very vivid area with many Greeks and great bars & restaurants. Examples: Warehouse, Sousourada, Kobra, Tziz, Falaina, Gamay wine bar, Agios for very late night drinks.
- Pangrati with many bars, locals and great vibes. Angel’s tip: Some great ones for drinks that locals prefer are Profitis, Agave, Hippy3, Secta, Tre Sorelle, Mpriki etc
Agave bar in Pagrati
- Petralona which is a more industrial area and you can find bars like Line, Opupa Epops, Klouvi etc
- Piraeus: Another huge area of the capital next to the sea as the main port of Greece is here. So many incredible options for all the tastes either in Mikrolimano, Kastella, Marina Zeas or Trouba etc. Examples: Tony’s, Rockfellas, Charlotte. Angel’s tip: One of my favorite places in Piraeus for drinks with food and live music is “Stou Thoma”. It’s a lively spot where you can smash plates for a fun and authentic Greek night out.
- Kerameikos (Gazi) where you can find bouzoukia (with live music & Greek singers) and night clubs (like Lohan) apart from the usual bars. Examples: Beauty killed the beast, Kerameio, Momix. Angel’s tip: A great one for drinks and cabaret show with impressive artists is “Parfait”, I really enjoyed it!
- Chalandri & Vrilissia: In the north side of Athens is full of options as well. Examples: Forget about it, Darling, Mockingbird’s bar, Mr Peacock, White monkey, etc. Angel’s tip: I love Lolita’s in Chalandri on Saturdays during winter with live music and dancers!
- Glyfada city and Vouliagmeni close to the sea, vivid throughout the year and crowded during summer months. Examples of bars: Pere Ubu, Nuera, Opus, Rumors, Charlie etc
- Nea Smirni area with many bars around the central square. Example: New Habits, Epitokio, Rusty Grail
AWARDED bars: There are some lists with the internationally-awarded bars in the world and you can find now some of them in Athens city!
- Line – in Petralona town
- Ranked #6 in the world (for 2024)
- Industrial-chic bar with house-made drinks like strawberry wine
- Super creative and modern
- Baba au Rum – in Monastiraki area (close to Syntagma)
- Ranked #17 in the world (for 2024)
- Huge rum selection & tropical cocktails
- Cool mid-century tropical vibe
- The Clumsies – in Syntagma(heart of Athens)
- Former top 10 in the world and no.47 for 2023
- Relaxed, stylish bar with unique cocktails
- A true Athens classic and used to have the title of “Legend of the World’s 50 Best bars”
- The Bar in Front of the Bar – in Plaka/Syntagma
- Hidden gem, speakeasy style – no. 98 of best bars worldwide
- Creative menu that changes often
- Subtle, intimate atmosphere
- Barro Negro – in city center close to Syntagma
- First “tequileria” in Athens
- Specializes in tequila, mezcal, and Paloma cocktails
- Great for something different
Line in Petralona
You can discover more about Athens through my other articles, where I share tips, favorite restaurants and great places to explore around the city.
- BEST RESTAURANTS IN ATHENS: Click here for the best FOOD spots of the city by area and preference.
- THINGS TO KNOW & DO IN ATHENS with IDEAL itinerary: Click here for tips about the Greek capital.
- ACROPOLIS: Click here to read more about the Jewel of Athens.
- BEST BEACHES IN ATHENS: Click here to learn.
Check my Instagram highlights and posts for more Athens content!
IG: explorewith.angel
