Bars and Nightlife

In Athens, sleep is overrated for party hounds looking to experience true nightlife during their stay in Greece’s capital. Athenians love to socialize, and most bars are all-day and all-night bars. That means it’s an easy transition from a relaxing coffee meetup to a spontaneous all-nighter. Athens nightlife offers something for everybody every day of the week, whether you prefer rooftop hotel bars, dance clubs, live music shows, or bohemian, underground joints. On weekends, expect places to start filling up after 11:00 PM while clubs tend to keep crowds well past 1:00 AM.

The city’s night entertainment is limitless, but here’s a list of the best spots worth losing sleep over.

Downtown

Noel $$ — Noel is all about celebrating the Christmas spirit year-round. Expect the festive staff to invite you to reflect on the important aspects of life, such as friendship and generosity, all while sipping holiday-inspired spirits. On weekdays, the bells jingle until 2:00 AM, making it a popular mid-week nightspot. On weekends, the fun continues until 4:00 AM. Try the Spectacle, a gin cocktail made with Greek ingredients like mastiha extract, olive oil, and a splash of lemon.

Where: Kolokotroni 59B, Athina 105 62, Greece

Ipitou The Bar $$ — This casual cocktail bar is on Ipitou street near Syntagma Square and the shopping of Ermou Street. Surrounded by neoclassical buildings and regularly swaying with the sounds of jazz and soul music, the bar preserves the glories of the past in an area taken over by modern urban development. The corner counter is outdoors and an excellent spot for those who want to watch the bartenders in action while taking in the night. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the seasonal cocktails and make conversation with fellow customers.

Where: Ipitou 4 Athens, Greece 10557

Odori Vermuteria Di Atene $$ — Inspired by Torino’s vermouth bars, Odori was the first vermuteria in Athens. The setting resembles a botanical garden where guests sip on perfectly executed classic cocktails. There’s the quintessential Italian Negroni, as well as cocktails made with artisan liquors elevated with fresh, aromatic herbs. And for those who don’t want to drink on an empty stomach, Odori serves (what else?) authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza.

Where: Skouleniou 2 Athens, Greece 10561

Baba Au Rum $$ — Baba Au Rum is one of the most cosmopolitan bars in Athens. Here, drinkers can sip on quality and premium liquors from around the world. Baba Au Rum makes international best rum bar lists thanks to a more than fine rum selection, warm Athenian hospitality, and unconventional cocktails, like the award-winning daiquiri Cilantro Fresca made with Havana Club rum, orange oleo saccharum, lime, falernum, vanilla bitters, and cilantro.

Where: Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60, Greece

Kukos The Bar $$ — Over the past four years, Kukos has rightfully become the jewel of downtown Athens nightlife. Kukos maintains a first-class service even on the busiest of nights and has the integrity and aesthetics of a chic, yet unassuming, bar. The music on weekdays is predominantly jazz, funk, and soul while guest DJs make sure the dancing doesn’t stop before 7:00 AM on weekends. If the bar is packed, there are outdoor tables for those keen to drink Greek wines and homemade sangria.

Where: Kalamiotou 4, Athina 105 63, Greece

The 7 Jokers $$ — This late-night bar is Athens’ answer to, “What’s next?” Here, first-timers mingle with loyal, longtime customers and dance to DJ-approved rock and funk rhythms. The 7 Jokers is a community treasure, able to turn any dull late night into a lively afterparty. Due to its small, stretched-out interior, The 7 Jokers can get packed on weekends, but chances are there will be space before midnight and between 4:00 and 6:00 AM.

Where: voulis 7 Athens, Greece 10562

The Clumsies $$ — What happens when two award-winning bartenders and three entrepreneurs dream big in the middle of the Greek recession? An all-day quirky bar swarming with regulars and visitors seven days a week. Located in a fully restored 1919 mansion, customers can dance their way from one level to the next. A private room with a billiard table, a selection of vinyl records, and its own bartender is available upon request for special occasions.

Where: Praxitelous 30, Athina 105 61, Greece

The Speakeasy $$ — For travelers ambitious enough to seek out the secrets of Athens, The Speakeasy is an American-speakeasy-style cocktail spot with an unmarked door. Once you find it, don’t hesitate to ring the bell. The interior has all the hallmarks of a New York drinking club from the Prohibition era complete with low lighting, smooth jazz, and a secret backyard.

Where: 105 62, Lekka 12, Athina 105 62, Greece

Monastiraki and Psyri

Six D.O.G.S $$ — Open every day of the year, Six D.O.G.S is much more than an alternative, underground techno club on a side street near Monastiraki Square — it’s a cultural center where concerts, theater, round-the-table discussions, and exhibitions take place. The decor is neutral without an extravagant theme, so it’s able to adapt to the requirements of each event. Six D.O.G.S. attracts a mixed crowd of music lovers, artsy hipsters, and those who are forever young. Reserved types can order from the alfresco bar and enjoy the tranquility of the garden.

Where: Avramiotou 6-8, Athina 105 51, Greece

Barrett $$ — There aren’t many places in Athens that host different DJs and live bands every other day. Barrett, centered in the bohemian area of Psyri, is one of them, and it’s known for its alternative rock, soul, jazz, and blues, as well as an eagerness to showcase fresh local talent. DJ sets start at around 9:00 PM and last until 3:00 AM on weeknights (4:00 AM on weekends). The crowd is mainly young Athenians, who love Barrett for the affordable drinks, central location, and funky atmosphere.

Where: Protogenous 11, Athina 105 54, Greece

Couleur Locale $$ — Located in the historic center of Athens below the Acropolis, Couleur Locale’s rooftop bar offers spectacular views of the ancient site. Because of this, it can be hard for walk-ins to find a spot during and after sunset, even on weekdays. Low music and candlelit tables set a romantic mood during the week while DJs and live performances are on Fridays and Saturdays.

Where: Normanou 3, Athina 105 55, Greece

Koukaki

Bel Ray $$ — Bel Ray, at the far end of the Koukaki neighborhood, is a decent walking distance from the Acropolis and Syngrou Fix metro stations but is worth going the distance. The bar has a chill atmosphere that’s perfect for intimate groups looking to catch up. It’s the type of place where asking the bartenders what to get based on your preferences is the way to go, as the options are extensive.

Where: Falirou 88, Athina 117 41, Greece

Tiki Bar $$ — Every night, the vibes of the South Pacific emanate from this themed bar just below the Acropolis. From rock ’n’ roll to disco and Latin to jazz, funk, and soul, the music is a potpourri of old favorites, able to perk up even the most reluctant dancers. While partiers are traveling through time, Zombies and Mai-Tais flow from the bar.

Where: Falirou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece

Keramikos and Gazi

Beauty Killed The Beast $$ — Hand-picked vintage furniture, graffiti on the walls, a monastery table, and a bar above an underground jungle are just a few of the design elements that make guests at this cocktail bar go, “Wow.” The cocktail menu is equally creative. Bartenders invite guests to choose their mix depending on their personality, and pair the drink with quick and easy bar dishes like tacos and pizza. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar is open until 4:00 AM, and reservations are highly recommended.

Where: Paramithias 14, Athina 104 35, Greece

Lohan Nightclub $$$ — Only Lindsay Lohan herself can speak to what inspired the Hollywood star to become the host of an avant-garde club in Athens, but she has definitely found her niche in the vivid Greek capital. Most mega-clubs in the city play Greek pop music after around 2:00 AM or so, but Lohan keeps the club tunes playing all night from when the doors open at 11:00 PM to when they shut at 6:00 AM Thursdays through Sundays. The club has a notoriously tight door policy, so book a table in advance and arrive with a well-dressed and mixed group of males and females.

Where: 30, Iera Odos 32, Athina 104 35, Greece

Afrikana Jazz Bar $$ — From Wednesday to Friday, Afrikana offers unforgettable live music nights with an emphasis on jazz, afro, soul, and funk beats. There’s no cover charge but a small amount (usually three euros) is added to the cost of your first drink. The white cubic interior, which takes after the architecture of the Cycladic islands, is very small, and seats aren’t guaranteed. Overall, Afrikana keeps a low profile in the Athenian nightlife, and as soon as the band leaves the stage, the crowd also pulls out of the bar.

Where: Ierofanton 13, Athina 118 54, Greece

MoMix $$ — In 2013, MoMix opened as the first molecular mixology bar in Athens serving cocktails in the form of mousse, gel, and powder. The concept immediately piqued the interest of anyone curious to know what happens when chemistry, mixology, and imagination meet under the roof of a bustling bar. Today, the bartenders of MoMix still playfully create new flavors, textures, and visuals for an elevated cocktail drinking experience that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the city.

Where: Keleou 1, Athina 104 35, Greece

Bios $$ — Industrial, multi-functional, and adventurous, Bios is the indie solution to Athens’ overload of mainstream entertainment. In Bios, guests can begin their evening with a theater show, an exhibition, or a music gig and then continue their night with cocktails and finger food (including innovative vegan options) at the Tesla bar on the ground floor. During the summer months, the bar moves to the rooftop terrace for endless chilling on the sunbeds and exclusive views of the Acropolis.

Where: Pireos 84, Athina 104 35, Greece

Kolonaki

Rock n Roll Athens $$ — A bar that’s been at the forefront of Athenian nightlife for more than 30 years. The legendary space is open every day until 5:00 AM with resident and guest DJs. Tuesdays are dedicated to live music.

Where: Loukianou 6, Athina 106 75, Greece

Bogart $$ — A luxury club in the most upmarket neighborhood of Athens where nights (except Mondays) are danced away. On weekends, the strict door policy commands formal and elegant attire, and reservations are recommended for those who don’t like queueing. Tuesdays are dedicated to Greek pop music, which may be a no-no for travelers, or (why not?) a fun immersion into the local entertainment.

Where: 106 73, Panagiotou Anagnostopoulou 1, Athina 106 73, Greece

Cinderella $$$ — Disco balls hanging from the ceiling, a color-changing dance floor, and potted palm trees are all part of Cinderella’s formula to channel the nostalgia of the disco era. Here, millennials enjoy the retro glitter, and those in their 40s and 50s relive their youth. Disco-chic attire is recommended for those who want to get through the queue as fast as possible.

Where: Leventi 3, Athina 106 73, Greece