Night Life in Greece

Δείτε παρακάτω....




Greek nightlife has a reputation for just getting started when the rest of Europe has already gone to bed. It's true. The nightlife in Athens is very sophisticated and varied. It used to be that during the summer the coast stole the show with its large and luxurious waterfront clubs, but with the resurrection of Gazi, Psirri, and Thissio, Athenians now head to the coastal clubs mostly on weekends during the summer. Most will begin their night downtown and make their way to the coast later. Keep in mind that with the tram, reaching these clubs is easier than ever. Because it runs on a 24-hour schedule on weekends during the summer, you will have no problem getting back to the center inexpensively. Even though I recommend you visit at least one of these clubs, to avoid velvet ropes and lines, you can make a reservation for dinner (they have amazingly tasty menus) and you can dine by the sea before the party gets started and linger until the club heats up. Apart from a few waterfront choices I will list, visitors will find most places conveniently located in the center. Some of the best lounges/bars in the city these days are found in hotels. Don't forget to have a drink at the top-floor Galaxy bar at the Hilton hotel for an amazing city view you won't find anywhere else. For the best Acropolis view head to the Hera Hotel's Peacock Lounge; for the most happening scene visit the Frame Bar-Lounge at St. George Lycabettus Hotel, the Fresh Hotel's Air Lounge Bar, and Ochre & Brown lounge. Okay, let's get going.

Psirri -- (Metro: Monastiraki)

Hang out at the bar and take in the hip and fun scene in this large club, where rotating guest DJs spin everything from house to rock and everything in between. (Cover: 15€; live bands Wed-Thurs.) Cubanita (restaurant/bar/club), 28 Karaiskaki (tel. 210/331-4605). Hands down one of the most fun nights to be had in the city, where Latin beats and excellent Cuban cuisine combine to make a great place to party until the early morning hours. On some nights there's live Cuban music. It may close in July and August. El Pecado (bar/restaurant/club), 11 Tournavitou (tel. 210/324-4049). "The Sin" came about from the unorthodox union of a medieval Spanish-style church and erotic murals inspired by Bible themes. Confused? Don't be. Follow the fun into this sinfully enjoyable venue. In summer it moves to Voula. (Cover 10€.) Soul Garden (bar/restaurant/club), 65 Evripidou (tel. 210/331-0907). Inside a restored house, you can have the best mojitos in this part of town and excellent Thai finger food in the beautiful candlelit, Chinese lantern-filled courtyard, or just chill out to the soundtrack inside and out. Unpretentious, stylish, and fun, the upstairs club opens late.

Thissio -- (Metro: Thissio)

Athinaion Politeia (cafe/bar/restaurant), 30 Apostolou Pavlou and 1 Akamanthos (tel. 210/341-3794). My favorite cafe in downtown Athens, this grand restored building (a grocery store in the 19th century) has the perfect location right on the Promenade, with uninterrupted views of the Acropolis and passersby. Space by Avli (cafe/bar/club), 14 Iraklidon. This charming daytime cafe slowly evolves into a bar/club over its three stylish floors with a mostly soul and jazz soundtrack. Stavlos (multifunctional urban coolness), 10 Iraklidon (tel. 210/346-7206). Off the Archaeological Promenade on pedestrian Iraklidon Street, Stavlos was the royal stables in the 1880s. Now it is a cafe during the day with an Italian restaurant and outdoor seating in either the terrace, the tree-lined courtyard, or on the sidewalk. Good music and a laid-back pace guarantee a good time day and night when it turns into a bar/club.

Gazi -- (Metro: Kerameikos)

And here we are: nightlife central. Trying to pick a place here is tricky because most of the bars and clubs in Gazi are good. For starters, take a leisurely stroll to scope out the scene. Walk down Persefonis Street and Triptopolemou on either direction: The Kerameikos Metro station is a large landscaped plateia that covers an entire city block and is surrounded on either side by extremely popular bars. Once the bars reach full capacity, patrons head to the street and the plateia, drinks in hand.

Kolonaki/Ambelokipi -- (Metro for Kolonaki: Syntagma or Evaggelismos; for Ambelokipi: Ambelokipi)

Balthazar (bar/restaurant), 27 Tsoha and Soutsou, Ambelokipi (tel. 210/644-1215). Having been a favorite Athenian destination since the '80s, this beautiful mansion also has a fine restaurant, but it is the bar in the mansion's beautiful lantern-lit courtyard that is the favorite destination. Show up late (after midnight) for drinks in this incredibly romantic location with the pretty people. Baraonda (restaurant/bar/club), 43 Tsoha, Ambelokipi (tel. 210/644-4308). An atmospheric establishment, with red velvet curtains, candles, stone and tiled walls, chandeliers, two bars, a VIP section, and a summer courtyard to complement the energetic music, the fun-loving clientele, and the exceptional Mediterranean cuisine which tends to be on the expensive side (45€-50€). Memphis (bar/club), 5 Vendiri, Ilisia (behind the Hilton hotel; tel. 210/722-4104). Memphis has been popular for decades for its indie rock sounds. Mike's Irish Bar (Irish bar), 6 Sinopis, Ambelokipi (tel. 210/777-6797). Insanely popular Irish pub that's packed with ex-patriots longing for a nonglamorous bar setting. Right by the Athens Tower, this bar has become more expensive lately with certain nights (such as Karaoke Night) charging a cover, but still it's a lot of fun. Mommy (bar/restaurant), 4 Delfon, Kolonaki (tel. 210/361-9682). One of the most popular places of the moment, this impressive space -- with a smart decor, contemporary art exhibitions, excellent Mediterranean menu, and great drinks -- gets pumping after midnight when the fun spills out to its summer terrace. Rock n' Roll (bar/restaurant/club), 6 Loukianou and Ypsilantou (tel. 210/721-7127). A legendary Kolonaki haunt year after year (it's closed during the summer). On the upper level the restaurant has incredible views, whereas on the lower floor you can enjoy a drink in one of the most stylish bars in town.



Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/athens/0044021118.html#ixzz185itNKzn

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/athens/0044021118.html#ixzz185fE17E3