Syntagma & Plaka
Look for the red neon in the hallway of this discreet bar that fills your coffee and creative cocktail needs. Founded by three award-winning bartenders,…
Must-see nightlife in Greece
Athens
Look for the entrance to this rooftop bar down a narrow pedestrian lane, then inside the arcade. From there, an elevator goes to the 3rd floor and its…
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Thessaloniki
A little out of the way, this is the place to go for rembetika (urban 'blues') and other unamplified strains of traditional Greek song. Three brothers…
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Pelion Peninsula
A hand-painted sign, just north of Horto, points out the 200m path down to this delightful cafe alongside the Diplomats’ Holidays complex. Themed for the…
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Central Greece
Alexandros Karveli serves Greek coffee made the old-fashioned way, along with espresso drinks and Greek mountain tea. But the real reason to come to his…
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Ikaria
Its own beer production was still in the works at the time of research, but you can try seven kinds of craft beer from different parts of Greece,…
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Meteora & Thessaly
Big Coffee may be encroaching on Volos, like everywhere else, but with its comic artwork – check out the unbelievably smutty glass-topped table – this…
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Rhodes Town
This high-ceilinged, free-spirited bar and coffeehouse, close to the attractive Ibrahim Pasha mosque, is as pretty as it is friendly. Inside, the stone…
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Macedonia
A wonderland of judiciously assembled kitsch, this two-storey cafe-bar in an arcade in central Florina is a great alternative to the smoke-filled caffeine…
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Karpathos
The oldest cafe on the island was once a magnet for Italians (thus the fabulous coffee served in the original Bialetti espresso pots). These days…
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Rhodes
This lonesome relic, 3km east of Kattavia, resembles something from a spaghetti western. Constructed in 1926 as the centrepiece of an Italian agricultural…
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Rethymno
A gathering spot for Rethymno's slightly older indie crowd, this relaxed, unpretentious bar is decked out in arthouse-film posters and modern-art…
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Meteora & Thessaly
Very simple, very friendly bar, with tables out in an alleyway that leads off the northeast corner of the large Plateia Riga Fereou. Inside, you’ll find…
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Macedonia
Follow the scent of freshly brewed coffee to this welcomingly off-kilter little cafe-bar, festively decorated in most of the primary colours. There is a…
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Athens
Based in the former offices of famous, but now defunct, magazine Romantso, this diamond of a creative hub has multiple facets. It's an all-day cafe-bar,…
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Athens
This lovely bar-restaurant is one of the reasons Petralona is considered a just-the-right-amount-of-cool neighbourhood. It has numerous rooms filled with…
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Lefkada
Very friendly bar-cafe on the main pedestrian street, with pavement tables plus a quirky interior kitted out like a vintage grocery. The Greek sign is…
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Paros
Several tiny blocks south of the waterfront, in the shade of a huge eucalyptus tree, Santé is a good spot for coffee during the day, but things only…
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Elounda
Well worth the uphill walk to the ancient village of Mavrikiano, this adorable drinking den does a roaring trade in bottled craft beers, quality local…
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Thessaloniki
A lovely oasis of potted plants, geometric tiles, slanting coloured light, bentwood chairs and vintage ephemera awaits those who find Palermo, up an…
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Hania Province
Not only a good choice for a quick breakfast or snack, this smart modern waterfront cafe-bar is a great place for coffee and gets lively at night with…
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Thessaloniki
What started as a venue to promote the musical creations of a few friends morphed into Coo, the fantastic alternative bar of today. Coo often hosts live…
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Hania
Soak up the sun at a street-side table with music wafting from this hip corner coffee spot. Beans are sourced from around the globe, including Guatemala…
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Hania Province
One of the best spots for a drink in town, this attractive, modern wine bar with a delightful garden courtyard features more than 40 top-quality wines by…
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Hania
Housed in a roofless Venetian building on a small lane next to the synagogue, this popular summer-only lounge bar with eclectic decor is a laid-back place…
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Corfu Town
Sample local and imported beers, either inside the custard-coloured villa at the foot of the steps leading up to the Neo Frourio or at the terraced tables…
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Lesvos
This hip student favourite is filled with eclectic paintings, old mirrors and well-worn wooden fixtures, giving it a relaxed, arty vibe. Mix in some great…
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Lesvos
With its painted blue stars, beaded curtains and bottles of Guinness, this whimsical British-run bar on the harbour waterfront’s far eastern side is…
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Hora (Mykonos)
The mainstay of Mykonos' gay party scene since Apollo was a lad, this waterside bar is wall-to-wall writhing bodies after 11.30pm, with the waitstaff…
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Ios
This local institution has been thumping since 1979 and is still one of the hottest spots on the island. The manager has a penchant for Swedish, rock and…
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Macedonia
Hands-down Kavala's best-situated cafe, Briki sits pretty at the southern end of the Panagia peninsula, its wood-and-stone, bric-a-brac–crammed interior…
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Hydra Town
During the day, friendly Wendy and Takis and their kids run this cafe with first-rate coffee, some of the island's most delicious breakfasts and home…
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Hora (Naxos)
The only true wine bar in Naxos is hidden in a tiny alley just behind Plateia Mandilara. It’s run by two congenial French ladies who'll tell you a thing…
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Amorgos
Facing the tiny quayside windmill, this skull-emblazoned bar is arguably Amorgos' best cocktail bar, with a hefty menu of original tipples. Sip a cucumber…
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Dodecanese
An ethereal spot for a sunset drink, this place occupies one of the six windmills that sit high above Pandeli. It has a well-stocked bar... and, of course…
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Central Greece
Now a round-the-clock bohemian hang-out, often cloudy with cigarette smoke, this grand vintage cafe featured in the classic 1975 Greek movie The…
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Corfu Town
Brilliant little juice bar that has boxes of fruit piled up outside like a fruit shop (which it also is). Pick your five a day and get them blended…
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Hydra Town
You can’t beat this gorgeous waterfront location on the swimming rocks to the far west of the harbour. Brothers Andreas and Elias provide snazzy cocktails…
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Thasos
Stroll past the Old Harbour for a quiet sunset drink at Karnagio, where outdoor seating straddles a rocky promontory lapped by waves. You can also clamber…
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Nafplio
Chilled-out cafe by day, buzzy bar by night, the 'Black Cat' has live performers some nights and DJs always. There are comfy seats outside and an eclectic…
