Entertainment in Crete
-
Koukouvagia
If you have wheels then take a 10-minute drive up to hill where the great statesman Eleftherios Venizelos is buried. This owl-themed café and bar (with an extraordinary owl décor collection) enjoys panoramic views of Hania. It's a cool place to hang on summer's nights. The pita creations are excellent, as are the large selection of cakes and desserts.
reviewed
-
A
Fortezza
This café, bar and restaurant, installed in the old Venetian ramparts across the harbour, is the best place in town for a sunset drink. A free barge takes you across the water, from the bottom of Sarpidona to the sea wall wrapping around the harbour.
reviewed
-
Fortuna
Sougia has two open-air clubs that can get surprisingly lively for such a small resort. Fortuna, on your left before the entrance to the town, has had an impressive makeover and is a great place for a late night drink. Both kick off after midnight.
reviewed
-
B
Xatheri
The best way to find any live Cretan music in town is by asking at the Aerakis Music store, spotting posters around town, or trying your luck at Xatheri, which has regular live music on Friday and Saturday nights (November to May).
reviewed
-
C
Theorio
The best way to find any live Cretan music in town is by asking at the Aerakis Music store, spotting posters around town, or trying your luck at Theorio, which has regular live music on Friday and Saturday nights (November to May).
reviewed
-
D
Ta Duo Lux
Further along the harbour, the arty café-bar Ta Duo Lux remains a perennial favourite hangout for a younger alternative crowds and is popular day and night. Along this strip you will also find Bolero and Hippopotamos.
reviewed
-
Baja Beach Club
On the old highway east of the town, this massive beach bar is like a tropical paradise with palm trees and bars around a big pool. At night it morphs into a happening club. The turn-off is just before the bridge.
reviewed
-
E
Privilege
Iraklio's smart set packs this dance club that can easily hold 1000 people. Like many of Crete's dance clubs, there's international music (rock, techno etc) until about 02:00, when Greek club music takes over.
reviewed
-
F
Guernica
A great combination of traditional décor and contemporary music make this one of Iraklio's hippest bar/cafés. The rambling old building has a delightful terrace garden for the summer.
reviewed
-
G
Café Kriti
Also known as Lyrakia, this rough-and-ready joint, with a decorative scheme that relies on saws, pots, ancient sewing machines and animal heads, is the place to hear live Cretan music.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Big Fish
The most popular waterfront club is the pretentious but nonetheless classy Big Fish, in a stunningly restored old stone building. Also popular is the club right next door, Desire.
reviewed
-
H
Open-air Theatre
In summer, the municipality hosts cultural events around the city, including the public gardens and the Open-air Theatre on, which has regular music and theatrical performances.
reviewed
-
I
Fagotto
A Hania institution housed in a restored Venetian building, Fagotto offers the smooth sounds of jazz and light rock and blues. Jazz paraphernalia includes a saxophone beer tap.
reviewed
-
Paleohora Club
Paleohora Club, next to the campsite, used to be popular for all-night, full-moon parties but is now a less-appealing swanky indoor club. There's a shuttle bus from the port.
reviewed
-
beach bar
Plakias has a good nightlife scene in the summer. Travellers tend to gravitate to a couple of key hang-outs, including the excellent beach bar in the middle of the beach.
reviewed
-
Alabama
Sougia has two open-air clubs that can get surprisingly lively for such a small resort. Alabama on the eastern side of the beach is the perennial favourite.
reviewed
-
Ostraco
Plakias has a good nightlife scene in the summer. Travellers tend to gravitate to a couple of key hang-outs. The younger hostel crowd congregate at Ostraco.
reviewed
-
J
Fortezza Disco
The town's veteran disco is big and flashy with three bars, a laser show and an international crowd that starts drifting in around midnight.
reviewed
-
K
Utopia
This almost-formal old-style café specialises in teas, hot chocolates and fondues, and has an assortment of equally wicked ice-creams.
reviewed
-
Finikas
Plakias has a good nightlife scene in the summer. Travellers tend to gravitate to a couple of key hang-outs, such as the popular Finikas.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Katafygio
Katafygio has tables along the water and is housed in a former carob-processing plant. It has Cretan and Greek nights and belly dancing.
reviewed
-
L
Raki Baraki
The owners of the excellent Avli restaurant have opened the more casual Raki Baraki mezedes bar, with live music Thursday to Sunday.
reviewed
-
M
Veneto
This café has the best view of the harbour and fortress from its lovely terrace. It's in an historic building near Hotel Lato.
reviewed
-
N
Café Santan
The city's first oriental café, with shishas, sofas and ethnic oriental dance music, including live belly dancers from 23:00.
reviewed
-
O
Synagogi
Housed in a roofless Venetian building that was once a synagogue, this popular lounge bar is the favourite haunt of young locals.
reviewed
