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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Rhodes
This lonesome relic, 3km east of Kattavia, resembles something from a spaghetti western. Constructed in 1926 as the centrepiece of an Italian agricultural…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Thessaloniki
A lovely oasis of potted plants, geometric tiles, slanting coloured light, bentwood chairs and vintage ephemera awaits those who find Palermo, up an…
Thrace
Cosy and always busy, this 'diskokafeneio' does coffee, drinks and DJs. The crowd skews young, but the schedule includes a big variety of cultural events…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Folegandros
Overlooking a vineyard, this convivial spot is a must for wine lovers: there are over 40 Greek vintages by the glass. Get talking to the owner about…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
