Acropolis Area
Images from Alfred Hitchcock movies are spray-painted on the wall in front of this bar on a quiet street with pillows out front for lounging. The…
Must-see nightlife in Greece
Athens
Set in a 19th-century neoclassical building, Poems & Crimes is the local writers' and book lovers' haunt. The quiet bookshop is also the office for a…
Syntagma & Plaka
Just what the name promises: there's an impressive 180 gins (but only one produced in Greece) as well as other fancy beverages to sample, some with…
Athens
This corner cafe-bar is a delightful slice of local Athens life, where friends chat quietly beneath an ivy bower over the footpath. Extra-friendly staff,…
Athens
Expanded in 2019, Handlebar is the place to have a coffee or a craft beer, perhaps while getting a bicycle repaired at the neighbouring shop. Even without…
Around Athens
Drop in for a drink at the cushy poolside bar at the boutique hotel Margi (doubles from €441).
Athens
This tiny cafe has made a name for itself for its hot chocolate and handmade truffles, displayed like gems in a glass case. It's a tiny, cosy place for…
Syntagma & Plaka
This relaxed wine bar, all mismatched vintage furniture, showcases the best of Greek vintages, paired with Greek cheeses and cold cuts. It periodically…
Athens
A good cool-weather destination, this cosy bar glows with candles and vintage brass instruments, and stays warm with the sounds of New Orleans bebop and…
Acropolis Area
Kitschy bachelor-pad decor, an Asian-inspired menu and an alternative young crowd make this two-storey spot a fun place for a drink. There's usually live…
Syntagma & Plaka
This casual bar-cafe hides at the end of the narrow Praxitelous arcade. It's a great place to chill out, particularly during the day. By night DJs play…
Syntagma & Plaka
Ignore the corny punning name – the team at this combo wine shop and bar are wise in the ways of the grape in all its varieties, whether Greek or…
Athens
Sidle up to the backlit bar or relax at tables outside at this small, cool spot. It's one of a few good mellow bars on this narrow street.
Iraklio
The indisputable frontrunner of Iraklio's mixology scene is this den of Prohibition-inspired decadence centred on a retail alcove just off Lion Sq…
Athens
With a view across the tidal canal that's part of the grounds surrounding the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, this cafe is the best place…
Rethymno
Rethymno's most raucous drinking spot is this smoke-filled rock bar that's been banging out tunes since the 1970s. It attracts a boozy crowd of black-clad…
Hania
Bohème's pretty, tree-shaded terrace and vine-covered pastel-pink stone building provide the perfect retreat. Sip coffee, craft beer or cocktails while…
Rhodes Town
Shoppers on the Old Town’s most commercialised street tend to double-take when they spot this venerable Turkish-styled cafe, with its pebble-mosaic floor,…
Pelion Peninsula
Snug cafe where the quirky interior is decorated with children's book covers (including the one that gave the cafe its name, Anna Na Ena Milo – Anna Have…
Corfu Town
Chic, split-level venue across from the Spianada, with an all-day bar on its own little gravel beach, and several higher tiers incorporating a restaurant,…
Iraklio
Crop divides its focus equally between two vices: caffeine and craft beer. At the time of writing it was Iraklio's only craft-focused bar, with five…
Chios
It's kind of apt that a favourite bohemian hang-out in this citrus region is themed around the director of A Clockwork Orange. Looking sombrely from a…
Agios Nikolaos
Dutch for 'cheerio', Toedeledokie is the brainchild of Dutch artist Lucia, who supplies killer coffee, creamy milkshakes and creative toasties all day…
Skiathos Town
Gazing out to Evia beyond Skiathos' islets, this relaxed yet elegant tapas-style wine bar (€4 to €6) and restaurant (pizzas, salads, omelettes; €5 to €13)…
Skyros
From floral-adorned swing chairs to sparkling whitewashed walls, it's all about driftwood-chic design at busy beach bar Juicy, which serves up wonderful…
Symi
What does an owner do when his wife needs him at home if he's working too long elsewhere? Open up a business in his home (and garden), of course. This…
Syntagma & Plaka
Tucked away in a delightfully quiet spot on the west end of Plaka, with shady outdoor tables and friendly service, Klepsidra is a favourite with locals…
Patra
An extension of the Prego cafe across the road, the broken doors, graffiti and crumbling concrete here meld into the tropical garden vibe, all plants and…
Nafplio
Just by the steps up to the Palamidi fortress, this welcoming cafe-bar is an all-rounder that offers breakfasts and brunches, all-day sandwiches and…
Acropolis Area
Just steps away from the Acropolis Museum and part of a complex consisting of a hostel, travel agent, burger bar and laundrette, this place really is what…
Rhodes Town
If Dracula developed a taste for rock music and opened a bar it might look something like this. Imagine purple velvet drapes, a handsomely crafted wooden…
Skyros
Perched on the seafront by the rock-cut church of Agios Nikolaos, this chicly converted old windmill is perfect for sundowners, with wines, cocktails and…
Iraklio
If you worship at the cocoa altar, make a beeline to this been-here-forever cafe for the best hot chocolate in town (14 varieties, none of which is…
Rethymno
With an interior of tiles, wood and newsprint, this place has a cool, vintage vibe. The bar is well stocked, including a good selection of cocktails using…
Syntagma & Plaka
Proof that Plaka is still very much a Greek neighbourhood despite the tourists, Yiasemi attracts a good mix of young Athenians, who set up for hours in…
Hania
About 5km east and uphill from Hania town is the spot where great statesman Eleftherios Venizelos is buried. The site and its neighbouring owl-themed cafe…
Hora (Mykonos)
Attached to the 'straight-friendly' Hotel Elysium, this poolside bar has long been the first port of call for the gay party crowd. Handsome barstaff flirt…
Athens
As you'd expect of a hotel rooftop bar, these are not the cheapest drinks in town – but they are well prepared and come with one of Athens' best panoramic…
Rethymno Province
If you're here in summer, head underground to rock out at the Cave bar. Built into a natural cave, it's one of Crete's more unique drinking spots, and…
Samothraki
Ex-urbanites Elias and Theodora have taken over Hora's old bank building and transformed it into a wonderful coffee shop. Take a seat on the balcony…
