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Home - City Guide - Athens - Nightlife | ||
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Nightlife Athens has a lively nightlife scene that takes place in the streets as well as in the hundreds of bars, tavernas and clubs throughout the city. Bars open until around 0400 and nightclubs until 0400-0600. Winter is the best time to enjoy the full range of after-dark entertainment, as many establishments follow the tourists out to the islands during the summer. For an authentically Athenian evening, find a bar or club offering bouzouki or rembÉtika music. Alternatively, numerous nightclubs and bars cater for European and international tastes. These are to be found mainly in the Syntagma, Theseio, Psirri and Kolonaki areas of central Athens and in the suburbs such as Kifisia, Faliro, Glyfada, VouliagmÉni, Voula and Varkiza. Bars: Ouzerí also known as ouzÉdhika and mezedhopolía are bars selling ouzo (usually beer and wine as well) accompanied by mezÉdhes (Greek hors d'oeuvres). Serious drinkers should head for Ouzeri Finopoulos, Athinás/ Euripídhou in the bazaar, where tumblers of ouzo are served but no food. Another place to try is Kouklis (also know as Toh Yerani), Tripódhon 14 in the Pláka. This mezÉ bar is lively and has a popular terrace. A more international atmosphere can be found at Barba Yannis, Emmanuel Benaki 94, and at the cosy but trendy CafÉ SantÉ, Solonos 54. Casinos: An hour's drive to the north of the city is Loutraki Casino (tel: (07) 4465 5501) one of the largest casinos in Europe. It is open 24-hours daily (except on Wednesday) it has a minimum age of 23 years, and requires a valid passport and vening dress. Admission Dr3000. Clubs: In the centre, Kingsize, Amerikis 3 is a popular club which plays techno and house music. A similar mix is on offer at Plus Soda, Ermou 161. Rave parties are held on Friday and Saturday nights near Kiffissia station at Battery, situated at Kiffisou 100. Live music: Rodhon, Márni 24, Plateía Váthis, is Athens' top pop and rock venue and hosts a range of homegrown and international acts. The city's main jazz venue is the Half-Note, Trivonianou 17, Mets. Greek and international blues artists can also be found at Blues Hall, Ardittou 44. Most rembÉtika clubs do not open until 2230 and tend to close at about 0400; the atmosphere really gets going after midnight. Other styles of Greek music are often also on offer. Some places to consider are Anifori, Vasileos Georgiou 47 in Piraeus; Taximi, Isavron 29 and Frankosyriani, Arachovis 57 - both in Exarchia; or Stoa Athanaton, SofoklÉos 19 - an old favourite located next to the central market. |