Athens After Dark: The 30 Best Cocktail Bars in the City

Acclaimed as one of the 50 Best Bars in the World, Baba Au Rum is renowed for the moreish and sophisticated cocktail experience it provides without fail every time. Offering a diverse and innovative drinks menu, this world-acclaimed establishment boasts over 400 varieties of rum. Renowned for its avant-garde cocktails, it serves some of the finest Pisco Sours and Mai Tais, considered by many to be the best. A favourite with locals and travellers alike, this bar with its warm, offbeat ambience buzzes with energy even on a typical Tuesday night, and in summer customers pack the street outside it. Its selection extends beyond rum to include everything from Japanese beers to Italian wines, making it a haven for discerning drinkers, and now they serve bites too.

Legendary by now, The Clumsies is a vibrant and innovative cocktail hub, consistently ranked in the World’s 50 Best Bars because of the delicious creativity of its owners. It is loved especially for its innovative twists on classic cocktails, blending traditional Greek elements with progressive techniques. Signature drinks such as the Clumsy Smash, which features an unusual blend of dill, vodka, vermouth, chocolate oil, matcha tea and lemon, reflect their daring approach. The bar also offers unique creations such as the Nostalgia, a Greek-inspired rum blend with biscuit, hazelnut and mountain tea, and the Mediterranean Gimlet, a play on the Greek salad.

A stylish whiskey haunt since 1972, this place is known for its classic American-inspired yet deeply Athenian bar ambiance and rich history, which makes a boozy portal to the past. Patrons can sip old fashioneds and dry martinis alongside a selection of traditional Scottish and Irish whiskies, gins and vodkas. Galaxy is the kind of place to go when you are not out to see and be seen, but where you can relax over a long conversation without multiple distractions.

Quinn’s

Classics sit at the core here, sometimes untouched, sometimes lightly adjusted, always served with precision. Martinis and Zombies move across the bar under the watch of a Hieronymus Bosch triptych, while music and a steady flow of regulars fill the room from early afternoon. The project belongs to Ilias Marinakis and takes its place quietly but firmly on Mayandrou. The bar has a grandiose air about it, and sitting at it feels a little like being part of a film. The drinks are smoothly mixed, which only adds to the charm of being there.

Sound defines the experience inside the former Teleion pastry shop in Kypseli, now transformed into a “listening bar” with visible care for detail. Vinyl records and CDs rotate through jazz, afro, and disco, supported by a high-fidelity sound system. Behind the drinks is Popi Sevastou, whose cocktail list avoids shakers entirely, relying on stirred builds such as a Negroni with apricot and Pedro Ximénez sherry, a ginger-forward 50/50 Martini, and a banana-inflected New York Sour. Popular from the moment it opened, this place looks like it’s here to stay.

With a daily changing menu, The Bar in Front of the Bar offers a dynamic, if somewhat quirky, because of its overall concept, cocktail experience. This unique venue, featuring an inside bar and – you guessed it – another, smaller one out front – thrives on a zero-waste philosophy, creatively repurposing leftovers into new concoctions. LED mottos and a carefully thought-out drink selection made with handcrafted syrups, purees and bitters make the flavours more memorable. Cocktails range from new-age twists on classics to six daily signature surprises, ensuring a fresh experience every time you visit.

Kias Street in Exarcheia gained a new point of bar gravity in this space aligned firmly with retro vibes. Visual language, music selection – mainly funk, soul, jazz, rock, and more contemporary experimental house – and drinks operate on the same wavelength. Specials include the Creamy Daiquiri (with rum and patisserie cream), and a pina colada reconceptualized as Purlpe Rain (with rum, pieapple and coconut) and classic cocktails such as Martinis and Negronis made in slightly original ways and forming the backbone of the menu.

If you’re in search of one of the best Aropolis views, this bar-restaurant atop the Herodion Hotel is a must-visit. The bar itself is set between the lounge and a dining area, prominently placed to face a fantastic view of the Parthenon that makes your cocktail taste even better. Unique to the bar is its pairing of complimentary tapas with each cocktail, like the handmade loukoumades served with a mastic-flavoured Greek cocktail. Open only May to October.

09

Maggie Kassidy

The inverted-horseshoe bar dictates both movement and social flow in this Panormou-area address. Reworked classics dominate the list, with cocktails such as a balanced Old Fashioned or a well-judged Daiquiri setting the tone. The project comes from Armelina Antonaropoulou, Mikaela Tsikoudaki, and Spyros Anagnostou, drawing on long-standing experience behind the bar.

Combining the bombastic vibes of a New Orleans party with the exotic charm of Panama, this bar is a great place for party animals to be from dusk till dawn. Its has a colonial-style setting that transports you to the essence of Latin America, with palm trees planted in the middle of the space and in the late hours, barmen who shake tambourines and bang metal drums creating an ambience that makes dancing irresistible. The bar offers an eclectic cocktail list that has been ingeniously categorised to cater to a variety of tastes, with highlights such as a sangria made with a blend of Caribbean rums and a range of ‘twisted classics’ such as the Lococo Tici, a rum-based drink with a hint of banana and coconut.

Established in 1978, this bar is an ideal change of scene for jazz lovers who like cosy spots with quality drinks – and especially a great selection of whiskies and rums. In a cozy speakeasy ambience with cluttered, yet not stifling, vintage decor like gramophones, jazz band statues, typewriters, vinyl records and black-and-white photos of the world’s greatest jazz legends, you can savour well mixed classic cocktails or a warming quality whisky while enjoying a nostalgic soundtrack spanning jazz genres. Come here for the music, the quality drinks and the vibe, and enjoy conversing in a corner till the late hours.

Red tones and New York references frame a concept built openly around pizza, cocktails, and party energy – described as “Beats and Slices” – located directly opposite buzzy Agion Theodoron Square. Margaritas, Palomas, and spirit-forward classics move quickly across the bar under the guidance of World Class Greece winner Ektoras Vezyrgiannis. The pizza program is handled by Nikos Sotiropoulos, completing the declared triangle.

An all-day bar in Ilioupoli, replacing the historic Garage with a contemporary space marked by a deep blue bar. Cocktails lean toward familiar territory, with choices such as Negronis and Gin & Tonics fitting naturally into the setting. DJ sets appear on selected evenings, keeping the rhythm flexible rather than fixed.

Athens’ popular open-air skate bowl, with a garden shed cafe and performance space, this place was esigned by a skater-architect and is loved for its unique 3D plywood bowl that doubles as a seating area at night. Try the Latraac mule in the garden in a no-frills, new agey space complemented by trees and urban gardening. There is a happening blend of experimental electronic music and nightly DJ sets. Open only May to October.

A favourite among locals and just-off-work bartnenders alike, this Syntagma haunt gets very busy and animated in the after hours, while its outdoor tables occupied all day. The unpretentious, theatrical and vibrant bar is known for its great music, especially during themed events, as well as its theatrical decor, which includes large puppets dangling from the ceiling and tribal masks. The bar creates serves up great cocktails using special edition spirits, aged distillates and rare brands, and its classics such as the Bloody Mary are memorable.

Despite its diminutive size, trendy Falaina packs a punch with its reasonably priced cocktails and youthful Exarchia crowd. The neon-lit interior adds a touch of pink to a minimalist decor, carefully curated by a set designer. Falaina serves good classic cocktails without excessive garnishes, purees or syrups. They also go green by using sustainable packaging and wheat-based straws.

This place can get crowded, but that just adds to the excitement. DJs spin Greek and international hits, making it perfect for late night bopping. Inside, the decor is reminiscent of a heist scene, with distressed walls, a central vault-like bar and a neon sign that reads ‘Wrong… in all the right ways’. The menu is full of cryptic recipes, with cocktails named after famous thieves such as El Coyote and Thomas Crown. Try the Alan Conway, a nutty blend with Brugal Blanco rum, or the spicy Thomas Crown with Finlandia vodka, grapefruit and pepper.

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Ichigo Ichie

Athens’ first Japanese bar. Dark tones, low ceilings, and a deliberately restrained palette define this pedestrian-street address in the center. Precision shows in the glass, where attention to pure ice supports clean serves such as Martinis and highballs. A custom-made bar station anchors the room, while house and electronic music shape the soundtrack.

Limits structure the offering on Ploutarchou Street, where ten wines and ten cocktails define the menu. Martinis and Spritz-style drinks appear alongside a carefully controlled selection, curated by Anastasios Behrakis and Dimitris Loukidis. Architectural references balance established Kolonaki formality with modern lines, with DJ sets mainly on Sundays.

Spread over three 1930s buildings, this is a vibrant contemporary space with historic roots – one was a sugar and salt shop, another a brass pottery workshop and the third a former residence. The bar’s cosy interior is a showcase of creativity. Try the Art Brut with strawberry, lemon, balsamic cream, herb liqueur, peach and vodka, or the Amnesia with rum, pineapple, lime, ginger, maraschino liqueur and absinthe. Upupa Epops is known for its signature and seasonal cocktails, creating a compelling reason to return. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the charming courtyard.

A moodily lit, distinctive bar with an atmospheric, gothic-inspired vibe and the longest bar in the capital. The cinematic setting offers an escape from the everyday as does the soundtrack of diverse music, with a selection from spiritual jazz to film-nerd abstract soundtracks. Instead of typical bar snacks, indulge in carefully curated plates with charcuterie, breadsticks and cheese as you watch bartenders meticulously perform cocktails, making drinks like an expertly crafted gin and tonic or one of the city’s finest Bloody Marys.

This bar is the second life of a familiar Athenian bar brand, located inside the Lemos commercial centre in Kolonaki, a spot that one could easily pass if they aren’t in the know. Technique and ingredient quality guide the menu, with Martinis, Old Fashioneds, and seasonal signatures taking priority. The shift from its Kolokotroni past comes with a clearer bar-first focus.

The name borrows from Odysseus’s alias, while the space itself focuses on social closeness and interaction. Moroccan tiles frame the room ad a smooth wooden bar with metallic stools contrasts with clean lines. The space is driven by soul and alternative music, with cocktails such as Negronis and Whiskey Sours forming the core of the list. The address on Louizis Riankour positions it clearly as a central neighborhood meeting point.

Expect the unexpected at this rooftop bar. The founder, a world-class cocktail competition winner, makes drinks to be savoured with a twist, while you enjoy mesmerising views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Square. The ‘Odyssey’ menu, inspired by Ulysses’ 10-year journey, is widely considered a very drinkable masterpiece. The bar is renowned for its cocktails, including the ‘A for Athens’, made with mastic and rosemary, and the Apple Martini, made with vodka infused with apples, pears, cinnamon and cloves. The drinks menu also features 20 rum options and 15 tequila labels, offering unique twists on traditional drinks.

At the city’s original vermouth bar, you’ll discover a carefully curated drinks menu. The Negroni, a classic cocktail, gets a unique twist here as you can enjoy a trio of cocktails that trace the history of the drink; try it made with a special blend of vermouth, aged or tomato infused. For another complex flavour experience, don’t miss the Shang Dynasty Cocktail or cocktails like the Magenta Americano, infused with the fragrant notes of dittany, jasmine and rose, or the Old Portraits Changing Cocktail, a blend of whisky, rice syrup and sandalwood bitters.

In an atmosphere that channels ’80s kitsch nostalgia, with an emphasis on bamboo accents, plants and leopard-print chairs, this mainstay bar serves up a range of exotic cocktails that are made with sophisticated care. The Jamaican Sour, a refreshing blend of fresh lime, Campari, a unique bitter made in-house from absinthe, is a good choice, as is the American Smash, made with Tennessee whiskey, lime, orange peel and mint, with a fizzy soda twist. For something more tropical, try the Dominican Margarita, where rum replaces tequila to add depth to the classic. Weekends get lively and dancing may be involved.

Cafe culture, wine bar sensibilities, and pintxo-counter references overlap at this Exarcheia bar on buzzy Fokionos Negri. Vermouth, cider, and wine lead the drinks program, joined by uncomplicated aperitif cocktails designed for long sits, which is what customers here often enjoy. An interesting juxtaposition of Basque traditions and Cretan influences run quietly through the concept.

The uber-elegant Hotel Grande Bretagne’s signature bar, Alexander’s grandiose style and sophisticated drinks reflect the hotel’s historical stature. With a giant and imposing 18th-century tapestry of Alexander the Great behind a long bar, this is a bar for lovers of whiskey and cognac, of which there are extensive choices, and both classic and modern cocktails. Highlights include the perfectly balanced Negroni and the unique “Tears of Chios,” which blends mastic and vodka with Mediterranean grape aromas. Unsurprisingly, the wine and champagne list is top standard.

With a simple, earthy decor reminiscent of a Mexican farmhouse patio, this bar captures the essence of Mexico. It specialises in agave-based spirits, especially tequila and mezcal, with an extensive selection. Highlights include the smooth Paloma and a zesty Margarita. Lively weekend music and enthusiastic bartenders add to the vibrant atmosphere, making it a go-to spot for tequila enthusiasts and cocktail lovers alike.

Cocktails here draw directly on kitchen techniques, including advance preparation, filtration, and aging. Signature serves at Subject of Athens (SOA) share space with classics such as a Dry Martini or a Margarita, executed with precision. DJ sets appear regularly, shaping the flow of the room near Kotzia Square.