Athens has never been short on places to drink well, but 2025 has raised the stakes. From Kypseli’s vintage-glam hideaways to Ilisia’s polished cocktail counters and Exarchia’s neon-lit haunts, the city’s bartenders are experimenting with flavor, design, and mood in ways that feel both thrillingly new and effortlessly timeless.
Recently, Athens claimed the title of World’s Best City for Nightlife in Monocle magazine’s 18th annual Quality of Life Survey, a nod to its round-the-clock energy and creative reinvention of urban spaces.
Whether you’re here for an icy, precision-poured Martini, a spritz kissed with lemon and cacao, or a glass of natural wine spinning to the crackle of vinyl, these 10 new bars capture the capital’s evolving spirit—equal parts creative, sociable, and irresistibly fun.
01
Telion
A historic 1960s pastry shop reborn as a jewel-box bar with a cheeky “elevator door” entrance and obsessive attention to detail—vintage glassware, warm wood, lush sound. Drinks skew precise: chilled Martinis (a refined 50/50 riff with fino sherry), a Negroni kissed with apricot, and a classic-first list engineered for quiet stirring rather than shaker theatrics. Design by Mariette Sans-Rival sets a golden glow; bar program by Popi Sevastou keeps things elegant and exacting. The crowd is Kypseli locals, music heads, and cocktail nerds settling in for “one more.”
Ithakis 40, Kypseli
02
Subject of Athens (SOA)
Just above Kotzia Square, SOA is a compact, mood-lit lab from Konstantinos Vasilakopoulos and Dimitris Roussos. Expect culinary techniques in the glass—pre-batched, clarified, or “cooked” cocktails like a blue-cheese-aromatic Martini, alongside jalapeño-bright Margaritas and razor-clean classics. The soundtrack shifts from low-slung funk to clubby highs as after-work crews hand the bar to night owls. Room is intimate, stainless-steel gleam meeting soft shadow; service is sharp yet playful. Opened in early 2025, it’s the downtown bar pushing flavor boundaries without losing the fun.
Georgiou Stavrou 2–4, Omonia
03
Quinn’s
Ilisia’s grown-up cocktail den from scene legend Ilias Marinakis feels instant-classic: bolt-down stools, a deep blue palette, sturdy wooden bar, and a Hieronymus Bosch triptych presiding over immaculate glassware. Martinis star—icy, crystalline, dialed to your preference—backed by a tight list of honed standards served with quiet swagger. Outside, bistro tables catch the neighborhood breeze; inside, the mood is confident and unhurried. Opened spring 2025 and already a local fixation for pre- and post-dinner rounds.
Meandrou 7, Ilisia
04
Tsimpouri
A little beauty on Meandrou’s rising mini-strip: white-marble-and-wood bar, mosaic floor, and those handsome “anti-explosive” lamps that glow just right. The pitch is simple—great neighborhood bar—delivered with value and care. Short signature list (try Ginger Pergamondo, Amalfi Collection, or a snappy Sherry Mule), plus textbook classics poured with respect. Music leans funky and rockish; the vibe is locals who “just dropped in for one” and stayed for three. Opened late April 2025
Meandrou 9, Ilisia
05
Ohana Spritz Bar
Opened May 2025, this spritzeria spun out of Kazakos Drink Bank, one of Athens’ storied bottle shops. By day: coffee and pastries; by late afternoon: a parade of spritz variations from classic Aperol to lemon-spiced and cacao-bitter twists, plus Hugo with prosecco and elderflower. Pair with focaccia, pizzas, and cheerful bagels (that finocchiona number hits). The room pops with bottle-shop energy; the crowd is Kypseli’s sun-chasing set warming up their evening with bubbles.
Patision 110, Kypseli
06
Hotel Eternite
No rooms—just a cleverly named wine & spirits bar on a Kypseli corner, with vinyl shelves you’re invited to browse and a taste for aperitivo-leaning cocktails. Food runs comfort-savory—tartare, ceviche, hot dogs with personality—served under a retro-theatrical glow. Inside, brushed steel meets warm lighting; outside, sidewalk tables pull in the neighborhood. It’s become a meet-me-there anchor for this creative district.
Paxon 34 & Kaukasou 8, Kypseli
07
Kennedy Vins
A listening-bar love letter to natural wine by Chris Kontos and friends—Parisian attitude, zero-sulphite bottles, and an audiophile system that gets the room humming at low volume. The list roams widely through new-wave Europe; snacks are simple and good. The downtown crowd is fashion folk, artists, expats, and curious drinkers comparing notes between pours. Doors opened recently and the word spread fast: Nikiou Street has a new ritual.
Nikiou 9, Centre
08
Bonnot
Exarchia’s neon beacon where hospitality is silky and the classics hit hard: bracing, glass-frosted Martinis; razor-bubbled Gin & Tonics; and a playful Popstar (a bright, pop-spirit riff on the famous passion-fruit number). A mural nodding to the Belle Époque’s bande à Bonnot adds story; the room balances edge and polish. It’s a true go-to—date nights at the bar, friends debriefing on stools, and bartenders who read the room.
Emmanouil Benaki 57, Exarchia
09
Ham on Rye
From veteran bartender Markos Priftis, this Exarchia hideaway opened in 2024 delivers the comfort of a “proper bar”: crystal-clear Martinis with olives on the side, a sturdy Martinez, and zero-waste flourishes (think citrus oils instead of peels). Backbar selections invite neat pours; mornings bring specialty coffee and a few tidy snacks. The space is compact, warm, and unpretentious—perfect for easing into the night or finding your second wind.
Kleisovis 12, Exarchia
10
Bar Ideal / Not in Athens
A rhythmic sanctuary where hi-fi sound meets smartly stirred spirits under a dimly lit, effortlessly cool vibe. With no reservations—just walk-in magic—you slide right into grooves that pulse alongside inventive cocktails: think reinterpretations of timeless classics wrapped in sharp, modern flair. DJs spin vinyl or warm electronic textures while barkeeps lean into precision and playful balance. The crowd? City-savvy night-seekers chasing connection through sound and sip, drawn instantly by the bar’s magnetic groove. Lights turn low, music stays crisp, and time almost slows—5:30 pm to 2:00 am were made for nights like this.
Kiafas 8, Exarcheia
