With some of the best internationally-awarded bars, from sophisticated and elegant to alternative and bohemian, the capital of Greece is not only a cultural destination with magnificent historic spots, but also a lively hub with a buzzing bar scene. Here’s a list of our top 10 bars in Athens, carefully selected for their concept, top-quality drinks, and remarkable locations.
A For Athens
The top floor of the A for Athens boutique hotel is one of Athens’ most popular rooftop café-bars among locals, with unobstructed, stunning views of the rock of Acropolis, the buzzing square of Monastiraki, the postcard-pretty Plaka neighborhood, and other scenic spots in the city. Experience memorable moments from the imaginative brunch and coffee menu or enjoy a classic drink or signature A for Athens cocktail.
Miaouli 2, Athina 105 54, Tel: +30 21 0324 4244
Photo Credits A for Athens
Baba Au Rum
This is one of the first bars in Athens that truly embraced cocktail culture, especially one based on rum in a completely different way, Baba Au Rum offers a unique taste experience with drinks that range from 19th-century classics to more unique concoctions. Enjoy cocktails made with premium spirits, housemade syrups, and other carefully selected ingredients. The eclectic yet stylish atmosphere features a welcoming vibe and 50s and 60s furniture.
Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60, Tel: +30 21 1710 9140
Brettos Bar Plaka
Decorated with hundreds of colorfully-lit bottles, Brettos Bar is said to be the second oldest bar and distillery in Europe, and the oldest in Athens. Located in the city’s most charming neighborhood of Plaka, in a small alley of historic Athens, Brettos is a mecca for classic liquors, brandies, and ouzo – all crafted using old family recipes. Discover this old-fashioned distillery bar with its cozy atmosphere and tunes coming from an analog radio.
Kidathineon 41, Athina 105 58, Tel: +30 21 0323 2110
CV Distiller
You might be surprised when you see the extensive variety of whiskeys, rums and other spirits that CV Distiller serves. Its dark walls, warm atmosphere, and soundtrack of laid back jazz and soul music make CV Distiller an elegant option for drinks. Open from noon, it is an ideal destination for coffee, drinks, and snacks any time of day. If you want to a more private experience, visit the cellar that is open as a private tasting room with its own bar.
115 28, Chatzigianni Mexi 7, Athina 115 28, Tel: +30 21 0723 1767
Photo credits CV Distiller
The Clumsies
Being an all-day cocktail bar, The Clumsies is the perfect spot to enjoy everything from excellent espresso coffee and delicious brunch in the morning, to amazing Greek food and cutting-edge cocktails later in the day and into the evening. Located in the Athens Commercial Triangle District, The Clumsies is consistently ranked among the world’s best bars – and it’s not hard to see why as soon as you order a drink.
Praxitelous 30, Athina 105 61, Tel: +30 21 0323 2682
Bohemian bourgeois bar
Located in Koukaki, Athens’ hippest neighbourhood, Bohemian Bourgeois bar (mostly known as BoBo) is absolutely one of the best wine bars in the city. Decked out in a minimalistic Art Deco-style with enormous glass windows, handmade furniture, and a chill-out atmosphere, BoBo provides an extensive list of Greek wines, cocktails and spirits. Pair your wine with light dishes such as organic salads, smoked Cretan ham, and other deli platters.
Anastasiou Zinni 36, Athina 117 41, Tel: +30 21 0924 4244
Discover the unique charm of The Bar in Front of the Bar, an innovative streetside cocktail haven on Petraki Street in central Athens. Founded by cocktail enthusiasts Alexandros Tselepis, Konstantinos Theodorakopoulos, and Simeon Papanikolaou, this unconventional spot offers a refreshingly quirky experience. With no indoor seating, the focus is on its lively patio, where playful, ever-changing messages such as “We Serve Humans Too” and “Something To Talk To Your Therapist About” add to the bar’s distinctive flair. Emphasizing sustainability, The Bar in Front of the Bar features a daily rotating selection of cocktails crafted with a zero-waste approach. For a hidden gem, check out the speakeasy located behind it—Rumble in the Jungle, also run by this inventive team.
Couleur Locale
A hidden gem in the heart of historic Athens, Couleur Locale is an all-day bar-restaurant nestled in a narrow back alley where an elevator takes you to the 3rd-floor terrace with impressive views of the Acropolis. A favorite spot for Athenians, Couleur Locale offers chill coffee moments during the day, and vibrant cocktail evenings with louder music at night.
Normanou 3, Athina 105 55, Tel: +30 21 6700 4917
Tiki Bar
A stone’s throw from the Acropolis Museum, Tiki Bar is one of the most legendary bars of Athens. Well-known for its genuine tropical vibes (complete with palm trees indoors) and its laid-back mood, Tiki bar serves a top-notch cocktail menu by some of the most famous bartenders and mixologists in the city, accompanied with Polynesian-inspired snacks. Often, live gigs and other events take place here.
Falirou 15, Athina 117 42, Tel: +30 21 0923 6908
Materia Prima wine bistro
In the Materia Prima cellar you can explore over 500 wine labels from every known or emerging wine region in the world. The food menu combines seasonal products of high quality and nutritional value with fresh Mediterranean recipes thought up and implemented by our chefs to match our wine. It also includes a special and unique list of cheeses from around the world. Materia Prima’s menu changes regularly based on the imagination of its chefs and the right ingredients.
Falirou 68, Athina 117 41, Tel: +30 21 0924 5935