The best bars in Athens
Mavros Gatos
42 Koletti Str., Exarchia, Athens, Τ. 210 3800518
By Katerina Rigou, Photos: Eleanna Kourkoulopoulou
VIRAL
An atmospheric street bar which already counts seven years of presence amongst the favorite hangouts in Exarcheia, and equivalent years of success maintaining a consistent style and philosophy. Although open since early in the morning for fine coffee, particularly at its outdoor seats on the walkway, its real trump card is its evening entertainment. With obvious American influences, so much in its design as well as its music, Mavros Gatos has developed fans who have turned it into their regular meeting point. Apart from its unique music choices, mainly of the previous decades, other impressive elements are the DJs choices from classic rock to blues, jazz, ’80s and ’90s, the friendly atmosphere, the large bright photograph of Chicago, the imposing 12- eter long bar, the huge mirror on the background under the hanging lamps reminiscent of the prohibition era, as well as the delicious drinks and cocktails from its updated cellar. Daily 10:00-as late as it gets.
Ηighlight
The amazing themed music events and parties with scheduled those every Wednesday.
Must try
From its signature cocktail list, curated by Panos Kouboulis, try the Crujiente de Manzana. A sweet and sour combination of premium Zubrowka with apple, fresh lime juice, cinnamon and Aigina pistachio flavors and mousse from matured mango (photo).
Tramp
36 Voutadon Str. & Triptolemou Str., Gazi, Athens, Τ. 210 3416345
By Katerina Rigou, Photos: Kostas Kapareliotis
Housed in a comfortable high-ceiling space of minimal and industrial aesthetic, right next to Kerameikos metro station, welcomes us every morning with friendly attitude for 6 years now for fine portioli coffee and more. Later, its lounge atmosphere turns into a fun environment for drinks, entertainment and socializing around an imposing bar, when the day ends. Tramp favors good cocktails and good music, a fact proven by its signature and classic cocktail list (not missing the customized options). Its bar food menu curated by Giannis Natsis, will soon become updated with more summer flavors and aromas! Try the Cucumber fusion with gin, lime juice, cucumber and grapefruit juice and the Cirorsky with ciroc votka, lime juice, sugar and grapefruit, but also the must-try in-house Pina Colada version with rum, pineapple puree, sugar syrup and 2 bar spoons of yogurt. On the other hand, for the fans of straight drinks the cellar is fully updated with premium labels. The second part, that of music, is a separate chapter given special attention with different Djs, regular events with DJ sets, lives and party standards or not with radio producers and extraordinary happenings. There is more… The exceptional roof for lounging face to face with the city center and the Acropolis. At sunset it turns into a cocktail bar with lounge rhythms and a setting ideal for summer relaxation. Summer period: Daily 11:00-as late as it gets. Winter period: Wed.-Sun. 14:00-as late as it gets.
Must taste
Combine your drink with the delicious Italian style pizza with fresh ingredients, baked on the stone.
Drunk Sinatra
16 Thiseos Str., Syntagma, Athens, T. 210 3313733
Be part of a happy world!
The classic value of Drunk Sinatra joins forces with the newly arrived fun rehab for unforgettable nights and experiences in the most erotic arcade at the city center of athens!
By Katerina Rigou, Photos: Maria Chatziioanidou
Drunk Sinatra and Rehab in the arcade of Thiseos street forming a unique microcosm which could have been created by owners such as Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse respectively, definitely manage to transfer you to other eras and places filling you with emotions! Drunk Sinatra and Rehab are more than just two beautiful fun hangouts. It all started on May 2012, when Frankie passed by to get a drink and so many gathered around him that they instantly formed a gigantic love gathering. Day after day and hour after hour… the story continues as follows: the senses take over. Here you come to dance, to fall in love with the music you listen to, to feel. Those of you, who had the chance to experience it, know it well enough. It’s all about the socializing, the drinks and cocktails, the joy. All have been carefully placed: the vintage space which is more of a new aesthetic proposal, the carefully chosen illumination and the items of a previous era, the exemplary bar with the endless choices of hip labels, the list of in house cocktails and the music.
This is how Drunk Sinatra was introduced to the crowd and the guests of Athens, this is why it became loved and this is how it continues to transform the arcade where it is located into a rather atmospheric one, in one more way… by creating Rehab! Launched only a year ago, the “sibling” of Drunk Sinatra carries the name and concept by the homonymous song of Amy Winehouse. Retro objects, vintage environment, hip illumination, a fish tank, colors, a space similar to the one of Drunk Sinatra but at the same time very different. Under the motto “Frankie-goes-2-Rehab”, the two places essentially become one and the two contrasting concept styles coexist in an ideal way. Daily 10:00-04:00, Fri. & Sat. 10:00-06:00
Highlight
We were impressed by the cocktail list with signature choices (served in both
stores). Its guaranteed flavors, combinations and aromas make it insuperable! Great options
the #under my skin, the homonymous #Sinatra, the #The lady & a tramp and so many more!
Their names hide whole stories, as they are inspired by songs of Frank and Amy…
Bartesera_ EXOTIC EXPERIENCE
A team’s SUCCESS!
Our favorite Bartesera welcomes us inside Praxitelous Arcade, renewed, proving that you can
take success for granted when you do team work and you have clear orientation!
By Katerina Rigou, Photo Eleanna Kourkoulopoulou
Bartesera is one of the first bars to open in the city center, one of the first multipurpose art centers and one of the first which turned Kolokotroni Street into a gathering spot. A hospitable all day venue, with unique character through premium services, arty attitude and extraordinary decoration. Maintains its strong presence within Praxitelous Arcade for 12 years now but it continues to develop further and remains innovative and reintroduces itself to us in relation to its profile, its bar and its food. The revamped setting constitutes a direct proof of this, as well as the addition of the bar in the outdoor garden, the changes in the lighting, the plants, the warm colors, the wood and the slide opening glazed roof… the cozy space for private moments, socializing on the background of an urban exotica scenery, which takes you on a journey although in the heart of the city! Beside these, its success is based are the personalized services and its team. Its owners, themselves active and the powerful cooperation they have built with experts, place the Bartesera on top. Mikaela Tsikoudaki, the barista takes care of coffee using fine choices such as speciality blends, while the bar management and the updated seasonal cocktail list with 12 choices (with urban exotica being its trademark, as perfect gin tonic) rely on Alexandros Dontas. Dontas is also responsible for the aperitivo list offering 8 options to those who want to enjoy a fantastic early cocktail or choose a drink from the bar which is more than updated and hip. Moreover, the refined eclectic culinary suggestions of the menu curated by the talented chef Chrysa Koutsampasoglou could not be missing from their services. Its updated card, mainly based on fine Greek ingredients, is oriented towards the Mediterranean cuisine. We strongly recommend the delicious Italy style pizza, the bruschettas, the sausage and cheese platters and the sweets.On top of these, there is the music… travelling us through the world! Its urban exotic aesthetic is completed by a befitting music varying from mainstream sounds to electronic, funky and jazz sounds, which consist the top choices of Djs!
INFO
25 Kolokotroni Str., Athens, Daily 10:00-02:00/Thurs. until 03:00 | Fri. & Sat. until 04:00
The Trap
10 Othonos Str., Syntagma, Athens, Τ. 210 3215561, www.thetrap.gr
10 REASONS TO GET TRAPPED!
At privileged location in an arcade hidden downtown, The Trap is an American style bar-French bistro aiming to “trap” us in its 55 sq.m. and amaze us with its classy freshness.
1. The atmospheric arcade, a few steps away from Syntagma square ideal for business meetings and discreet dates.
2. The incomparable aesthetic with a retro setting resembling Parisian bistro. Center of attention undoubtedly becomes the impressive bronze bar and the drawn plaster ceilings.
3. The outdoor space within the arcade is a mystique oasis in the heart of Athens, away from the city buzz, ideal for relaxing all-year round.
4. The delicate and healthy beverages, from warm with coconut to cold tea with ginger.
5. The international-oriented menu favoring the refined Greek ingredients offering vegan options, perfect for a light lunch break or a casual dinner.
6. The Sunday brunch (13:00-19:00) which we enjoy while listening to live music from bands (16:00- 20:00).
7. The funky, jazz, soul and disco house music choices of the Djs keep us here until late.
8. The special happenings often hosted here such as street food parties, wine and oyster nights and music events with guest bartenders from various parts of the world.
9. The expert team headed by the awardwinning bartender Giannis Samaras guarantees high quality service and irresistible cocktails.
10. Its motto which says it all: “A trap is only a trap if you don’t know about it. If you know about it, it’s a challenge!”
info
Daily 09:00-02:00, Fri. & Sat. until 03:00
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