These days we love to do something out of the ordinary. We want to dress more unusually, eat more sweets, eat rich food, drink nice drinks.
In the evening hours, when everything becomes even more beautiful and atmospheric, Athens invites us to bars with festive cocktails, rare spirits, fun music and delicious bar food.
CV Distiller for 900 whiskeys
There are 900 whiskeys in the CV Distiller Photo: Angelos Yotopoulos
Photo: Angelos Yotopoulos
Operating in Ilysia since 2012, CV Distiller is the city’s most modern whiskey bar in an impressive space with a semi-circular bar and an underground “hidden” cellar. The menu begins with whiskey from distilleries that are no longer in operation, which gives them an element of collectibility, rarity and inaccessibility. A glass of Port Ellen whiskey, from the legendary Scottish distillery operating from 1825-1983, can cost as much as 400 euros, but the experience, especially for fans, is unique. Luckily, we find another 900 labels on the menu from the main producing countries, with Scotland having the largest selection, followed by Ireland, America and Japan. These days it serves cocktails from a new menu based on but not limited to whiskey and inspired by cult Hollywood movies. We already love this Rob Roy variation with Campari jelly. There are also a few regular dishes here, from burgers and pizza to tempura prawns and arancini with mozzarella.
Alexandrino dressed in festive clothes
The Parisian-style café-bistro in Exarchia opened in 2006 and immediately became a favorite with the local public. People love jazz music, uniformed bartenders, red and black dominating décor, and, of course, old-fashioned cocktails. We take a dry martini or one of six gin and tonic options and enjoy it with thoughtful and delicious bar food: mushroom bruschetta with gruyere and sun-dried tomatoes, grilled vegetable sandwich with goat cheese, cool salad with salmon, cherry tomatoes and Domokou katsu. M.P.
Emmanouil Benaki 69A, Athina 106 81, T/210-38.10.117
Jazz in Jazz: Just because
Photo: Sofia Papastrati
Photo: Sofia Papastrati
Costas Spanos opened a bar in Kolonaki in 1994. He deliberately chose a hidden alley so that no one would think to look for him. Vangelis Spanos, his nephew, almost grew up here. From childhood, he helped his uncle in the store, and when he, at some point, offered him to become his owner, he happily agreed. For the last 12 years, he has been successfully managing it, continuing the traditions. Jazz in Jazz plays almost exclusively jazz music, you rarely hear blues or classical, and on some special nights they even put on a gramophone. In their cellar you will find about 150 whiskey labels from all over the world, and the Old Fashioned cocktail takes pride of place. The bar opens after 7pm and it fills up almost every day with people of all ages – you’ll see regulars from 18 to 85, as well as tourists who read about the place in a guide book. This is one of our favorite bars in Kolonaki and possibly all of Athens. M.P.
Dinokratous 4, Athina 106 75 T/ 210-72.25.2460
Low Profile: whiskey bar in the gallery
Whether you choose it as a stopover between shopping or as a gala evening, you will have a great time in low profile. You will relax and drink good drinks, especially whiskey. We choose whiskeys as they have an interesting selection of blended and malt whiskeys from Scotland, Ireland and a small selection of Asian whiskeys, mostly from Japan. It’s open from 11:00 am, as the bartender told us: “We don’t usually get asked for whiskey this early, but anyone can order.” In the store you can see people talking over a glass of whiskey without holding a mobile phone (there is no signal at all in the store) – an image from almost another era that we really like. On their menu we found whiskey cocktails such as Old Fashioned and a few dishes such as Kalamaria pizza with sundried tomatoes, Florina peppers and anchovies, as well as bruschetta with provolone and pastrami, which we could try along with our drink.
Voulis 7, Athina 105 62, Syntagma, T/213-03.52.114
Baba αu rum: evening and festive cocktails
For many years now Baba au Rum takes its rightful place in the ranking of the 50 best bars in the world and with its furniture in the style of the 50s and 60s, old mosaics and various cute details here and there creates a fun retro vibes, has a decent collection of rum on its shelves and a number of excellent cocktails in your “wine” card. Classic and ever-popular Spicy Baba includes the herbal/aromatic Les Fleurs du Mal inspired by Baudelaire’s “Flowers of Evil”, the special layered Buccaneer’s Negroni with aged rum and all the others recommended by Thanos Prounarus and his team. You’ll also find the new Basquiat Daisy, which pairs homemade raspberry wine, lemon, Lillet Rouge and jasmine and citrus-flavored gin – a tantalizing little teaser for the next list. Since these days they open at 2:00 pm, this is a good opportunity to start celebrating early. And then come to their usual New Year’s Eve party (from 5 to 10 p.m.). A.S.
Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60 Athens, T/ 211-71.09.140
Galaxy, with classic charm
Photo: Angelos Yotopoulos
Photo: Angelos Yotopoulos
At the city’s most classic establishment, orders are prepared quickly, customers lean against the iconic leather-covered bar, and the music plays low so as not to interfere with conversation and analysis. Mr. Yiannis Alabanos welcomes, greets and takes care of customers: the coaster is here, the glass is a little further away, everything is in its place. Opened in 1972, the bar-institute always has a warm atmosphere. WP
Stadiou 10, Athina 105 62, T/210-32.27.733
At the Barreldier for a cocktail from … a barrel
Here, both at the bar and at tables in the arcade and on the sidewalk, I drank countless cocktails, classic or with a twist. Whenever I move around the center, I always make a stop here. But most of all, I love the bittersweet aged Negroni (with their own vermouth and bitters), which waits patiently in its cask until you ask for it, and a little later it will appear in front of you, decorated with a kumquat that looks very old. And Manhattan is very good too, with the deep flavor and complexity that comes from being in a barrel, and Mario Basso and his team age for four months in glass jars of Boulevardier with quince and white Negroni with green apple – whole fruit, as is sometimes done. in eaux de vie. Since the bar is open in the morning, you can comfortably start drinking early. The little list they bring you along with the list hiding the holiday trio acts as an indirect clue: they have Mistletoe Kiss with gin, orange liqueur, tangerine and lemon juice and lemongrass; White Grinch with rum with cocoa liqueur, almond milk and Aquafaba; and a hot Glühwein with red wine, Metaxa, apricot brandy and essential spices. A.S.
Voulis 7, Athina 105 62, Syntagma, T/210-32.54.711
At 56 for another whiskey
Photo: Sofia Papastrati
Photo: Sofia Papastrati
Climbing the stairs to Plutarch, you will see him on the right, in the basement of a residential building. Regulars of all stripes drink at the round tables, but if you choose, the atmosphere will help you imagine that you are surrounded by gangsters from a black and white movie. Lean against the edge of the bar – it’s lined with leather cushions, as any self-respecting “restaurant” of its kind should be – and let Mr. Panagiotis help you choose your whisky. Smokey or smokeless? Fragrant, sweet, heavy? His large collection includes hard-to-find malts (several from smaller distilleries), Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskeys, as well as bourbons. There is no meze here. They serve the eye. And a generous eye. WP
Ploutarchou 56, Athina 106 76, T/210-72.31.424
In “Duende” by candlelight
Photo: Angelos Yotopoulos
Alexandros Bistikas sailed the seas as a captain for many years, until in the 1990s he decided to “moor” right under the Acropolis. So he created Duende, a specialty bar that combines the virtues of classic and romantic bistro. The audience here is diverse, of all ages, and many of them are theatergoers who prefer this place for a night out after the show, as food is served until late in the evening. Alexandre’s wife Wren is in charge of the kitchen and prepares simple, well-prepared old-school meals: her signature dish is spaghetti with minced meat. When it’s late, we’re hungry and we want to drink brandy or whiskey by candlelight, we go to Cirayon Lane.
Tzireon 2, Athina 117 42, T/210-92.47.069
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