Athens has a bar scene that resists simple labels. Café-bars, dive bars, wine dens, cocktail ateliers, rooftop terraces and speakeasies sit side by side. You can find drinks on every corner, on rooftops with Acropolis views, in hidden courtyards, and inside converted warehouses. Many places come alive late; a new generation of bartenders is championing Greek spirits and local ingredients. Here are 17 bars worth seeking out now.
Alexander’s Bar
Located in the grand Hotel Grande Bretagne lobby, Alexander’s is pure old-school elegance: dark wood, marble, a tapestry of Alexander the Great and a small, stately bar. Expect classic cocktails, fine brandies and a clientele of diplomats and hotel guests. Best enjoyed after dark for maximum atmosphere.
The Bar in Front of the Bar
A tiny street-side perch with a frequently changing sign and a daily-evolving cocktail list built on seasonal produce and sustainable practices. Drinks are playful and ingredient-driven. Its sister bar, Rumble in the Jungle, hides behind an unmarked door nearby.
The 7 Jokers
A hard-drinking dive with circus-like murals and a raucous late-night vibe. People come for beers and stay for tequila, dancing and a rock-and-roll energy that runs into the small hours.
Avra (Four Seasons Astir Palace)
Perched on the Athens Riviera, Avra offers Aegean sunset views, glamorous crowds and DJs on weekends. A seasonal cocktail program and seaside setting make it ideal for a summer evening 30 minutes from central Athens.
The Clumsies
Spread over three floors of a 1919 townhouse, The Clumsies feels like a lively house party with private rooms and a buzzing main bar. Renowned for inventive cocktails and an annually refreshed menu, it blends unexpected pairings with inclusive themes.
Epta Martyres
A neo-Athenian wine and tapas spot owned by six friends, Epta Martyres channels warm, Volos-style hospitality. Every round usually comes with complimentary small dishes that might include oysters or gravlax. Candlelit and cozy, it is perfect for sharing; reservations recommended but walk-ins are welcome at the bar.
Line
Housed in a former art gallery, Line is industrial-chic and fermentation-forward. Fruits, vegetables and botanicals are fermented on site to create grape-free wines and other fermented drinks; byproducts are reused and sourdough is baked from leftovers. The bar’s creative, circular approach has won international attention.
Bar Amore
A Roman enoteca–inspired spritzeria in Neos Kosmos focused on low-alcohol Italian classics like Aperol Spritz, Garibaldi and Sbagliato. Simple, delicious nibbles such as cold cuts, anchovies and bottarga accompany retro, aperitivo-style service.
Falaina
Tiny, buzzy and packed, Falaina on Asklipiou is far from spacious. A dozen people inside means patrons spill onto the pavement, perching drinks on parked cars. It helped turn the street into one of Athens’s liveliest nightlife stretches.
Baba au Rum
A long-running favorite since 2009, Baba au Rum blends mid-century modern, tiki and Tropicalia aesthetics with an enormous rum selection and adventurous cocktails. Expect expertly made classics alongside bold signatures that keep Psirri lively.
Eprepe
A lively café-bar on pedestrian Agias Zonis in Kypseli, Eprepe has outside tables that place you in the middle of the street’s energy. Inside, the menu offers twisted classics and seasonal small plates; youthful staff and bold drinks fuel a vibrant atmosphere.
Jazz in Jazz
A sepia-toned jazz-and-whisky bar established in 1978, filled with gramophones, trombones and vinyl. It feels like a moody speakeasy for flawless classic cocktails and single malts. Note that it closes for June through August.
Galaxy
A downtown arcade bar with decor unchanged since 1972, Galaxy is beloved by directors, journalists and cultural figures. Tight leather seating, dry martinis and small snacks create a timeless, intimate hangout favored by local regulars.
Latraac
Part skate-bowl, part garden-shed café and performance space in Kerameikos, Latraac was built by a skater-architect. It hosts DJs, gigs and a skater crowd; try a spiked apricot soda or the Latraac Mule. The ramp is seasonal and crowds shift to nearby rooftops in winter.
Wine is Fine
A minimalist Gallo-Greek wine bar on a sunny pedestrian street offering low-intervention wines and a short bistro menu. Casual and stylish, it attracts guests who linger over glasses while a DJ-leaning soundtrack shapes the mood.
Au Revoir
Founded in 1958 by two brothers, Au Revoir is Athens’s oldest continuously operating bar. A haunt for theater folk and locals across generations, it is smoky, intimate and exacting with its long drinks. The bar closes for July and August but is a winter favorite.
Taratsa by Lokali
A hidden rooftop in Psirri above To Lokali, Taratsa is a lush terrace with a bamboo bar, colored lights, banana plants and agave-forward cocktails and rum punches. It feels like an inner-city oasis and is a popular summer rooftop escape for locals.
Why Athens’ bar scene works
The city blends tradition and experimentation: ancient spirits meet contemporary techniques, communal small plates sit alongside fermentation experiments, and tiny dives coexist with high-glam rooftops. Whether you want a classic martini, a house-made fermented wine, an Aperitivo spritz or a late-night dance floor, Athens rewards exploration. Keep in mind that many places warm up after midnight, so plan your evenings accordingly.