42 Bar sits on Kolokotroni Street, a few minutes' walk from Syntagma, behind a door that opens onto a flight of stairs going down. The street-level frontage is a small marble plaque with the number 42 on it - that is the entire signage. Below ground is one of the most decorated cocktail rooms in Athens, on the Asia 50 Best regional list and the Best Bars of the World extended ranking. The bar opened in 2009. The descent, step by step.
The ascent is the same staircase in reverse and the temperature returns to the Athens summer heat in the corridor. 42 is best on a Tuesday or Wednesday between 9pm and midnight; the weekend visit is harder to book and runs at a higher decibel level. Reservations strongly recommended.