The pitch: an editor's read on CV Distiller
CV Distiller sits at Empedokleous 5 in Pagrati, Evangelismos metro. The room is a Pagrati cocktail bar run on a tight programme, and the Athens English-language press has covered the bar repeatedly across 2023 and 2024.
This is the bar for a drinker who wants Pagrati after dark without a Plaka tourist tax. Regulars on r/Athens consistently flag the room in nightlife threads, and the programme rewards a reservation on weekend nights and a walk-in on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The room: a closer read
The room is two small spaces over an open bar: a counter that seats seven and a back lounge with three tables. The bartender's own distillation kit is on display behind the counter. Athens hospitality press has covered the team's competition record for several years, and the bar is consistently flagged as Pagrati's technical anchor next to the neighbourhood-cafe style of Bel Ray two doors down.
Pagrati's technical anchor on the Empedokleous strip.
What to order, and what to skip
The list is short and the bar runs it strictly. Order from the signatures.
Skip ordering off-menu when the room is full. The list is short by design and the team works through tickets in order.
The crowd: who shows up, and when
The crowd is Athens cocktail-industry regulars before 10pm and serious drinkers thereafter. Regulars on r/Athens flag CV Distiller as the bar to book if a guest cares about technique, and the bar to skip if a casual wine pour is the goal. The room fills slowly and stays full until close.
What regulars say
- “The bartenders are competing in international finals. It shows in every drink.” (r/Athens nightlife thread, 2024)
- “Worth the cost. Worth the booking call.” (Google Maps review, February 2025)
- “Don't show up without a reservation on a Saturday.” (Google Maps review, October 2025)
- “Order the smoked mastiha and stop reading the menu.” (Athens Insider reader comment)
Who it is for
- Cocktail enthusiasts visiting Athens who want a technique-led room outside the centre.
- Pagrati locals who want a serious follow-up to a Bel Ray pavement drink.
- Industry visitors looking to talk shop with one of the city's most-decorated teams.
- Avoid if a relaxed neighbourhood vibe is the goal. Bel Ray covers that two doors down.