Athens has, in the past decade, become Europe's surprise cocktail capital. The Clumsies sits on every World 50 list. Baba au Rum is the longest-running serious cocktail bar in the country. The 10 below show why Athens deserves the airfare. Most are within walking distance of Syntagma Square.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
Read the world list
The 10 best cocktail bars in Athens
01 · Athens
Praxitelous
$$
Two floors · All-day
Vassilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis's flagship. Every annual list has them in the top 10.
Order: Charcoal Sour
02 · Athens
Klafthmonos
$$
Rum-led · Casual
Thanos Prunarus's room — the bar that started Athens's cocktail revolution in 2009.
Order: A daiquiri made with their reserve agricole rum
03 · Athens
Kolokotroni
$$
Speakeasy · Reservations
Through an unmarked door near Syntagma. 42-seat cocktail bar. Quieter than The Clumsies; technique-focused.
Order: Bartender's choice from the seasonal menu
04 · Athens
Kolokotroni
$$
Christmas-themed
Christmas-themed bar, year-round. Lights, ornaments, snowflakes — and surprisingly serious cocktails.
Order: A holiday-spice spec
05 · Athens
Hilton
$$$
Hotel rooftop · 1972
On top of the Hilton Athens. Direct view of the Acropolis. The Athenian hotel-bar standard.
Order: A martini with the Acropolis view
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06 · Athens
Plaka
$$
Speakeasy · Modern
Modern Plaka speakeasy. Reservations only. Modern Greek-ingredient cocktail program.
Order: A drink built around mastiha
07 · Athens
Pangrati
$$
Cocktails + small plates
Pangrati neighbourhood favourite. Cocktails paired with Greek small plates.
Order: A signature with their house-made Greek herb infusion
08 · Athens
Pangrati
$
Casual · Late-night
Pangrati casual cocktail bar. Late hours, cheap by Athens standards, the after-Clumsies destination.
Order: A whisky highball at 3 AM
09 · Athens
Plaka
$$
Wine + cocktails
Hybrid wine and cocktail bar in Plaka. Greek-only wine list, classic cocktails done seriously.
Order: A glass of assyrtiko + a stirred cocktail
10 · Athens
Kolonaki
$$$
Speakeasy · Polished
Kolonaki speakeasy. Polished service, classics-led menu, the formal counterpoint to The Clumsies.
Order: A perfect Manhattan
More Athens cocktail barsThe full Athens cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
Why Athens cocktailing matters
Greek herbs, fruits, and local spirits (mastiha, ouzo, tsipouro) are essential to understanding Athens cocktailing. The Clumsies and Baba au Rum lead on this front. The 10 above are the rooms doing serious work. Most peak after midnight; locals don't dine before 10 PM.
