It is a time when there’s a refreshing chill in the air after a long, swelteringly hot summer, and we are slowly but surely transitioning to autumnal clothes but can certainly still enjoy being outdoors for hours on end. This is the season to hang back at wine bar tables on pedestrian streets where we hear the soft (or very loud) strains of music wafting from the bar’s indoor speakers, in neighbourhood squares or in the courtyard of a favourite bar, sipping a cocktail as we engage in people watching and animated chats about the latest cinematic releases and political outcomes.
We know the weather will soon turn chilly and we will have to bung up indoors, so we want to make the most of this mildly tempered season by hanging out with friends outdoors at the lively, trendy, atmospheric and welcoming six bars we have selected for you here.
Lot 51
Strategically placed in Ilisia, a stone’s throw away from landmarks like Michalakopoulou, Vas. Sofias Avenue, Mavili Square, and the Athens Concert Hall, is a place that has somewhat become an ongoing favourite, always buzzing with patrons.
Lot 51 has managed to become both a transient and a staple hub for an evening rendezvous or weekend coffee catch-ups. With the city’s ambient noise humming in the background and sporadic lights casting a warm semi-glow on the pavement, you’ll find yourself sharing summer anecdotes and contemplating autumn resolutions among a relaxed crowd with a delicious drink in hand.
We must note that Lot 51 is also well worth visiting in the daytime and is famed for its remarkable Arena 51 coffee – robust and aromatic, so tantalizing that you’ll find yourself ordering a second cup as soon as the first one is drained. It also serves a good breakfast and brunch, with generous servings of eggs and fluffy pancakes topped with sinful things like chocolate.
Address: 24B Papadiamantopoulou, Athens, Phone: +30 2111155024
Junior Does Wine
Just off Michalakopoulou street, on Maiandrou st in Ilisia, this quaint wine bar has all the right elements to become your favourite haunt this autumn – and indeed, throughout the year.
Junior Does Wine is the brainchild of three good friends: Giorgos Katsaros, Nikos Dousis, and Christos Spyropoulos, who have cultivated a space with a uniquely hospitable and amiable vibe that will win you over from the very first moment you step on their turf.
Outside, on the pavement facing a little park, several tables beckon for relaxed conversations with friends or perhaps the most romantic rendezvous of your life so far. Inside, those eager for the onset of winter vibes can find solace at the beautiful marble bar, with a look reminiscent of a Parisian bistro, in a place with undeniable urban charm.
As is to be expected, the wine list here is nothing short of expansive and impressive, with staff always at hand to assist and guide your choices, based on your personal preferences. At Junior Does Wine, you will find a curated selection of 60 wine labels available by the bottle, with 15 of these also offered by the glass. Complementing the wine is a menu offering a small yet delectably diverse array of quick bites such as the exceptional bruschettas with toppings that change with the seasons, made with freshly-sourced ingredients – the perfect accompaniment to a splendid wine-loving evening.
Address: 5 Maiandrou, Ilisia, Athens, Phone: +30 210 722 2883
Eprepe Bar
In the heart of Kypseli, in the pedestrianised zone of Agias Zonis and a stone’s throw from Fokionos Negri and Patision streets, this chilled bar has been steadily winning over a dedicated and varied local crowd.
The bar’s name, Eprepe (meaning ‘It was necessary’ in Greek), is immediately noticeable thanks to the characteristic and highly Instagrammable neon sign gracing the wall just above the bar. Inside you’ll find a fresh and inviting ambience, complete with tall blue velvet stools and a contemporary industrial vibe.
Eprepe Bar’s creators are the very same team that runs super popular Seychelles in Metaxourgeio, who shared the frustration of not being able to find a bar that served great drinks as well as accompaniments that were more imaginative than the usual nuts, popcorn or crisps. Therefore, they have made tasty and creative bar nibbles a top priority here, which definitely gives you something to look forward to.
Renowned for its discerning selection of wines and tasty cocktails, it goes beyond bar snacks and offers exciting pairing suggestions, bringing forth small dishes laden with savoury mezedes that promise to harmoniously match your drink of choice.
Address: Agias Zonis 1, Kypseli, Athens, Phone: +30 2108644910
Beauty Killed the Beast
In one of Athens’ most animated nightlife-friendly neighbourhoods, this well-frequented haunt magnetises savvy locals and bright-eyed visitors to its outdoor tables, be it for a casual brunch, an indulgent dinner or just a few well mixed drinks.
Having first thrown open its doors in 2017, this place finds its home in a stunning neoclassical building from the 1930s. The remarkable renovation it has undergone, complemented by fresh and contemporary decor and playful vintage furnishings, have unequivocally played a pivotal role in establishing it as a much talked about meeting point.
Visiting here promises a sensory experience. You’ll be charmed by the pedestrian walkway that lies at its forefront, an ideal spot for people-watching as you immerse yourself in the ambience of one of Athens’ most colourful places. Carefully scan the sophisticated cocktail list, which caters to a wide array of tastes, irand try some bites from the diverse and tempting food menu, as there is a myriad of dining options, from refreshing salads to swift servings of tacos, pizzas, and pastas.
Address: 14 Paramythias Street, Kerameikos, Athens, Phone: +30 210 5240117
Line Athens
Currently one of the most trendy venues in Athens, Line in Kato Petralona boasts a list of much talked about cocktails. Yet, it is not just its beverages that draw people here; the venue itself, with a minimalistic and disarmingly charming aesthetic, is where the Zoumboulaki gallery once lived. Moreover, it offers the rare chance to taste a unique grape-less wine, made from fermented fruits without any additional ingredients, as well as a nomadic brewed beer. The food also stands out, offering an exceptional dining experience curated under the expert guidance of Chef Pavlos Kyriakis.
In short, it is entirely understandable that this bar, with its industrial-themed interior and a sheltered inner courtyard, is always bustling with patrons eager to enjoy what it has to offer. So enjoy a walk to Kato Petralona and see it for yourself.
Address: Agathodaimonos 37 and Orestou, Kato Petralona. Phone: +30 210 3421311
Galaxy
Beloved, classic and sophisticated, Galaxy is not just another bar in the heart of Athens. It’s built a reputation as an artistic haunt, a steadfast stop either before or after a theatre evening, the ideal choice for a first date, or the perfect spot to enjoy a quick coffee during a break.
You will find it in the arcade at 10 Stadiou Street, or more precisely, in the arcade directly opposite the statue of Kolokotronis – a landmark which some like to believe doesn’t point towards the city but guides people towards Galaxy. Fine whisky lovers find great solace here, as the bar serves a great array of quality labels. Sit back and peruse photos of eminent writers such as Odysseas Elytis, Giorgos Seferis and Ernest Hemingway, heroes of Galaxy’s owners and regulars alike.
Many might suggest that Galaxy is essentially a winter venue, a haven for those evenings when the cold truly sets in and the search begins for a warm, atmospheric hideaway. Yet, the truth remains that the experience at Galaxy, with its leather seats at the bar, small dishes accompanied by graviera cheese and spicy mustard, or toasted bread served with butter, constitutes a ritual that transcends seasons and time. In fact, the onset of autumn provides an additional incentive to visit.
Address: 10 Stadiou Street, Athens, Phone: +30 2103227733
