5 Best Nightlife in Athens, Greece

Just two minutes walk from Kolonaki Square, on the buzzy Tsakalof street packed with bars, this sleek, Prohibition-era-themed bar is always kicking with a mixed crowd sipping excellently mixed cocktails. Chesterfield-style sofas, high padded stools, and elaborately tiled floors as well as a vibrant soundtrack keep customers here until the late hours.

Dark, moody, and very atmospheric, with a long bar lined with leather stools upon which the city's hip and glamorous people sip their cocktails, this newish spot can easily become a favorite hangout. Drinks are accompanied by small cold cut meze instead of the usual bowl of nuts, and cocktails are expertly crafted. Music is very important to both the owners and customers here, and every Wednesday and Sunday DJs play vinyl-record sessions, while on other nights you'll hear everything from German B-movie soundtracks to spiritual jazz. To experience the bar in its full stylish glory, head here between 6–8 pm and sprawl out. After that it gets extremely busy on most nights.

Located between Syntagma and Psirri, this innovative bar-restaurant is among the most popular in Athens and its barmen/owners have received several global mixology awards. The impressively decorated, multilevel venue even has a private room (for 10, which must be prebooked), where clients can order bespoke drinks. Despite its appeal to people of all ages and styles, The Clumsies is generally unpretentious, and the unique cocktails (there's a degustation menu that offers the chance of tasting four to five smaller versions) are top quality. Don't expect to find somewhere to sit on a weekend night.

An all-day bar that's always bouncing at night, Tralala is especially charming for its variety in music choices, which makes it open to all kinds of punters, and for its happy hour cocktail prices on Saturday night. It also hosts parties throughout the year, the most amusing possibly being the back-to-school night when customers arrive dressed as kids. There are simple chairs and tables and a mosaic tiled floor, all of which contribute to a playful, laid back and cozy vibe.