Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
10
Ginger Ale
LIVE MUSIC, BAR
Dip back in time to a '50s veneered coffee shop-cum-rocking nightspot. Sip espresso by
day and catch a rotating line-up of live acts by night.
(
210 330 1246;
http://ginger-ale.gr
;
Themis-
tokleous 80, Exarhia;
Omonia)
Understand
Greek Music Scene
Athens has a thriving live-music scene in winter, when you can hear the gamut of Greek music, from the popular
soulful Greek blues known as
rembetika
to traditional folk music, ethnic jazz, and even Greek rock, rap and hip
hop. Athens' many intimate winter venues (most only operate between October and April) also host an eclectic
range of touring indie rock, jazz and international artists. In summer, live music is confined to festivals and out-
door concerts by local artists and touring acts.
The mainstays of Athenian nightlife are the
bouzoukia
, glitzy and expensive cabaret-style venues (often re-
ferred to as
skyladika
- dog houses - because of the crooning singers), where women dancing the sinewy
tsifteteli
(belly dance) are showered with expensive trays of carnations and revellers party until sunrise.
Popular Greek artists include consummate mainstream performers such as Haris Alexiou, Eleftheria Arvanitaki,
George Dalaras, Dimitra Galani and Alkistis Protopsalti. Greece's big pop acts put on spectacular shows - look
out for Anna Vissi, Antonis Remos, Despina Vandi, Notis Sfakianakis, Ploutarhos, Sakis Rouvas, Mihalis Hatziyi-
annis and Elena Paparizou.
11
An Club
LIVE MUSIC
Exarhia's popular basement rock club hosts lesser-known international bands, as well as
some interesting local acts.
(
210 330 5056;
www.anclub.gr
;
Solomou 13-15, Exarhia;
Omonia)
12
Kavouras
REMBETIKA
