Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GAY AND LESBIAN VENUES
Athens'
gay scene
is mostly very discreet, but the city has its share of bars and clubs; most, these days, are in Gázi. For
further information, check the gay sections in the listings magazines or the excellent website
W
www.gaygreece.gr.
Athens Pride takes place in the first week of June (
W
athenspride.eu).
1
Blue Train
Konstantinoupóleos 84, Gázi
T
210 346
0677; map p.60.
Open from early evening, this is a popular
gay meeting place before going on to the clubs, with a
courtyard in summer. Upstairs,
Kazarma
(same phone) is
one of the better clubs you could go on to, while
El Cielo
,
higher still, is a summer roof-terrace bar.
8pm-3am.
Noiz
Konstantinoupóleos 78, Gázi
T
210 346 7850,
W
noizclub.gr; map p.60.
Lesbian bar-club with good
international
sounds
and
welcoming
atmosphere.
10pm-4am.
Sodade
Triptolémou 10, Gázi
T
210 346 8657; map
p.60.
Both lesbian- and gay-friendly, with a stylish crowd
and great music - one room plays Greek and mainstream,
the other quality dance music.
Daily 11pm-3.30am.
ENTERTAINMENT
Live traditional
Greek music
(see p.795) is one of the capital's big attractions but you have to visit during winter to see the
best acts; in summer many musicians head off to tour the islands. This winter period - from around October to May - is also
when the major
classical music
,
ballet
and
drama
performances are staged, and the
sporting
calendar is at its
busiest. On the other hand, summer is the
festival
season. Most significant is the June-to-September
Athens &
Epidaurus Festival
of dance, music and ancient drama, but there are also annual rock, jazz and blues events, while you
may see big international bands at one of the major outdoor venues.
traditional Greek music which explores its eastern roots -
legendary Irish lyra player Ross Daly is a regular. Entry
free-€10.
Most nights from 10.30pm.
Perivoli T'Ouranou
Lysikrátous 19, Pláka
T
210 323
5517; map p.66.
Traditional rebétika
club on the edge of
Pláka (so used to tourists) with regular appearances by
classy performer Babis Tsertsos. Entry varies, but even
when free they make up for it on the food and drink - €10
for a beer, €25-30 for main-course dishes
. Open Oct-
June, closed Wed.
Stoa Athanaton
Sofokléous 19, in the meat market
T
210 321 4362; map p.66.
Fronted by
bouzoúki
veterans
Hondronakos and company. Good taverna food at
reasonable prices but expensive drinks.
Open Sept-April
Mon-Sat 3-6pm & midnight-6am; closed Sun.
LIVE GREEK MUSIC
To Baraki Tou Vassili
Dhidhótou 3, Kolonáki
T
210
362 3625,
W
tobaraki.gr; map p.66.
Daily acoustic
performances: a showcase for up-and-coming rebétika
acts and singer-songwriters. Entry around €15, includes
first drink; reasonably priced drinks once you're in.
From
around 10.30pm, closed Sun.
Boemissa
Solomoú 13-15, Exárhia
T
210 383 8803,
W
boemissarebetika.gr; map p.60.
Rebétika and laïká
place popular with university students, who jam the dance
floor and aisles, and inevitably end up writhing on the
tabletops as well. Good company of musicians play music
from all regions of Greece. Drinks €7: two-drink minimum;
mezédhes served. Reservations recommended.
Tues-Sun
11pm-4am.
Hilios ke Dhio Nikhtes (1002 Nights)
Karaïskáki 10,
Psyrrí
T
210 331 7293,
W
1002nyxtes.gr; map p.66.
Live
music venue that's also a bar and restaurant with a Middle-
Eastern theme. Arabic-inspired menus from €25-50, plus
LIVE ROCK
The indigenous Greek rock scene is small but manages to
support a number of local bands, while Athenian rock
WHAT'S ON WHEN
Sources of information on
what's on
in English are somewhat limited. There are some
listings in a number of free monthly or weekly publications distributed to hotels, but these
are partial and not always accurate; better are the weekly
Athens News
(published Friday;
W
athensnews.gr), with full movie lisitings and coverage of most major events, or the daily
local edition of the
International Herald Tribune
. Much more exhaustive listings including
music, clubs, restaurants and bars, but in Greek only, can be found in local weekly
Athinorama
. These can be bought at kiosks anywhere in the city: look out too for free
weeklies like
Lifo
and
Athens Voice
(again, Greek only), copies of which can be picked up in
galleries, record shops and the like. Specialist record shops (see p.113) are also good sources
of information in themselves, frequently displaying posters and selling tickets for rock, jazz
or festival concerts.
