Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
enthusiasts tend to be knowledgeable to the point of
obsession. For rock bars, clubs and record shops, Exárhia is
the place to be. Major international bands generally appear
in the summer to play open-air venues.
After Dark Dhidhótou 31 & Ippokrátous, Exárhia
T 210 360 0460, W www.afterdark.gr; map p.60. Rock,
blues and soul, plus the occasional live performance by
Greek indie bands to a young crowd. Typically €5 weekdays,
€8 weekends. From 11pm, midnight Fri & Sat, closed
Mon.
An Live Club Solomoú 13-15, Exárhia T 210 330 5056,
W anclub.gr; map p.60. Basement club featuring live
performances by local and lesser-known foreign rock
bands. Typically €8-10 entry. From 9pm.
Gagarin 205 Liossíon 205 T 210 854 7601,
W gagarin205.gr; Metro Attikís; map p.60. Some way
north, but probably the finest venue for live rock in Athens,
where some 2000 fans can crowd in to see the best touring
indie bands as well as local talent and club nights. Entry
(around €15) and hours vary.
Kookoo Live Music Bar Iákhou 17, Gázi T 210 345
0930, W kookoo.gr; map p.60. Fun new live music venue,
featuring young Greek alternative and rock musicians in an
enjoyably sweaty space. Entry typically €12, including a
drink. Oct-June from 12.30am.
Stavros tou Notou Tharípou 37, Néos Kósmos T 210
922 6975, W stn.gr; Metro Syngroú-Fix; map p.60. One
of the liveliest rock clubs in town, mostly featuring Greek
artists, but plenty of touring foreigners too. Entry typically
€15, including first drink.
some good clubs that can attract touring bands of
international repute. The major events take place as part of
the Jazz and Blues Festival at the end of June; information
and tickets are available from the Athens Festival box office
(see p.60) and some record stores.
Cafe Alavastron Dhamaréos 78, Pangráti T 210 756
0102, W cafealavastron.gr; map p.60. Excellent
atmosphere and live performances of a wide variety of
music, from trad jazz to African and Latin. Entry and hours
vary.
Half-Note Trivonianoú 17, Mets T 210 921 3310,
W halfnote.gr; map p.60. Athens' premier jazz club, with
live jazz most nights and frequent big-name touring
performers. Entry €25-30 (€20 Mon), drinks €10 . Oct-
May nightly at 10.30pm (9pm Sun).
In Vivo Hariláou Trikoúpi 79, Neápoli T 210 382 2103,
W invivoclub.gr; map p.60. Classy blues, jazz and rock
acts at an intimate, friendly venue; entry €6-15. Oct-
June, Fri & Sat from 8pm, acts at 11pm.
DANCE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC
Unless your Greek is fluent, the contemporary Greek
theatre scene is likely to be inaccessible; along with music,
it is essentially a winter pursuit.
Dora Stratou Ethnic Dance Company Filopáppou Hill
T 210 324 4395, W grdance.org; Metro Petrálona or
Akrópoli; map p.60. The Dora Stratou company's show in
their own open-air theatre combines traditional music, fine
choreography and gorgeous costumes for an experience
you'd be hard put to encounter in many years' travelling
around Greece. Tickets (€15) can almost always be picked
up at the door. Performances late May to late September
Tues-Sat 9.30pm, Sun 8.15pm.
LIVE JAZZ AND LATIN
Jazz has only a small following in Greece, but there are still
THE ATHENS AND EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL
The annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival encompasses a broad spectrum of cultural
events: most famously ancient Greek theatre (performed, in modern Greek, at the Herodes
Atticus Theatre on the South Slope of the Acropolis), but also modern theatre, traditional
and contemporary dance, classical music, jazz, traditional Greek music and even a
smattering of rock.
The Herodes Atticus Theatre (see p.70) is a memorable place to watch a performance on
a warm summer's evening - although you should avoid the cheapest seats, unless you bring
along a pair of binoculars and a cushion. Other festival venues include the open-air Lykavitós
Theatre on Lykavitós Hill, and the two ancient theatres at Epidaurus (see p.142). For the
latter, you can buy inclusive trips from Athens from the festival box o ce, either by coach or
boat - the two-hour boat trip includes dinner on board on the way home.
Performances are scheduled from late May right through to early October, although the
exact dates vary each year. If you can, it's worth booking in advance (credit card bookings on
T 210 327 2000 and at W greekfestival.gr); tickets go on sale three weeks before the event at
the box o ce. As well as online, programmes are available from tourist o ces or from the
festival box o ce in the arcade at Panepistimíou 39 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm, Sat 9am-2.30pm).
There are also box o ces at the Herodes Atticus Theatre (daily 9am-2pm and 5-8pm) and
Epidaurus (Mon-Thurs 9am-2pm and 5-8pm, Fri & Sat 9.30am-9.30pm) for events at those
venues only.
 
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