The Best Bars on Mykonos, Greece

In the bar-speckled back streets of Mykonos Town, this unassuming whitewashed corner house has informal cushioned benches and wicker stools to perch on outside. There’s a postcard-perfect sliver of sea view at the end of the alley, framed by white walls on either side, and the drinks are excellent. This is not just a bar that does cocktails, it is emphatically a cocktail bar – with love and thought put into its punches and martinis, often infused with Greek spirits such as ouzo or mastiha, and herbs such as basil and mint. It’s also an atmospheric spot for a coffee in the daytime.

Gay-friendly, glam, furnished with lipstick-pink vintage knick-knacks – from tasselled lamps to gramophones – Lola is camp and convivial. Order a frozen strawberry daiquiri with a Mr Whippy flourish from chatty, welcoming bar staff, before heading to its lilac-cushioned nooks to chat with its unpretentious patrons – this is miles away from the island’s icy A-list scene. Mellow lounge music slowly morphs into singalong LGBTQ anthems as the night progresses.

There are few experiences more ‘pure Greek islands’ than sitting right by the rippling water on the edge of a whitewashed port, clutching a cold aperitif and chatting with friends as the sun sinks below the horizon. This spot, in the picture-perfect Little Venice neighbourhood on Mykonos’s Old Port, is the classic place to join in with the Cycladic ritual. Totter down its slim stone steps to reach the cushioned terrace, blending into the crowd of older regulars and wide-eyed newcomers, sitting among bright, locally painted canvases.

This one is a sultry day-long beach club that turns into a hippie-spirited music bar by night. Unlike its blingy neighbouring competition, this Paraga Beach venue attracts more seasoned Mykonos regulars – late 20s to mid 40s, mostly – who come in time for the sunset ritual: lounging on low sofas on steps down to the sand, listening to live bands and DJ sets. It’s also one of the more affordable ways to experience a beach club on this big-spender’s island – book seats on the sunset terrace around 5pm and buy at least a bottle of wine, as full-on tables means hefty minimum spends.

If you don’t like drinking on an empty stomach, fill your belly with mouthwatering delights at the amazing restaurants on Mykonos before you head out for cocktails and partying at the best nightclubs on the island. Recharge your batteries at the decadent luxury hotels and cosy boutique stays we’ve pre-selected for you, and continue your relaxation programme on the dreamy beaches here.

Evangelos Tsirmpas contributed additional reporting to this article.
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