The Best Bars on Skyros, Greece

A converted 160-year-old windmill in Pouria, Anemomylos sits on a seaside spot opposite the rock-hewn Agios Nikolaos church. Grab one of the tables that perch on the rocks and you might feel the spray from a breaking wave as you sip a Windmill cocktail made with mastiha, lime, tequila and butter caramel. Don’t leave without taking a peek inside – the original features, including the old brake wheel and millstone, are all on view.

Kavos Lounge Café’s setting across multiple palm- and pine-dotted terraces means you can jump right into the bay’s clear waters for a swim between drinks. Things really liven up at night when cinematic music is pumped out over loudspeakers to welcome the ferry’s arrival into Linaria Port as diners wave sparklers at the arriving passengers. It’s a suitably dramatic moment for what is a breathtaking setting.

Bar-side swings, thatched cabanas and sun-dappled tables are all on show at Juicy. Those in the know have been coming here to lounge, dine and swim for more than 30 years. Sitting right on Molos Beach, the boho-chic décor is an Instagram favourite in the daytime, converting into a sultry evening setting for cocktails that often continues late into the night.

Transitioning from a coffee bar by day to a cocktail bar by night, Agora is a laid-back spot with a well-stocked bar and a friendly welcome. Head to the rooftop for views of the castle, surrounding hills and whitewashed houses below, or grab a stool by the bar and ask the bartender to fix you a cocktail – the strawberry margarita and Bakewell punch with fresh raspberries are among the favourites.

With its location in the middle of Skyros town and cocktails made with fresh local fruit, little Oino is the meeting point that everyone passes through on a night out. Indoors, it feels as if you’re visiting a friend’s house, but the real action (and people-watching) happens outside. With only a handful of tables, a seat on the steps becomes prime real estate.

An atmospheric, retro spot traversing a narrow cobbled street in the centre of Skyros town, Neoptolemos is the place to grab an espresso, a cappuccino or something stronger before settling in to watch slow Skyrian life pass by. Sit indoors with its cosy stone and dark wood interior, or choose a table on the terrace. Look for the vintage telephone box surrounded by potted plants and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Both drinks and music are serious business at Rodon, an understated spot in Skyros town where vintage interiors and a sunny rooftop combine to create a space where you could stay for hours; where you come to get a morning coffee and end up sipping expertly made negronis well into the evening. Beer drinkers will quench their thirst with Greek Weissbier on tap, a welcome change from the usual bottled lagers.

Kalypso draws an upmarket crowd to this former pharmacy building on the upper Agoras. It’s a prime spot for people-watching, whether you come for a coffee during the day or expertly made margaritas at night. The amaretto sours and jugs of sangria are also worth a punt. Owner Hristos favours a chilled-out playlist of jazz and blues, making this an ideal venue for a romantic nightcap.