The Top Bars Near Syntagma Square, Athens

There are few bars where you feel welcome from the minute you walk in the door, and this is exactly what happens at Baba Au Rum. Effortlessly cool and laid-back, Baba Au Rum is an internationally recognized bar you won’t want to leave. Offering a menu with solid drinks and cocktails, rum is its star liquor – as the name suggests – with over a hundred globally sourced varieties making it an ideal place for rum lovers. For those who do not necessarily like the spirit, don’t fret – there are plenty of other drink options you can enjoy such as the house Bloody Mary, Daiquiri or Tiki drinks. We predict long nights out at Baba Au Rum in your near future.

Set in classy and vintage décor, 42 Bar is a stylish joint where you can sample unique and creative cocktails, made with fresh ingredients and homemade blends. Renewed four times a year, the menu seduces everyone with its wide-ranging list of favorites including the Zombie and several varieties of the classic Gin & Tonic. Another plus is the bar’s no-smoking policy, making it a refreshing place for non-smokers.

Tucked on a small pedestrian alley off Voulis street, Blue Bird is a bar where the night is young even when it’s not; a cozy place where the atmosphere is warm and homey. With a friendly staff and a well-conceived menu, this bar attracts a fun and loyal crowd, and is undeniably a favorite place for local residents. Don’t believe us? See for yourself.

This relaxed watering hole is undeniably the best bar when it comes to gin. With enough labels to fill an ark, the Gin Joint is the kind of place where you know you will always have a good time, even after a hard day at work. On the drink front, visitors can enjoy innovative concoctions, including serious drinks like the No Strings Attached (a delicious blend of Dutch genever, lemon, agave syrup, saffron and coconut salted caramel) or the more vibrant Home Is Where the Gin Is, which features premium London Dry Gin and the genius addition of cardamom bitters, among others.

Ipitou street, a little oasis off the busy center of Syntagma, is home to a few great bars. One of them is IPITOUthebar, a quaint bistro and bar open all day where you can enjoy a great coffee or delicious drinks after sunset. Make a point of trying the Bandidos de Maracujas cocktail while listening to soul, jazz and funky DJ sets.

The latest addition to the Syntagma bar family is The Trap, a unique spot tucked inside a gallery right on Syntagma square. With its vintage, classic vibe, this new kid on the block has a resolutely relaxed attitude and a welcoming atmosphere, offering visitors an interesting food and drink menu. Open in the morning with coffee and bites to eat, the bar is also a late-night hotspot serving a wide variety of cocktails. A word of caution, though – you will soon become a regular.

One of the things you should always remember when you wander around in Athens is to look inside the various galleries, as they are packed with surprises. One of them is Bartesera, an urban retreat conveniently located on Kolokotroni street. Split into two spacious rooms inside – one for drinks, one for exhibitions and small gigs – it is a low-key, all-day bar where you can enjoy delicious drinks (they even serve kir royal) as well as snacks and small bites.

IPPO bar (Intelligent Picture Project Organization) is a tiny, narrow bar filled to the brim with memorabilia and funky items and toys. But what IPPO lacks in size, it more than compensates for in drinks. Drop by for classic cocktails with a twist, such as the strawberry mojito or a refreshing caramel appletini. Other great news is that IPPO has a daily happy hour from 7:00 until 9:30 pm, when cocktails cost a mere €6 euros. Wicked!