The Best Bars in Kefalonia, Greece

One of the great joys of a Greek island holiday is sitting out late on a balmy patio, as the scent of jasmine or honeysuckle fills the night air – and this bar, in popular resort Lassi, is a little oasis. Sit out on cushioned cream seating among prettily illuminated olive trees, sipping a “Greek Bramble” – with sour cherry juice, basil and mastiha – as water trickles into the statue-guarded pond. Feeling a little lightheaded? They also do fantastic pizzas and Greek salads.

In a high-ceilinged, thatched pavilion behind the pines, this beachside bar in Skala hosts a mellow crowd of middle-aged couples, locals and Kefalonia regulars. Inside, Bowie posters and British street signs happily clutter the walls, outside it’s all tropical parrot-print upholstery and homespun, hand-painted lanterns – this place is such a cult favourite that you can buy an Akri baseball cap. Drop in between 7pm and 10pm for a longer-than-usual happy hour.

The sparkling-clear, pale jade waters of Makris Gialos Beach put you in mind of the Caribbean – lazing under Costa Costa’s palm-thatched parasols, sipping an icy mojito, you could certainly be somewhere farther-flung. The beach has a backdrop of dense green pines, and an all-day pulse of DJ beats attracts a young (18-30) crowd from early afternoon onwards. A 10-minute drive south of main port Argostoli, it’s handy for an afternoon’s drink before heading out on the town for dinner.

You base yourself in Skala for lively, relatively polished nightlife – which slick mixology bar Karma delivers in spades. It’s a relatively recent addition to the strip here, with a brick bar lit up in disco-purple and Curacao-blue. Hosts Vicky and Costas keep you topped up with pornstar martinis and frozen daiquiris in their chic, breezy white pavilion. Just a few steps off Skala beach, it’s a popular spot that always feels sophisticated.

In Poros, on the island’s east coast, look for the cheery hand-painted signs and lime-green and red cushions of this spot, in a serene location right by the waterfront. Drop in for a mellow late-afternoon drink within cartwheeling distance of the sea – iced coffees are popular, but a simple half-litre of Greek lager goes beautifully with the view. The owners are big music fans so – depending on their mood – you might hear classic rock, jazz or reggae.

The island capital, Argostoli, has some of the liveliest nightlife and most sophisticated restaurants, so consider an evening out even if you’re staying at the beach. This smart, glass-fronted cocktail bar has a whimsical menu inspired by art and cinema – try a vodka, peach and lychee-infused Kill Bill or a rum’n’ginger Stormtrooper, served with a bowl of popcorn. Warhol-inspired murals and staff in Amy-Winehouse-esque pin-up fashions give this place a retro feel.

On the waterfront in main port Argostoli, this industrial-chic bar enjoys the best of both worlds: slick design inside, with exposed brick, black-painted metalwork and chandeliers dangling from a high ceiling. The outdoor tables are serene, with rippling ocean and green hills beyond. If you’re lucky, you may see a turtle or two. Iced coffees and chilled rosés are the most popular orders by day, but the full range of spirits are on offer for cocktail fans.

Checkerboard floors, pine tables and potted plants trailing from every surface – this Lixouri hotspot is a stylish number, with a broad sea-facing balcony area to cool off on. Live-music nights or mellow playlists make for an equally relaxed vibe as you sip margaritas from salt-rimmed glasses, or watch the limber bartenders garnish fruity drinks with glace cherries and sculpted pineapple. All in all, a great meeting place for couples and pals of all ages.

People tend to choose far-northern Fiskardo because it’s a sleepy, end-of-the-line sort of coastal town – and this social hub is just as low-key. A powder-blue building with a canopied terrace, Theodora’s overlooks the boats drifting in and out of the harbour – while smiling staff serve slabs of cake and fruit-topped cocktails to tables right up to the water’s edge. It’s a meditative spot to sit with a house bellini or a cool pint and watch life go by.

Glass lanterns dangle from the tree canopy at this ramshackle terrace, where thoroughly unwound holidaymakers gather after a day on the beach. It’s the bar of a chic, comfy boutique hotel in well-developed Skala, with the same boho decor textures of white paint, pine wood, festoon lights and rope. Clink Aperol spritzes in goldfish-bowl glasses and prepare to be befriended by staff – known as the “Captain’s crew” – and regular punters.