Greece
Interesting bar/cafe in the bohemian Exarchia area of Athens.
The Exarchia area has drawn intellectuals and students into it from the 19th century onwards and the area was headquarters of many left wing organisations.
This establishment on the square looks straight out of 1960s eastern Europe with every piece of furniture actually from the 1960s itself. Relaxed easy going crowd pitch up here.
www.ginger-ale.gr/
Themistokleous 74, Exarchia
+30 210 3301246
Google map: bit.ly/HtI9XD
Nearest metro Omonia
A cafe for the 'elite' of Athens, it is worth a visit to see that the economic downturn has not affected everyone equally. Quite exclusive shops ring the square.
Τσακάλωφ 1, Athens 10673 Greece
+30 210 3602497
Google map: bit.ly/HDb6Br
Decent Irish pub in central Athens. As you'd expect it was not particularly cheap but shows all the UK sporting events and has live music as well.
The other three Irish pubs are all located a wee bit out from the centre.
www.jjoyceirishpubathens.com/
Astiggos 12, Thiseio, 105 55
+30 210 32 35 055
Google map: bit.ly/IiTWIm
Pleasant live music venue, featuring local jazz and "world music" musicians, along with some more interesting contemporary Greek acts.
Popular jazz trio Human Touch are highly recommended, although they do not play here as often as they used to. Armenian Haig Yazdjian is another regular who is always worth hearing.
Konstantinoupoleos & Agiou Orous, Kollonos,
Post code: 10447
Telephone: +302103474074
Live Jazz venue at the music school run by outstanding bassist Giorgos Fakanas. Apart from his own band, who are usually outstanding, I have seen acts there such as Allan Holdsworth, Wallace Roney, Mike Stern and Birelli Lagrene. Highly recommended to all jazz fans.
3 Poseidonos Ave., Neo Faliro,
Tel 210 4813605
Greece is a wonderful place to visit over the Easter weekend - more specifically, Athens. Orthodox Easter is celebrated in Greece, meaning that shops and restaurants aren't closed in observance of western Easter. Athens is a surprising vibrant and cosmopolitan city. The seaside area of Glyfada is filled with fantastic cafes, bars, shops, restaurants and beach clubs. Psirri, an area in the center of Athens, has a booming nightlife and is full of a bohemian young crowd. There is, of course, also a wealth of historical and archeological sites to visit.
The average high temperature in April is 20.2 C/68.4 F and many locals swim in the sea year-round. There are low-cost flights available from the UK. It's a great place for a long weekend in Europe.
Athens got its own 'In Your Pocket' city guide this month. Like every other IYP guide around Europe, it is packed with useful, timely and accurate information about accommodation, restaurants, nightlife, sightseeing, shopping etc.
If there isn't one in your hotel room, you can buy it at foreign press news stands for just €2 or simply download it for free.
Greece has a strong tradition of open air cinema in the summer months, and Athens has a startling number of venues. They can often be a bit shabby, and you'd best bring your own refreshments but with the right movie it can be great. I saw Tarantino's Death Proof on a rooftop in Exarchia, and it's hard to believe it could be better viewed any other way.
As far as nightlife is concerned, I would recommend the above three bars. The first is situated in the area of Galatsi, to the north of the city centre and very close to a green hill called Alsos Galatsiou, with stunning panoramic views of Athens, which you can enjoy at Zeppelin Bar. Galatsi Hill also boasts a summer open air cinema snuggled among the pine trees.
I also recommend Thirio bar in Psyrri for lovers of funk, electronic "ethnic" and rock sounds and would suggest Bar Guru Bar (a trendy multicultural area behind Sophocleous str) for its great Thai decor and lovely cocktails (also serves Thai cuisine).
Kibubu - on Galatsiou ave
Thirio - Psyrri, very near Iroon sq just ask
Bar Guru Bar - Theatrou Sq, Athens (centre)
Go to Texas, the most famous rock club in Athens. Plays classic rock and metal every night until morning. Often frequented by bands such as Motorhead after they've played in the city. If you like Texas you can also try nearby Revenge of Rock.
Texas is on Ippokratous Street in the bohemian area of Exarhia. Revenge of Rock is on Leofourous Alexandras, also in Exarhia. Exarhia is central Athens – a 10 minute walk from Ommonia square or take a cab (most taxi drivers will know these clubs)
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