Deana Kartsagouli
From Syntagma and Agion Theodoron Square to Ampelokipoi and Neo Psychic, enjoy your holiday drinks in style, that is in Athens’ most interesting brand new openings.
’Tis the season to be jolly. And a little tipsy. This is why, putting other indulgences aside, we decided to suggest cocktail bars for the festive days ahead. Easy and fun, they are the best places to party and we certainly will return to them come 2026. So for now, we suggest a small preview. Because if not now, then when? We’ll take care of the where.
Dr. 8, because New York is just a little too far away
If you are looking for a New York feel in an Athenian bar, then look no further than Dragatsaniou Street, near Agion Theodoron Square. That is where Dr. 8, has recently laid claim to the capital’s nightlife. Offering an atmosphere that is reminiscent of New York’s downtown bars, in design, music, quality drinks and food. What you will find there? In three words, pizza, cocktails and fresh, beautiful faces.
In the kitchen, Nikos Sotiropoulos brings his experience from the Italian hotspots Mario & Luigi and Odori to offer a menu focused on New York–style pizzas. Their strongest characteristic being that they are ideal for sharing. Behind the bar, Hector Vezyrgiannis, winner of World Class Greece, serves cocktails that are like the room’s energy, bold, straightforward but with a twist.
For those wanting an even more energetic vibe, the Blue Ballroom downstairs focuses daily on DJ sets, pushing the venue closer to a club without fully leaving its bar identity behind. You can find it by following the crowd that overflows on to the street outside.
Dragatsaniou 8, Athens, Tel.: : +30 698 113 6888
Maggie Cassidy, for drinks that bond us and keep us young at heart
Just like Jack Kerouac’s novel, the brand new club in Ampelokipoi, Maggie Cassidy, transports you into an age of youth and innocence, where connection, proximity and the shared experience are key. That was the intention of the co-owners, Armelina Antonaropoulou, Mikaela Tsikoudaki and Spyros Anagnostou, who we know from another beloved Athenian project, 7 Jokers.
This beautiful new cocktail bar opens its doors every day from morning offering coffee (carefully sourced by June Coffee Roasters). As the day progresses, the menu shifts its focus to well prepared meals, especially ones to share, wine (from a well curated list of Greek labels) and cocktails.
Of course, the names of the cocktails are drawn from Kerouac’s characters. Several are offered in half portions, so as to try as many as possible. Drinks in hand, conversations become livelier and even strangers get closer to one another. Especially on the nights with live Djs.
Laskaridou 7, Ampelokipoi, Tel.: +30 21 4402 5000
Sister, Authentic Thai cuisine and drink at their best
Sister opened in Neo Psychiko as a Thai bar restaurant, a concept that belongs to Konstantinos Zouganelis, whose previous experience (Buba and Guru Bar) shows that he can offer Athenians the very best in terms of entertainment. The venue occupies a detached two-level house on Perikleous Street with an outdoor courtyard that operates year round.
The menu is structured around four main sections, raw dishes, robata grill, steamed items, and family style plates. Core dishes include Tom Kha Kai, spring rolls, dumplings, satay from the robata, pad thai, and crispy duck served for sharing. Daily off menu options appear regularly, often combining Asian technique with Greek ingredients. Portions are designed for the table. This is food intended to be eaten alongside drinks and music rather than as a formal dining event.
So, as one can conclude, the bar follows a similar logic. Cocktails are built around classic recipes, adjusted with modern technique. Several drinks are available in half portions, encouraging multiple orders over the course of the evening. The wine list focuses on Greek producers, with a small number of international labels.
This is an ideal place to enjoy your drinks along with unpretentious dishes designed to elevate a night out on the town.
Perikleous 11, Neo Psychiko, Tel.: +30 210 6756845
Smoku, Chef Katrivessis’ new project this is still in the making
This new opening near Syntagma Square has two famous signature written all over it. The first one is that of Dimitris Katrivessis, the chef who after spending a few years on Tinos, decided to return to Athens with a concept he knows all too well, and the second, “Drunk Sinatra”, the legendary bar that once stood in its place.
Smoku operates on two distinct spaces. The one that is street level, functions as an urban izakaya with a long wooden bar, standing room, bar stools and loud music. The second space sits deeper inside the building, accessed through a narrow passage. This is where Smoku, The Tasting Room will fully develop in early 2026, a 20 seat fine dining counter led by Katrivessis in collaboration with Ebbe Volmer, a chef with three Michelin stars.
For now, the project is running in a limited pop up format, scheduled for 60 days. Only the izakaya side is active, allowing the team to test rhythm, menu flow, and audience response before the full opening.
Japanese technique with Mediterranean ingredients define the menu, meaning robata grilling, raw dishes, fermentation, and controlled acidity, all of which have been Katrivessis’ staple from the beginning of his career.
Cocktails follow the same discipline. Try the Smoku Dirty Martini, a drink filtered through oyster shells, adding mineral salinity. As for music, here you can listen to Japanese hip hop and afrobeat, which is an interesting and fun addition.
Thiseos 14, Syntagma, Tel.: +30 210 331 3733
