4 late-night dives in Athens our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Athens nightlife.
Brettos ★ 4.6
plaka · Kydathineon 41, Athina 105 58
Brettos on Kydathineon in Plaka has run since 1909 as Athens' oldest distillery and one of Europe's oldest bars, with a backlit wall of multi-hued bottles.
Tip: The back-bar wall of glowing bottles is the photo seat; order the house ouzo or the cherry liqueur on ice. Open daily 10:00-02:00; walk in.
Au Revoir ★ 4.4
exarchia · Patision 136, Athina 112 57
Au Revoir on Patision Avenue in Kypseli has run since 1958 as the city's oldest cocktail bar, an Aristomenis Provelegios interior unchanged.
Tip: Cash-only bar; the green-leather banquettes and the original 1950s decor are intact. Victoria Metro L1 is the closest stop; the room is small, arrive early.
Off the Chain ★ 4.1
exarchia · Zoodochou Pigis 25, Athina 106 81
Off the Chain on Zoodochou Pigis in Exarchia is the indie after-hours bar that opens after the rest of the neighbourhood closes, with heavy rock.
Tip: Doors after the other Exarchia bars close; the rock-and-metal programme runs to dawn. Cash bar is faster; Omonia Metro is the closest stop.
Cantina Social ★ 4.2
psyrri · Leokoriou 8, Athina 105 54
Cantina Social on Leokoriou in Psyrri is the hidden after-hours bar reached through a covered passage off the street, with cheap drinks, old industrial.
Tip: Hard to find; take the unmarked passage from Leokoriou into the courtyard. Cash bar is fastest; Monastiraki Metro is the closest stop.