Okupa ★ 4.5
€€psyrriDaily, programme runs from evening to late
Okupa on Psaromiligkou in Kerameikos is the ground-floor listening bar of the Okupa urban hub, with vintage 70s decor, an analog sound system spinning.
Tip: Walk-in for the bar; the outside terrace runs in summer with a live band. Kerameikos Metro L3 is two blocks. The DJ programme runs late on weekends.
Spiti Art Bar ★ 4.4
€€kerameikos-metaxourgeioWed to Sun evenings, schedule via venue
Spiti Art Bar on Evpatridon in Kerameikos is the listening-and-live-music room programming jazz, gypsy jazz, flamenco and the occasional rebetiko night.
Tip: Live concerts most nights, ticketed via the venue; arrive 30 minutes before the set. Kerameikos Metro L3 is three blocks. The room is small, book ahead.
Brettos ★ 4.6
€plakaDaily 10:00-02:00
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
€exarchiaDaily from evening to late
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
€exarchiaLate nights into early morning
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
€psyrriLate nights into early morning
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.