Top Bars in Athens – Most Viewed (2025)

Located in the heart of Athens, The Clumsies has established itself as a cornerstone of the city's vibrant bar scene since its inception in 2014. Founded by acclaimed bartenders Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis, both Greek World Class Winners, the bar has garnered international acclaim, consistently securing a spot in the World's 50 Best Bars list, including a notable ranking at No. 47 in 2023. ​ Housed within a grand neoclassical townhouse, The Clumsies offers a multifaceted experience across its three levels. The interior exudes a blend of homeliness and sophistication, featuring cozy lounges, a billiards room, and a dedicated space known as "The Room," which accommodates private gatherings of up to ten guests. This exclusive area boasts amenities such as a fireplace, a curated selection of vinyl records, and personalized service from award-winning mixologists. ​ The bar's cocktail program is a testament to creativity and precision. Each year, the team unveils a new menu that pushes the boundaries of traditional mixology. A standout creation is the "Mediterranean Gimlet," which artfully combines Star of Bombay gin with a Greek salad cordial made from slow-cooked tomato water, cucumber, red pepper, olives, and oregano, garnished with dehydrated leaven. ​ Beyond its innovative cocktails, The Clumsies serves modern Greek cuisine, offering patrons a harmonious blend of flavors that complement the drink offerings. The establishment's commitment to hospitality ensures that guests feel both welcomed and valued, contributing to its reputation as a must-visit destination in Athens.

Since 2009, Baba Au Rum has been Athens’s trailblazing rum-focused cocktail bar, founded by Thanos Prunarus. Blending modernist design and tiki‑inspired tropicality, it’s a refined yet approachable Rum & Cocktail Society nestled in the Psyri/Monastiraki district. With over 400 rums from the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond—ranging from Agricole to rare aged expressions—it boasts one of Europe's most impressive rum collections. Its cocktail menu splits into two standout sections: the avant‑garde menu (art‑inspired originals like Glass Tears, Pollock’s Highball) and the Rum Society (tiki classics like Mai Tai, Baba’s Zombie, and Spicy Baba No7) alongside signature creations and in‑house syrups and liqueurs. Awards recognition includes #17 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and longstanding international acclaim for its craft and concept. The ambiance is chic yet warm: curated lighting, wooden interiors, botanical touches, curated vinyl and reggae to Latin fusion, and a convivial neighborhood‑bar energy tempered with creative flair . Practical touches like pairing neat rum with dark chocolate and staff who guide sipping flights make it welcoming even to rum novices. Cocktails typically range around €10–13 (≈ US $11–13), making it a smart upscale yet unpretentious choice in Athens night life.

Line Athens is an innovative all-day bar-eatery in Kato Petralona, born from the creative minds behind The Clumsies and Three Cents. Housed in a former art gallery with whitewashed walls and high ceilings, Line blends industrial design with a laid-back neighborhood vibe. What sets Line apart is its fermentation-first philosophy: on-site stainless tanks ferment beers, fruit wines (like strawberry, yellow/white peach), and vermouths, while excess ingredients get repurposed into house-made bread, fruit cheeses, and zero-waste cocktails. The menu evolves seasonally but centres around familiar classics — like Alexander, Mojito — reinvented through these ferments. Line also offers small, thoughtful plates by chef Pavlos Kyriakí—featuring Greek cheeses, buns (e.g., seaweed, squid ink milk), pork sausage hot dogs, tartares and more, all priced between €4–€15; cocktails generally around €10–12, beers €5–7 . It's simultaneously relaxed and refined—perfect for daytime with coffee, wine, food or for evening socializing over bold drinks and sustainable bites. Consistently recognized on the global stage—it ranked No.6 in The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2024 and was previously No.12 — Line is described as “the digs of Athens cocktail royalty” with a mission to redefine craft bartending. Sustainability, creativity, community and Gastropub-style nibbles meet in a space where industrial chic feels like home, day and night.

In the winding alleys of Plaka, Brettos stands as Athens' oldest operating distillery and a beloved bar since 1909, nestled amidst neoclassical charm. With its backlit wall of multihued bottles towering behind a rustic wooden bar, the atmosphere is as visually arresting as it is inviting. Founded by Michael Brettos, the bar originally distilled ouzo, brandy, and bespoke liqueur flavors—from cherry and peppermint to citrus and masticha—based on Smyrni family recipes. Though the distillery operations moved elsewhere, the Plaka venue stayed alive as both liquor shop and tasting bar. Inside, it’s a time capsule of tradition: barrel‑lined walls, old‑world décor, and around 15 stools where locals and tourists alike sample quadruple‑distilled ouzo, house‑made liqueurs, brandy, tsipouro and rakomelo—many exclusive to Brettos. The staff is warm and knowledgeable, inviting patrons to explore dozens of flavors in a relaxed environment. Whether sipping on a banana‑infused liqueur, a smooth brandy, or a cooling Santorini Assyrtiko, every choice becomes an opportunity to taste something unique—and maybe take a bottle home. Open daily from 10 am to 3 am, Brettos offers a perfect spot for early evening ouzo, post‑meal drinks, or a late‑night nightcap in Plaka’s historic core. Despite its popularity, it maintains an “out‑of‑time” charm—soft music from a vintage radio, friendly service, and an atmosphere that feels both timeless and unpretentious. In essence, Brettos isn’t just a bar—it’s a living piece of Athenian craft and hospitality, a place where history pours by the glass.

Located on a narrow lane just off Monastiraki / Syntagma, The Bar in Front of the Bar began as a pop-up street-bar while its “main bar” was under construction — and refused to disappear. Over time, it matured into a beloved fixture of Athens’ cocktail scene, a small front that hints at greater depths behind. By day and evening it operates as a bright, open, street-level cocktail counter: you lean into the bar, order from a rotating “menu of the day,” and sip outside or passersby can grab take-aways. Its façade is defined by bold sans serif signage that changes phrases regularly (e.g. “We Serve Humans Too”, “Something To Talk To Your Therapist About”) Inside, it’s not just a street bar: hidden behind a door is Rumble in the Jungle, a jungle-themed speakeasy run by the same team. The dual concept offers two experiences: the open street bar and the concealed lounge behind. Cocktails lean inventive and often ephemeral. Housemade ingredients, zero-waste practices, and frequent menu changes are standard. Think palo santo smoke, black garlic, jasmine infusions, and fresh Greek produce. Everything here is served cold — glassware, ice, even some liquor bottles are kept in deep freezers (~ –24°C) to preserve texture and chill. The bar opens early afternoon and runs well into late night (last call often ~2 a.m.). Because of its limited footprint, seating is minimal; many guests stand or walk with their drink. This is a place for drink lovers who relish discovery and playfulness. It isn’t about volume or spectacle — it’s about concept, craft, surprise, and the thrill of finding something hidden right in the heart of Athens.