4 Best Bars in Monastiraki, Athens

Rum is the star at this trendy, popular bar in the heart of Monastiraki. All the liqueurs, syrups, and essences to flavor highly original and delicious cocktails are made in-house. The vibe is buzzy both indoors—where the decor has stylish yet quirky vintage touches like stained-glass lamps and antique drinking glasses—and out, where crowds gather especially on weekends. From tiki-inspired beverages to dark rum, chocolate, and lemon creations, you can spend hours experimenting here. Voted as one of the top 50 bars worldwide.

This youthful, scenic, and modish bar offers a different kind of local color than the usual walk-in or street-level place, as you'll have to enter an arcade selling antiques and take the elevator to the top floor of an old building to reach it. As you step out onto the roof, you'll come face to face with a stunning view of the Acropolis, the National Observatory, and the Anafiotika area—and after sunset all of them beautifully lit up. The cocktails are creative, the finger foods tasty, the music loud (there are regular DJ sets hosted), and the service friendly.

You can choose to lounge at the bar or squeeze yourself into a bopping crowd to watch a top DJ or alternative electronica band do their thing. Or if you're the quiet-loving type, simply walk down the stairs to find yourself in a huge urban garden, where you can sip a cold beer and chat until late into the night. Since it opened in the early 2000s, this bar/club has never for a moment lost its edge, or popularity.