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The Acropolis, Athens

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Athens Nightlife

Athens has a lively nightlife scene that takes place in the hundreds of bars, tavernas and clubs, as well as in the streets. The most 'happening' area of town is Gazi, thanks to the opening of Kerameikos metro station, which has made it infinitely more accessible. Closer to the centre, Psirri caters for more mainstream tastes. To rub shoulders with the Athenian elite, try the upmarket area of Kolonaki. Or for a drink under the stars with an Acropolis view, head to the open-air cafés lining Apostolou Pavlou in Thissio and Adrianou near Monastiraki. Other vibrant areas include Exarhia, Syntagma and Thissio. Athens probably has the most long-standing and impressive cultural heritage of any city in Europe. However, this pedigree is not confined to past greatness - a continued enthusiasm for the arts is expressed annually at the Athens Festival.

During the summer, tickets for all performances included within the Athens Festival and the Epidaurus Festival are sold at the Hellenic Festival Box Office, Panepistimiou 39 (tel: 210 327 2000; www.greekfestival.gr). Tickets to other cultural events are available direct from the venue box offices. The Ministry of Culture's website (www.culture.gr) has full listings for forthcoming cultural events throughout Greece (predominantly in Athens).

Dora Stratou Dance Theatre

The Dora Stratou Dance Theatre was founded in 1953 by a dancer and devotee of Greek folk culture. Each evening May to September, the troupe, dressed in traditional costume, puts on a show of exuberant Greek song and dance at an open-air theatre on Filopáppou (Philopapps Hill), opposite the Acropolis.

Scholiou 8
Tel: 210 324 4395.
www.grdance.org

Lykavittós

The outdoor Lykavittós theatre hosts a range of plays and concerts throughout the summer.

Lykavittós Hill
Tel: 210 722 7209.

Mégaron Mousikis Athenon

Mégaron Mousikis Athenon (Athens Concert Hall) is a modern venue which hosts all the city’s top ballet, opera and classical music events, as well as conferences and exhibitions. It’s also the home of the Athens State Orchestra, the city's major orchestra, who hold many of their performances here.

Leofóros Vassilissis Sofías
Tel: 210 728 2333.
www.megaron.gr

National Theatre of Greece

The National Theatre of Greece encompasses five theatre groups.

Agiou Konstantinou 24-26 and Panepistimiou 48
Tel: 210 528 8100.
www.n-t.gr

Odion Iródou Attikou (Odeon of Herod Atticus)

The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripedes, and the comedies of Aristophanes represent the high points of ancient Greek theatre and heralded the birth of Western drama. The original performances were held in the Theatre of Dionysos, on the southern slopes of the Acropolis. Nearby, the Odion Iródou Attikou (Odeon of Herod Atticus) is a Roman theatre from the second century AD, also known as the Herodeion. The auditorium is usually only open on summer evenings for the Athens Festival, when it provides an impressive setting for performances of music and classical drama.

Dionysiou Areopagitou, Acropolis
Tel: 210 323 2771.

Olympia Theatre

The Greek National Opera is based at the Olympia Theatre, which also hosts operas and musical events performed by touring companies and musicians, as well as dance performances from the National Ballet Company.

Akadimias 59-61
Tel: 210 361 2461.
www.nationalopera.gr

Bars in Athens

Hoxton

The most popular bar in Gazi by far is Hoxton, a former warehouse converted into an industrial-chic lounge-bar.

Voutadon 42
Tel: 210 341 3395.

Mommy

Those in search of something colourful should check out Mommy, a glamorous bar-restaurant with 1970s décor and a young, rich, trendy clientele.

Delphon 4
Tel: 210 361 9682.
www.mommy.gr

Soul

Soul in Psirri tops the league in terms of atmosphere, with a cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant in a stunning courtyard with deep red walls and lush planting, plus a dance floor upstairs.

Evripidou 65
Tel: 210 331 0907.

TAF

Located in a side street behind Monastiraki metro station, TAF opened in summer 2009 and scored instant success with its contemporary art exhibitions and funky bar set in a courtyard garden.

Normanou 5
Tel: 210 323 8757.
www.theartfoundation.gr

Clubs in Athens

Balux

During summer, most of the big clubs move out to the beach - names to look out for include Balux in Glyfada.

Posidonos 58
Tel: 210 894 1620.
www.asterascomplex.com

Island

Island in Varkiza is another club by the beach to look out for in summer.

Sounio Avenue
Tel: 210 892 5000.
www.islandclubrestaurant.gr

Venue

Athens's clubs change names and venues frequently, but many of the liveliest clubs are located in Gazi - a current favourite is Venue.

Pireos 130
Tel: 210 341 1410.
www.venue-club.com

Live Music in Athens

Athinon Arena

Many of Greece's top bouzouki stars play at Athinon Arena in Gazi, a large 2,500-seat concert hall.

Pireos 166
Tel: 210 347 1111.
www.athenspantheon.com

Gagarin 205

Rock music enthusiasts might prefer the more informal Gagarin 205, staging live concerts.

Liosion 203-205, Atiki
Tel: 210 854 7601.
www.gagarin205.gr

Halfnote Jazz Club

For the best jazz in town, visit Halfnote Jazz Club in Mets.

Trivonianou 17
Tel: 210 921 3310.
www.halfnote.gr

Stoa Athanaton

To hear authentic rembétika (blues sung by immigrants from Asia Minor who came to Greece in the 1920s), try the Stoa Athanaton, an atmospheric venue in the arcade inside the Central Market.

Sofokleous 19, Central Market
Tel: 210 321 4362.

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