Mar 2, 2025

BAR 56 Athens

The time capsule that you need

"The Whiskey collection is large - including several rare labels, and Mr. Panayotis, the owner behind the bar, will assist you in finding your whiskey."

I dug out BAR 56 in the semi-basement of the Kolonaki area when every other bar was overcrowded. To get there is exhausting but worth it! You need to climb many stairs of Ploutarchou St. and finally go down four steps to cross the threshold of number 56.

This timeless and sophisticated whisky bar opened 35 years ago. The bar in the mornings isn’t the same - it looks out of sight, but when night falls and its door opens at 20:30, people descend the stairs to find their favourite labels from all over the world in the timeless whiskey cellar. The Whiskey collection is large - including several rare labels, and Mr. Panayotis, the owner behind the leather-covered bar, will assist you in finding your whiskey.

There is also a menu with entrees and main courses. Jazz music is playing from the speakers, and every corner takes you back many decades when everything was pure and intellectual. The small tables for 2 or 4 seats are covered with lakhuri tablecloth with melted candles. For those who prefer more coziness, the leather corner sofa is the ideal place. If you are unescorted, do not hesitate to take a seat at the bar. Mr. Panayotis, the bartender is friendly and adorable, and he will make you feel relaxed! Last but not least, the boheme bordeaux wallpaper and the uncountable small frames with famous jazz artists and the piano complete that special time capsule that could easily be in Chicago or NYC, but it is in Athens.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

About this spot

Ploutarchou 56

Whiskey (glass):

8

+30

2107231424

Find your way with 262 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

MOMO

Get back your stolen time

MOMO is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Athens with an exquisite backyard that will give you back the time that's been stolen from you...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dimitris

Hall

Apr 15, 2025

Lefteris o Politis

Simply delicious souvlaki

A well-cooked pita, a juicy burger, tomato, and onion are a unique and tasty combination. It is the epitome of delicious simplicity.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 12, 2025

Santaroza

Asian film noir

Its trademark is the long, wooden bar that, with a length of 14 meters is perhaps the longest bar in Athens. It's the best place for negronis and whiskeys.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Apr 11, 2025

Matchpoint bar

Calm, cool and collected

Matchpoint's interior is tastefully decorated, and the music is lovely but my favorite is sitting outside enjoying my drink and watching the world go by.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Ode to socks

Greek culture encapsulated

Ode to socks has made good use of the local greek heroes such as the priest (pappa), the priest's wife, the sailor, and the fisherman, who are characteristic figures in every Greek's childhood.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Mandragoras

Every time is like the first time

There are always dishes of the day in addition to the set menu, so no two visits to Mandragoras are ever the same. And kontosouvli is always available.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 7, 2025

Mouries in Kolonos

Authentic Athenian

It does not matter what you order when you visit Mouries because everything is made with the same care (however, my favorite dish here is the meatballs).

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 7, 2025

Hatzigeorgiou

Αdding flavour to life

Every time I cross Evripidou Street, I am overwhelmed by the aroma of cinnamon, pepper, and oregano, and images of Eastern bazaars come to mind.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 4, 2025

To Laini

Where the Cretan heart beats

My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Apr 3, 2025

"Mauricio the cat" bookstore

A cultivated cat

Mauricio the cat likes to carry the latest publications, bringing attention to quality and design, and often hosts events such as reading time meetings with popular authors for his little friends.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 3, 2025

Koukaki

My dearest neighborhood

"Koukaki", the neighborhood in the center of Athens, is my favorite neighborhood anywhere in the world! Just come explore -- you won't regret it...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 2, 2025

Prigkiponisia

Traditional tsoureki bread

"Prigkiponisia" is one of my favorite pastry shops in Palaio Faliro, Athens. They're well known for their tsoureki bread & ice cream

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sofia

Skioti

Apr 2, 2025

Heading to Athens?

262 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

262 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Athens

Our team loves Athens

Get to know our other Spotters from Athens

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
41
Filters