Greece - Korina Miller [101]
Venue (Map; 210 341 1410; www.venue-club.com; Pireos 130, Rouf; admission €10-15; midnight-late Fri & Sat) Arguably the city’s biggest dance club, this new venue puts on the biggest dance parties with the world’s biggest DJs. It has a three-stage dance floor and an energetic crowd.
Letom (Map; 6992240000; Dekeleon 26, Gazi) Late-night clubbers flock to the dance parties at this trendy club in Gazi, with its giant mirrorball elephant, top line-up of international and local DJs, and gay-friendly, hip young crowd.
El Pecado (Map; 210 324 4049; Tournavitou 11, Psyrri; admission €10; 9pm-late, closed Jun-Sep) This winter club has an almost theme-park party feel – they literally ring a church bell to fire up the 30-something crowd. It’s a good bet if you want to dance the night away. In summer it moves beachside to Glyfada.
Villa Mercedes (Map; 210 342 2886; Tzaferi 11, cnr Andronikou; from 9.30pm) For an ultraswanky evening you could have dinner at this unashamedly pretentious but undeniably chic club and stay on for a cocktail and dance. The restaurant is well regarded and there’s pleasant outdoor seating. Bookings recommended.
SUMMER CLUBS
Athens has some great open-air urban venues, but in summer much of the city’s serious nightlife moves to glamorous, massive seafront clubs. Many clubs are on the tram route, which runs 24 hours on weekends. If you book for dinner you don’t pay for entry; otherwise admission at most places can range from €10 to €20, and usually includes one drink. Glam up to ensure you get in the door.
Akrotiri ( 210 985 9147; Vasileos Georgiou B 5, Agios Kosmas; 10pm-5am) One of the city’s top beach clubs, this massive venue has a capacity for 3000, with bars, a restaurant and lounges over different levels. It hosts great party nights with top resident and visiting DJs, and pool parties during the day.
Balux ( 210 894 1620; Leoforos Poseidonos 58, Glyfada; 10pm-late) This glamorous club right on the beach must be seen to be believed, with its poolside lounges and four-poster beds with flowing nets. There’s a restaurant and a top line-up of local and guest DJs.
Vitrine (Map; 210 924 2444; Markou Mousourou 1, Mets; 10pm-late) A firm favourite when it comes to downtown nightspots. The name of this venue may keep changing but the superb Acropolis and city views afforded from the top never do.
Bobayo (Map; 210 921 9397; Ardittou 1, Zappeio; 10pm-late Tue-Sun) Formerly called On the Road because it’s literally on a traffic island in the middle of two busy roads, this colourfully lit garden is a relaxed bar where you can sip cocktails, dine and dance.
If you’re spruced up and happy to make the trek, head to the dreamy all-time classic summer club/restaurant Island ( 210 965 3563; Varkiza, 27th km, Athens-Sounion road), with superb island decor and a seaside location, or head 3km further along to the massive new summer home of Venue (left).
Sport
The 2004 Olympics left a legacy of world-class sports stadiums, and Athens has begun attracting some major international and European sporting and athletic events. The most popular sports are soccer and basketball. Sports fans should contact local clubs or sporting bodies directly for match information, or check the English-language press or www.sportingreece.com.
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GAY & LESBIAN ATHENS
Athens’ gay and lesbian scene has gained prominence in recent years, with a new breed of gay and gay-friendly clubs opening around town, predominantly in and around Gazi, Psyrri and Metaxourghio. The Athens Pride march, held in June, has been an annual event since 2005, with celebrations centred on Plateia Klafthmonos. Gazi has the closest thing to a gay village, but for the most part the gay scene is relatively low-key.
The best place to start the night in Gazi is Blue Train (Map; 210 346 0677; www.bluetrain.gr; Leoforos Konstantinoupoleos, Gazi), along the railway line, which has a club upstairs. Sodade (Map; 210