Greece - Korina Miller [99]
At Monastiraki’s James Joyce (Map; 210 323 5055; Astingos 12; mains €9-14) Irish pub you’ll find free-flowing Guinness, decent pub food, live music and plenty of travellers and expats.
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ENTERTAINMENT
English-language entertainment information appears daily in the Kathimerini supplement in the International Herald Tribune, while Athens News and Athens Plus also have entertainment listings.
You can also check out www.elculture.gr and other entertainment websites (boxed text) for events and concerts around town.
Cinemas
Athenians are avid cinema-goers. Most cinemas show recent releases in English (they don’t dub them), but art-house foreign films have Greek subtitles. In summer Athenians prefer outdoor cinemas (boxed text). Admission costs €7 to €8.
The following cinemas are in central Athens:
Apollon & Attikon (Map; 210 323 6811; Stadiou 19, Syntagma)
Astor (Map; 210 323 1297; Stadiou 28, Syntagma)
Asty (Map; 210 322 1925; Koraï 4, Syntagma)
Ideal (Map; 210 382 6720; Panepistimiou 46)
Classical Music & Opera
In summer the main cultural activity takes place at the historic Odeon of Herodes Atticus and other venues under the auspices of the Hellenic Festival.
Megaron (Athens Concert Hall; Map; 210 728 2333; www.megaron.gr; Kokkali 1, cnr Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias, Ilissia; box office 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat) The city’s state-of-the-art concert hall presents a rich winter program of operas and concerts featuring world-class international and Greek performers.
The Greek National Opera (Ethniki Lyriki Skini; 210 360 0180; www.nationalopera.gr) season runs from November to June. Performances are usually held at the Olympia Theatre (Map; 210 361 2461; Akadimias 59, Exarhia) or the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in summer.
Theatre
Athens has more theatres than any city in Europe but, as you’d expect, most performances are in Greek. Theatre buffs may enjoy a performance of an old favourite if they know the play well enough.
National Theatre (Map; 210 522 3243; www.n-t.gr; Agiou Konstantinou 22-24, Omonia) The recently refurbished theatre is one of the city’s finest neoclassical buildings. Performances of contemporary plays and ancient theatre take place on the main stage and in venues around town. In summer, plays are performed in ancient theatres across Greece, such as at Epidavros.
Greek Folk Dancing
Dora Stratou Dance Theatre (Map; 210 921 4650; www.grdance.org; Filopappou Hill; adult/concession €15/10; performances 9.30pm Tue-Sat, 8.15pm Sun May-Sep) Every summer the Dora Stratou company performs its repertoire of folk dances from all over Greece at its open-air theatre on the western side of Filopappou Hill. Formed to preserve the country’s folk culture, it has gained an international reputation for authenticity and professionalism. It also runs folk-dancing workshops in summer. The theatre is signposted from the western end of Dionysiou Areopagitou. Take trolleybus 22 from Syntagma and get off at Agios Ioannis.
Live Music
ROCK
Athens has a healthy rock-music scene and is a regular stop on most European touring schedules. In summer check Rockwave and other festival schedules.
Gagarin 205 Club (Map; Liosion 205) The Gagarin 205 Club is primarily a rock venue, with gigs on Friday and Saturday nights featuring leading rock and underground music bands. Tickets are available from Ticket House (Map; 210 360 8366; www.tickethouse.gr; Panepistimiou 42, Syntagma).
AN Club (Map; 210 330 5056; Solomou 13-15, Exarhia) The small AN Club hosts lesser-known international bands, as well as interesting local bands.
Mike’s Irish Bar (Map; 210 777 6797; www.mikesirishbar.gr; Sinopis 6, Ambelokipi; 8pm-4am) A long-time favourite of the city’s expatriate community, Mike’s has live music most nights from 11.30pm.
JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC
You can hear an eclectic range of music in small clubs around Athens. Cover charges vary depending on the performances. Note that they are normally closed during July and August.
Half Note Jazz Club (Map; 210 921 3310; Trivonianou 17, Mets) The stylish Half