Sofia Skioti (1983)

Technopolis is a great example of a reformation of an old factory and its redefinition as a cultural venue. The complex where Technopolis is located used to host the gas factory of Athens – that’s what the Gazi area owes its name to. When electricity became the one and only source of energy, the factory was abandoned.

After 1999, the gas factory was restored and became an industrial museum and a cultural center, a fact that led to the development of the surrounding area as well. Today, Technopolis is site that hosts many cultural activities of all kinds.

Technopolis is where Synch Festival, Athens Fashion Week, Athens Jazz Festival and many other festivals take place. It is the place where the heart of Athens beats. Especially from spring and on, almost every night there is something to do in Technopolis. Sometimes with free entrance, sometimes with expensive tickets. Even if there is no event going on a walk around the old factory and a beer in the cafeteria is worth it!

Ariston is one of the oldest snack places in Athens. You can tell from its decoration, which I believe has stayed the same for many many years. Ariston is famous amongst old athenians as the shop with the best cheese pie in Athens. I remember as a kid ending our Saturday shopping morning in the nearby Ermou street, with a cheese pie from Ariston.

Today, Ariston pies have the same quality as the old days. In Ariston you will find not only cheese pies, but a great variety of many different pies. The pie is a the traditional greek snack, but also can be served as a main/side dish.

Inoteka is located in Avyssinias square, one of the most special squares of Athens. While in the morning it is crowded with antique/vintage furniture stores, at night it is quiet.

Inoteka opens when the night is falling. With its tables on the square and the low lights glowing, Inoteka offers good drinks but also great cocktails. The specialties are Mojito and Marguerita (which is served in a shaker so you get two glasses of the cocktail!).

The music spans from jazzy tunes to more electronica, avant garde and more. Inoteka has a profile on myspace with some music choices that you can find here.

The ambiance might be relaxed or party-like, depending on the night. Inoteka is my preferred choice when the night is smooth, and I’m in the mood for some loungy chit chat with friends. My preferred drink is a cocktail!

The commercial triangle of Athens is – as denoted by its name – the market place of Athens. The “peaks” of the triangle are the three main squares of the city: Omonoia, Syntagma and Monastiraki.

The commercial triangle was used by the old Athenians for their daily shopping of all goods. Varvakeios, the meat market, the fish market and the popular Ermou street- which is the main commercial road of Athens are located here. What I specifically find interesting is that the area is mainly organized the old way: each street is “themed” for specific goods: in Vyssis str. you will find stores that sell doorknobs of every kind, in Praxitelous str. shops with lamps, in Karageorgi Servias shops with fabrics and in Agiou Markou shops with low budget clothes and shoes.

Whenever I walk around these streets I always bring to my mind the old days when you had to walk around to find everything you need instead of going to a super market or a mall, that is why sometimes I decide to shop in this area. Lately the area gets really lively during the night as well, with many bars scattered in the narrow streets.

Priza (= plug in Greek) is one of the first places in the once well hidden Karytsi square.

Located just opposite of the square, Priza is one of my favorite and most familiar places in the city.

The nights in Priza can be fun, smooth but I particularly love it when they are transformed into a party out of nowhere.

The weekend here starts on Thursday, with beloved indie and Britpop sounds. With some tables outside on the pavement I like the great view to the “traffic” on the square. Priza is one of my “city optimizers”