Archives for “Music” tag

There are many reasons to visit taf: the events, the exhibitions, the good music but above all the space. This is one of the scarce spots in town where you can still see the internal yard which dominated in most of prewar buildings of Athens.

The building was constructed in 1870 and there have been done several renovations ever since.  It is the only remaining I have seen of this type of internal yards. People, back then, in those inner yards might have come from a total different background but the yard would unite them. That’s the reason why the yard used to consist a symbol for Greeks and especially Athenians of this era.

The old image does not affect at all the contemporary orientation of this multispace. Exhibitions of Greek and international visual artists, performances, live concerts and several other events are taking place there. For more information visit the website. Beside the cultural events, taf is one of the best places in the center to enjoy your coffee or your drink.

This is a spot that some days I love and others I hate it. K44 is a dirty, filthy space that has become one of the most hip bars in town. It is now considered as one of the classic cases of finding an empty warehouse and turning it into a bar.

When τώρα k44 opened its doors it was the ultimate hipster destination until it became mainstream and was transformed into a noisy club. Since the day I went there and I faced gate keepers and a huge crowd waiting outside it took me some years to visit it again. The motive to return was an event, a gig of Kid Flicks (gr) and Slow Magic (USA) with a free ticket. There were few people, good music and the whole atmosphere took me back to the first days of k44.

Whichever edition of k44 you prefer, the old one or the new mainstream, the main reason to be there is the events. Concerts and dj sets of any kind (hip hop, post rock, experimental, dub step, even Greek trash) are hosted there. If you are searching for the best events of Athens check what’s going on at k44.

Ever wondered if a time machine really exists? Well, Blue Fox is probably the closest you’ll ever get to the time-machine trip back to the fifties and sixties.

This is quite a new bar in Athens, opened up 3 years ago and for Athens it was without any doubt something new. Here you will listen and dance to music from Rock and Roll, Swing, Jive, Boogie, Rockabilly, Rythm & Blues, Boogie Woogie, Surf over Old Latino, Western Swing, Sixties Soul until Country and Western. Intrigued?

Decorated of course in the 50′s style, with old phones and other ornaments just lying around you will feel wonderfully ‘misplaced’. Hope you’re lucky and get the chance to visit this bar in one of its SWING parties where the Rockabilly fans of Athens will give you a fantastic spontaneous dance show.

I always arrive out of breath at this bar longing for a beer to feel better. It is a little bit up the hill so get ready for some exercise (OK, I don’t want to scare you off, I am exaggerating). There is a big and old bike outside the door that makes me always think, are you kidding me? No way I am coming here by bike!

Embedded in vintage decoration, pictures of jazz musicians, CDs and jazz music (at exactly the right volume) you will most probably stay there until they throw you out. They are quite strict with the curfew. Of course I have to warn you. The big nights out it is full and as it is not too big, finding a seat is indeed a victory.

Right when you walk into the bar take a look at the doorphone. You will find names of all great musicians. Sometimes, yep they do live there.

If you find yourself lost in the northern suburbs of Athens not knowing where to go, passing by the PLAY cafe is not such a bad idea!

As the name itself already announces, PLAY likes to play. It is over the top decorated with ornaments, little children’s toys and just mostly anything you can imagine. On Fridays and Saturdays it is always full to the top and it might happen that you won’t even find a place to sit. If the weather is not too bad you can also sit outside where they have made a small – let’s call it – garden area as the bar-cafe is located somewhere a little bit hidden between buildings and shops.

One negative thing: at the beginning you might feel as a total stranger when you realize that everyone knows everyone in there. But don’t feel bad, I’ve known this place for years, still nobody knows me and my beer always tastes good! Ah! and the music, always a good selection of alternative/rock and sometimes even more.