Mata Hari has a 30-year-old history in the bar business, yet you will find no traveller dropping by, and as far as the locals are concerned, only the liquor and coffee connoisseurs will know about it. It is in a sense what one would call a “destination bar”, since it is located at the less known, western part of Thessaloniki, in the municipality of Menemeni.

The minute you set your eye on it, you know this is a great place to have a unique cocktail, an artisan beer or a perfect cold-brew coffee. The selection of drinks is phenomenal — with spirits -literally- handpicked by Stelios and Thanassis, the bar owners, from their travels abroad. Mata Hari is renowned for its expertise in signature cocktails, so you should definitely give them a try and allow yourselves to be amazed. The decoration has the welcoming feel of an English pub or a typical American bar, with a long wooden bar, beautiful stained glass lamps and vintage details all gathered across the years from different parts of the world. I love visiting Mata Hari during the weekdays, firstly because Stelios and the rest of the friendly crew will have the time to explain their potions and recipes and most importantly because Mata (Mata Hari’s golden retriever and official mascot) will discreetly demand attention and love while I am having my freshly cut coffee.

Mata Hari is the local pub down the road with the service and unprecedented quality of a 5* hotel bar.