Fall marks a bustling time in the world of bars, with one global event following another. From London Cocktail Week to Bar Convent Berlin, The World’s 50 Best Bars announcement, and the highly anticipated Athens Bar Show— an event that had long been on my must-visit list. I’d heard it ranked among the finest in Europe, so there was no question—I had to experience the famed Greek hospitality in Athens.
We arrived in Athens just as a ‘tropical’ summer wave was tapering off, enjoying pleasant temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius all week. It was a delightful change from the gloomy fall weather back in Prague. Purposefully arriving a day earlier, we aimed to explore bars listed in The World’s 50 Best Bars, dodging the peak crowds. But before diving into the bar scene, we embraced our tourist personas, visiting significant landmarks and capturing enough photos to narrate our cultural and historical immersion. Athens, with its sheer size and expanse, left me awestruck, especially learning that it’s home to around three to four and a half million people. I admit, before arriving, I envisioned Athens as a larger Greek village.
After touring the sights and enjoying a late lunch, a brief moment at the beach allowed us to recharge amid the setting sun and the soothing sound of waves. As darkness fell, we dove into Athens’ vibrant bar scene.
Our first stop was Line Athens, ranked twelfth in The World’s 50 Best Bars this year. Luckily, arriving early meant the place was lightly filled. Externally, it didn’t seem particularly striking, not hinting at what lay inside. We had covered Line’s concept and its creators in our last issue, so I won’t delve into it here. But it’s precisely my kind of place—a spot that operates all day, cleverly designed space, great coffee, excellent drinks, fantastic food, and impeccable service. We felt at home, part of the Greek bar family, an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Then we visited Clumsies, Baba Au Rum, Barro Negro, Seven Jokers, For Athens. Honestly, by the time we arrived, all the bars were packed, so writing a detailed report seemed somewhat futile. Bars during bar shows operate differently, and having high expectations isn’t very sensible. Nevertheless, we met numerous people from the global bar scene and our Slovakian bar family, warming up a bit before the much-anticipated Athens Bar Show. Frankly, had we warmed up a bit less, perhaps nothing untoward would have happened. 🙂
Alarm set for 8:30, breakfast, excellent coffee, and our inaugural ride on the Greek metro to the venue. We had purchased tickets online for both days, so the accreditation process took only a few seconds. Nothing could deter us from the two-day celebration of the bartending craft—filled with seminars, workshops, and meetings with people from around the world.
Most of the event took place outdoors, and the ambiance upon arrival was delightful. The weather and sunshine set the mood right from the entrance—a vast industrial space of old warehouses and factories showcasing beautiful bars with one brand after another. Everywhere, speakers played pleasant electronic music. For a moment, you’re not sure if you’re at a bar show or a festival.
Comparing BCB to the Athens Bar Show, I must say Athens is smaller but much more accessible. The atmosphere is more enjoyable, and it doesn’t feel like a car show. BCB has become a colossal event where it’s easy to get lost. However, the Athens Bar Show offers a more engaging and navigable experience.
There were four presentation stages in Athens—one main and three secondary ones. The main hall accommodated around three hundred people, ensuring ample space for lectures, something we appreciated. Other venues allowed for five hundred visitors at lectures and workshops simultaneously. As for the lectures themselves, the lineup was packed, and if I wanted to listen to everyone I was interested in, I wouldn’t have moved from my spot throughout the bar show. However, the goal of my visit hasn’t been about free drinks for a long time. I’m primarily into intriguing lectures and discussions with people I usually encounter in the online world. Generally, the drinks at bar shows are very weak and uninteresting. However, Athens was different, and I must say most drinks we had a chance to taste were really good, served on great ice with a good balance and interesting combinations. Besides drinks, we found an interesting booth showcasing textures and enzymes that could enrich the diversity and innovation of our ingredients and cocktails. Booths offering bar clothing, aprons, and shakers weren’t absent. Some things were genuinely nice and inventively designed.
You won’t starve here either, with several food trucks offering street food at the back, efficiently serving everyone. Moreover, there were many traditional Greek and international restaurants nearby. The food options were diverse and just a few meters away.
Among the lectures, I particularly liked the one where Ago Perrone shared his experiences from Connaught Bar, where he has worked for over fifteen years. Monica Berg’s talk on the opening of a new bar was also great. Margarita Sader’s presentation revealing insights from the creative process at Paradiso Barcelona was excellent. Learning about their approach to creating a new menu was very interesting. Angus Winchester, in his ‘Kinetic Hospitality,’ talked about how the bartending craft is constantly evolving, yet operates on the same simple principles of operation and hospitality. I attended many others that reinforced my long-held beliefs. When you do something properly, consciously, honestly, and persistently, believing in what you do, things will work out. The entire show was another motivation for me to continue on the path of the bar life.
When you’ve had enough of lectures, workshops, masterclasses, and all possible drink tastings, and it seems (at least according to the schedule) the show is coming to an end, you realize it’s all just beginning. The music starts picking up, and the party is just getting started. Add five thousand people to that, and you know you’re in for some evening entertainment. At this point, naively, we wanted to give overcrowded bars a second chance. If they were overcrowded the day before the bar show, it’s probably unnecessary to explain how it looked during its duration. Every bar hosts one guest shift after another, and the entire global bar scene essentially revolves around ten bars throughout the city. A celebration of bartending over three endless days and nights.
And in conclusion? I definitely recommend visiting the Athens bar show. Unique atmosphere, relaxed mood, a great program filled with lectures, workshops, and masterclasses. If you want to see the real face of the world’s best bars located in this city, I suggest arriving a few days earlier. During the bar show, it’s an entirely different experience. Besides bars, there are fantastic cafes and bistros offering a huge range of interesting concepts and inspiration. When buying tickets, I must mention, if you pay an additional 15 euros per day for VIP tickets, it entitles you to access the Luxury Pavilion and VIP lounge. Don’t look for the VIP lounge and save yourself 30 euros, as it was the weakest part of the entire project.
See you in Athens next time! Jamas!”
PHOTO: Athens Bar Show
