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Best of Athens: Entertainment Part of the Places of a Lifetime series from Traveler magazine

Expert recommendations of the top dance, theater, and classical music performances.

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Bios
“Concerts, book launches, screenings, art performances, progressive music––the new alternative arts space in Athens.”—Fotis Georgeles, editor, Athens Voice. Vintage decor, eclectic events. Piraeus84; tel. +30 210 342 5335. www.bios.gr

Bouzoukia
Known as skyladika, or doghouses, devotees flock to these temples of kitsch (many lining Piraeus Street and Iera Odos) to worship a modern pantheon of Greek pop stars. “A noisy but uniquely Greek experience. Go late for the headliner; choose the singer, not the venue—Vasilis Karras, Yiannis Ploutarhos, Natassa Theodoridou, and Katy Garby have staying power.”—Diane Shugart, author, Athens by Neighborhood.

Herodes Atticus Theater
“Sitting in this ancient, open-air theater under the Acropolis on a moonlit summer evening, watching modern dance or an opera, is one of life’s great experiences.”—Sofka Zinovieff, author, Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens. When Pausanias visited Athens, he described the ‘Herodion’ as “the finest building of its type.” Dionysiou Areopagitou; tel. +30 210 324 1807. www.greekfestival.gr

Open-air cinemas
“A highlight of summer evenings. Scented by jasmine, watched by neighbors on their balconies, attended by all ages who eat, drink, and smoke their way through the movie. You couldn’t be anywhere but Athens and wouldn’t want to be.”—Sofka Zinovieff. Venues all over town. Open May-Oct.

Stoa ton Athanaton
“Right in the central market, great for anyone who wants a rembetiko (Greek blues) experience, but is not a late owl.”—Diane Shugart. Created by disillusioned, dope-smoking refugees from Asia Minor. Sophokleous 19; tel. +30 210 321 4362.

 

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