Does anyone know where we can hear live bouzouki music in Athens and/or traditional dancers. We will be there for three weeks in the beginning of April?
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Brighton, UK
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It might be useful if you could be a bit clearer about what kind of music / situation you were looking for. I’m not trying to be picky but the bouzouki is played quite widely in Greece. So
a) if you are looking for ‘zorba’s Dance’ type playing with people dancing in traditional costume you might want to look at places in Plaka. There are several in the area of Mniskleous, a left turn from Adrianou which is the main pedestrianised street through Plaka. The food in these places isn’t great but they can be fun.
b) you can also find places which have smaller bands playing rembetika - often described as the Greek blues. People aren’t dressed up and the food and prices are likely to be better. For example the Klimataria is good and fairly central.
There site is in Greek but there’s a video which will give an idea of the kind of music. One word of warning, it’s at the back of the market which isn’t particularly nice as an area at night. You might want to take a cab right to the door.
The Sigalas directly opposite Monastiraki metro station has live informal music most evenings. Generally a couple of people playing Greek folk. Depending who is there you might get a guitar and bouzouki but you might get two guitars. It’s a nice lively place anyway so worth a visit.
Psyrri, close to Monastiraki, has some places with live music especially on Sunday lunchtime / afternoon.
Alan