Where can we find a performance of Greek music and/or dancing in Athens, in October?
When I visited Athens a million years ago, was joyously scooped up by a partying group of young Greeks celebrating (or rather, bemoaning) the beginning of a guy's military service. They invited me on their bar-hopping, hard-drinking blowout, driving while completely blasted with ouzo or some such thing, no less. Having survived it, now it looks like the best time ever. The music! the dancing! the clapping! the singing! Unbeatable.
SO... unable to provide my (adult) daughter with such a serendipitous event, the next best thing would be to at least find some Greek music venue. But all I see are a few possible restaurants with unlikely music. Especially difficult in October.
Would love any suggestions you might have, thank you.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3899 posts
In the Psyri neighborhood, northwest of Monastiraki Square, you'll find some restaurants and bars with live Greek music. It's mostly geared toward tourists, but it can be a good time if you're into that.
Psyri is this area right here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZiyxPHp489fW8D2j7
No need to spend hours searching for a specific spot, it's mostly pedestrian streets, so just walk around and follow your ears. :-)
If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you can wander a little further into other Athens neighborhoods where you'll find musicians playing rebetiko.
Triporto in the Kerameikos neighborhood (depending on their schedule/lineup):
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BougoYMswxgFRP1P8
Or Aggelos Restaurant in the Exarchia neighborhood:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tsEfS7bZpC3c4A9t8
But I should point out that Rebetiko isn't always particularly cheerful and upbeat music. It's much closer to the blues or Portuguese Fado, meaning it might be a tad less "let's get this party started!" than what you have in mind. :-)
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thanks for these suggestions! I don't care whether it's rollicking or soulful: either or both would satisfy this longing. Will be checking out everything you mention.
In fact fado was tops in my recent trip to Portugal, so rebetiko sounds wonderful. [Although fado did not seem as blues-y as I had anticipated; more lyrical, sweet. Really charming.]