Baba au Rum

Baba au Rum is one of the best-known cocktail bars in Athens, and its focus is right there in the name. Set on Klitiou Street, between Syntagma and Monastiraki, it has been named one of the World's 50 Best Bars and was a top-four nominee for Best International High Volume Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. The official city guide describes it as an award-winning cocktail bar with infectious tropical vibes.

Rum is the speciality, and the bar holds one of the largest rum selections in Europe, according to the official city guide. The cocktails use locally sourced herbs and fruits, and the bar is particularly known for its Mai Tais and daiquiris, which are a good test of any rum bar. If you are a rum lover, ask the bartenders to recommend something neat from the shelves; if you prefer cocktails, tell them what flavours you enjoy and let them suggest a drink.

The atmosphere is lively and friendly rather than hushed, with a tropical feel that suits a warm Athenian night. It is a high-volume bar, as the award nomination suggests, which means it gets busy and loud, especially after midnight and at weekends. Arrive earlier in the evening if you want a seat and time to talk to the bartenders about the menu. Prices are in line with the city's other leading cocktail bars.

Baba au Rum opens every day from 19:00 until 03:00, so it works both for an early-evening drink and as a late stop on a night out. It suits groups of friends, couples and solo travellers who enjoy a buzzing bar, but it is not the right choice for a quiet conversation late at night.

Klitiou Street is a short walk from both Syntagma and Monastiraki metro stations. The streets around it are full of bars, including The Clumsies a few minutes away on Praxitelous Street, so it is easy to combine two or three of the city's best bars in one evening on foot. Because it opens only in the evening, it pairs well with dinner nearby, and the late closing time means there is rarely any need to rush.