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Karitsi Square - a place for fun and friends

14 May 2010 / 09:05:33  GRReporter
9379 reads

Victoria Mindova

Athens is famous not only for its Ancient history, but for its wild nightlife, which offers a variety of pleasures for many different people. Everyone, who has visited Greek capital at least once, must has passed through the usual tourist routes – the colorful markets of Monastiraki, the cafes in Thisio overlooking the Acropolis, the bars in Psiri, and lately in Gazi. All these places are well known and loved, noisy and full of life and people during every hour of the day, but the new favorite place for an evening of Mojitos (for example) and meeting friends is a Karitsi square. 

In the heart of capital between Stadiu boulevard and Kolokotroni street lies the small Karitsi square, which shelters some of the best Athenian bars and cafes. If you are wondering what is so different about this part of the capital, the answer is easy. The spirit in the air. Fresh youthful atmosphere that does not know an age limit. Nice smiling people with whom you can always start up an interesting conversation in different languages. Music, to which you can enjoy your cocktail in the summer or company to dance with until your feet start hurting. There is something for everyone. GRReporter recommends three bars, which have been tested and have all the prerequisites to spend a great evening in the city and meet new people. 

USE is a small bar hidden at first sight, which can be called one of the pearls of Karitsi Square. The inside is really small, but visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of the outside tables in the late afternoon of the day. During the evening those tables become the center of modern assembly of young people, artists, musicians and actors and if you accidentally sit on a table beside them there is always a possibility you will have new interesting friends on the next day. After long study and tastings I can safely say that USE serves the best Mojito and Caipirinha in the city. If you are fond of classic 50's and 60's rock & roll you can visit USE every Thursday and surely your feet will unwind from twist and shout-dancing. On Friday and Saturday music follows along the nineties, indie wave of British pop, and depending on atmosphere and the mood of visitors the music can change to James, Depeche Mode, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pulp, IMF and other favorite tunes. On Sunday, when all are resting and you feel the insatiable thirst for some techno you can go to USE, where after 11:00PM you can get your dose of electronic sound, without your ears hurting all week after that. 

Πριζα (Briza) or literally "power outlet" is another cozy place where you can gather with friends or go alone to spend a pleasant evening. Furthermore, if your cell phone battery has run out or your laptop needs to be plugged in, there will always be available free outlet for you. Although the atmosphere is similar to the one in USE, Briza is mostly visited by students. The outside tables and the dry bar are on the sidewalk, so if you're in the mood to look around and discuss passers-by (gossipy, but sometimes an exciting thing to do) you can feel free to find a strategic place to enjoy the view. 

Between the two bars USE and Briza you can find the modern bistro Beat, which is housed in the building of theater Moushouri. Except for nice cocktails there, you can even grab a bite, because Beat offers gourmet lunch and evening menu. Owners of the bistro are two of the most popular and successful Greek comedians Sakis Boulas and Yannis Zhouganelis, which contributes to the fame of Beat. The age of the bar/restaurant visitors is higher than that of Briza, but in no way does this mean that it will be less fun if you choose the actors’ bistro. Beat has an underground level, which works as a night club. There music from the 70s, 80s and to some extent the 90s comes to live and if you want to get acquainted with the Greek hits of that time, your choice should be Beat.

Tags: Athens Greece nightlife bar restaurant Mojito
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