These are Athens’ new bars

In the basement of 6, Tsakalof Street - a stone’s throw from Kolonaki Square in central Athens - a scarlet door leads to the Red Door, a bar-restaurant with an air of private club that introduces the city to the ritual of the yakiniku. So take off your shoes and sit on one of the 7 “sunken” tables, where you can roast on the spot the meats of your choice yourself. Across the room, at the impressive white-marble bar, Japanese cocktails are made. In Aghion Theodoron Square, the central Quartier d’Athènes (7, Paleon Patron Germanou Street) is a café-bistro that seems to have come from another era – and quite convincingly so, as it exudes a “comfort” old-fashioned aura. It opens from the morning and loves jazz music and chic luxury. Still in the city center, in the much-frequented Karytsi Square, Moriarty just opened (1, Christou Lada Street, 2130406763): a bar where the old-school British and Scottish aesthetics dominate, from the plaid fabric of the stools to the names of cocktails (Picadilly, Mrs. Peel) to the excellent variety of British beers. Once you open the glass door leading to the Omu Kitchen Cocktails (54, Diligianni Street, Kifissia) in the northern suburbs, a painting depicting parrots welcomes you – besides, “omu” means “parrot” in Japanese. The cocktails are balanced (be sure to try the spicy Take Care and the fruity Berry Punch) and tie in well with the food, which includes dishes such as the Duckgonzola pizza (with mozzarella, gorgonzola, and oven-roasted duck) and the Spicy Crab Burger (with crabmeat, omelet and green peppers). In Piraeus, now, the fully refurbished RockFellas Excelsior (Marina Zeas, Piraeus) puts an emphasis on the elegant-rock element with leather sofas and marble stands. A total of 15 signature cocktails and a comprehensive spirit list with over 100 labels wait for you to enjoy them to the sounds of hip music.