The Coolest Bars in Lesbos, Greece
A holiday on Greek’s third-largest island, Lesbos, is spent meandering between fishing villages and lounging on perfect sandy beaches, before lining up the cocktails at one of its low-key bars.
Lesbos has earned its place in ancient and modern-day mythology. Some 2,600 years ago, the legendary Greek poet Sappho, who wrote erotic poetry about women, was born in the small village of Eresos. The terms ‘lesbian’ and ‘sapphic’ are directly linked to the island and the poet, respectively. Its nightlife is low-key compared to on other Greek islands, but features atmospheric watering holes, including – quite rightly – a lesbian bar that’s the centre of gay nightlife in Lesbos. Here are the coolest bars in Lesbos, Greece, today.
1. Parasol Beach Bar
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Greek, Pub Grub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer
2. Belle Ville Cafe
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Greek
3. Flamingo Beach Bar
Bar, Cocktails
From the pink deck chairs on its seafront terrace offering an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean, to the kitsch, brightly painted interior filled with lanterns, Flamingo is hard to miss. It’s long been a hub of lesbian culture on the island, transforming from a chilled cafe by day to a hip bar by night, with nightly DJ performances in the summer, quiz nights and owners who greet you like a long-lost friend. It’s a mostly female crowd, but everyone’s welcome.
4. BarCode Espresso & Cocktail Bar
Cafe, Bar, Coffee
Two blocks from the waterfront in the port of Mytilene, this snug, subtly lit, stone-walled cafe-bar serves excellent espresso by day and morphs into a stylish cocktail bar come evening. The bartenders mix classic and original cocktails – try the tropical Jack Sparrow – using a vast array of high-end spirits (including the very local Mastic Tears), while the resident cat oversees proceedings, and jazz, swing and funk tunes add to the ambience. For more intimate seating, head to the alleyway outside.
5. Molly’s bar
Bar, Pub, Greek
6. Mousiko Kafeneio Art Cafe Bar
Bar, Cafe, Greek, Coffee, Tea , Fast Food
7. FishEye
Bar, Cafe, Greek
Vinyl records and musical instruments adorn the walls at this well-established cafe-bar in Mitilini’s Old Town. Local students and professionals stop by for specialty coffees, a tap on the laptop and a quick meal of quesadillas or burgers during the day. You can join them, or get the bartenders to mix you one of their infamous rum-based cocktails and nurse it on the seafront terrace. Look out for live DJ sets on Wednesdays and Fridays.
8. Misirlou
Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary
A traditional stone house on the edge of Molyvos harbour hides a quirky interior, with playful touches like a cheese grater for a ceiling lamp. This buzzy, American-run spot has won numerous local fans with its stellar cocktails and sea views from the balcony. The Kamikaze, White Lady and Cosmopolitan cocktails are particularly popular, but the must-try is the Sexy Spritzaki: the Misirlou take on a spritz, with a couple of secret ingredients.
If you like the sound of Lesbos check out the best things to see and do in the area, before going to some of the best restaurants on offer. If you feel like exploring further afield, head to Athens and choose between a range of hotels, including boutique accommodation, all bookable through Culture Trip. Make sure to see some of the capital’s most historical sites before you leave.
This is a rewrite of an article originally written by Chrisa Theodoraki
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