Insider tips: Athens has more than just Ancient ruins!

Meet Ilias, a native Greek who teaches yoga and pilates in his hometown of Athens. A local host on misterb&b, he loves to share great information with visitors!

What makes Athens a favorite gay destination?
Athens is a vivid and erotic city. This combination makes the city an ideal gay destination. You can feel it in the air even more in spring and summer when everybody is hanging out at the numerous open space bars of the city, the best places to have fun, flirt and enjoy the good weather and fine drinks. With all the travelers and visitors around the city is transformed into an international – multicultural hive with people who love to live and love to love.

What is the best gay event that takes place in Athens?
Athens pride that takes place every summer (the next is scheduled for the 11th of June). It is a colorful festival that is spread out to the largest part of the city’s historical center.

What is your favorite gay establishment to grab a bite for lunch?
Rooster, an all day gay hangout for pasta, pizza & comfort food, located at “Aghia Irini” one of the most trendy piazzas of the city just 2 min walk from Monastiraki metro station at the foot of the Acropolis.

Best gay bar for a cheap beer?
Arhangelos at Kimonos street is a cozy gay bar at the historic neighborhood of Akadimia Platonos just 1 km away from the crowded gay village of Gazi. Is a nice place to meet local gays, listen to Greek music and enjoy drinks at reasonable prices.

Best gay bar for a refreshing cocktail?
Shamone is one of the most popular gay bars of the city with excellent cocktails. Is located at the trendy area of Gazi. Though not pure gay but for sure a gay friendly bar is “Ble Papagalos” which means the blue parrot, at the upcoming neighborhood of Kerameikos. This place has delicious cocktails and a great ambience as well.

Which famous gay person is from Athens?
The choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou who directed the opening ceremonies of Athens Olympics 2004 and the European Games of Baku 2015 is a gay Greek artist with an outstanding international career.

Ready to go dancing--what is the best gay dance club?
The Apartment club at Gazi has two stages. The one is proper for socializing but if you go at the underground stage then you can’t avoid dancing. Two blocks away from Apartment club is the Sodade club, one of the first gay clubs of the city that was recently renovated and hosts cheerful parties. 

Which gay bar offers the best happy hour on a Wednesday?
Ginger Ale is a gay friendly bar at Exarheia square. The decoration inspired from the 50’s is very interesting and the drinks are fine. Every Wednesday there is a happy time from 20.00 to 23.00.

Where to start a gay tour in your home city?
Definitely  from Gazi. Though it became much more mainstream the last years, the neighborhood of Gazi (holds the name from the old factory of Gas) where the first gay village of the city was born, still has the most gay venues. At the neighborly area of Kerameikos someone may continue his gay tour and discover some original gay places.

Best place to socialize with the local gay community?
Alexander Sauna at Kerameikos neighborhood is one of the favorite gay spots for socializing and meeting both Greeks and foreigners

Best place to be surrounded by the local gays?
Limanakia nudist’s beach near Vouliagmeni is one of Athens’ well kept secrets. Is a beautiful place with rocks and dozens of tiny bays very popular to gay men. Someone may choose either to enjoy the sea and the sun “hidden” with his company at a small bay or get connected with the city’s gay community. The only thing that has to do is to take the bus no 122 from Elliniko metro station and stop at Limanakia B, bus stop. Bathing suit is optional.

How gay-friendly is your home city?
Athens is a gay friendly city. The number of the gay venues and a significant amount of gay population are confirming this.

A gay place for brunch on weekends?
Mama Roux is a gay friendly bistro at Aiolou street the heart of the historic and commercial center of the city. The brunch is very tasty and is served every Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00.

What is gay life like in Athens?
Gay life in Athens is pleasant, colorful and full of options. Trendy clubs, cozy bars and cafes, original drag shows, saunas, outdoor places for meetings and many more… is impossible that one will get bored.

What are your favorite gay venues in Athens?
My favorite gay place is not a venue but a beach. The beach of Limanakia. There I can enjoy at the same time the sea, the sun and the gay life.