Fun and entertainment Dodecanese

In an authentic Rhodian building overlooking ancient Byzantine and Ottoman walls, Matthias has created a wine and cocktail bar that has become a mainstay of Rhodian nightlife. In a hushed, jazzy atmosphere, lovers of the good life, travelers passing through and notables of the island meet to enjoy a well-stocked menu. French references for the wine, and delicious house cocktails, some inspired by local spirits. After midnight, the mood turns groovy and the party begins at L'Eternel... with a view of infinity!

This bar, located in an old medieval cellar with beautiful stone arches, is an institution for evenings in Chora. Tables invade the main square of the upper city in the late afternoon: people come here to drink the last frappé of the day or the first ouzo of the evening, at the time of the aperitif. Then, as the evening progresses, the tables fill up, the cocktails flow, the night falls and the bar pulses to the sounds of conversations between friends, against a backdrop of Greek or international music.

The Rock is a small bar with a terrace overlooking the port, heading towards the landing stage. We go there in the second part of the evening to have a last drink and share a cocktail, just to change the ouzo of the ouzeries of the port. Also open during the day, you can have coffee and eat a few mezzedes. But it is above all the bar where you come to sleep when the others are about to close because Babis is open even out of season. A real Lipsi institution.

This cocktail bar is renowned for the quality of its alcohol blends and its convoluted aesthetics, a little overloaded and sometimes bordering on ridiculous. Indeed, here we don't take ourselves too seriously, and it's refreshing. Pleasantly located on the port of Kos-ville, one comes there in the early evening to enjoy an aperitif and to watch passers-by, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Later, as the night progresses, the evenings take a more festive turn and the volume rises, while remaining pleasant. An address appreciated by all.

This traditional kafeneio has been installed on the docks since the 1980s. It remains open all year round and is therefore not exclusively oriented towards tourism. We sit there for hours on the terrace to drink coffee and watch the boats and the world pass by. Very good homemade mezzedes are available: perfect for a light lunch break or to accompany the ouzo at the end of the day. Café Elpida is also famous for its good desserts and friendly atmosphere. Greek coffee is prepared according to the rules of the art.

This modern café, popular with the locals, is located in Chora opposite the mills. The pleasant shaded terrace is ideal for a cool break during the day or for fresh air after dark. The place is famous for its breakfast: try the very good homemade pougia , the typical filled breads of Astypalaia. You can also order an espresso or a cappuccino freddo worthy of the name. Finally, the desserts and sweets are outstanding, perfect for a snack. This is one of the few places that remains open all year round.

This small café-bar is one of the most authentic on the island and has managed to maintain its relaxed and jovial atmosphere despite the tourist and bobo boom of recent years. Located opposite the church of Maltezana, one comes here to socialise quietly over a real Greek coffee during the day and over a carafe of ouzo or raki in the evening. The accompanying mezzedes are very good, so don't hesitate to order again and again, especially considering the low prices. Some evenings, the atmosphere is festive when a few notes of rebetiko are played.

This beach bar is located on Lambi beach, next to the Artemis hotel. Here, you can enjoy deckchairs and umbrellas free of charge, as long as you consume something. There's plenty to choose from: breakfast, daytime snacks, cold coffee or cocktails... Lounge atmosphere, with a DJ at the turntables providing the kind of background music typical of this type of establishment "à la Mykonos". Live music events and concerts are regularly organized on certain evenings in high season.

You are in Sokratous Street, in the old Ottoman quarter, one of the busiest and certainly the most touristy streets in the old city. To flee, a priori! However, this small old café is a historical institution not to be missed. Paradoxically calm in these places, one drinks a real Turkish coffee, in full Ottoman immersion. It is also a kind of cabinet of curiosities, a real capernaum where you will find lots of small treasures. We will smoke the chicha there while admiring the pebble mosaic floors and letting time pass by.

Platanos is pleasantly located on the square of the famous Hippocratic tree. We appreciate its terraced tables, set in a paradoxically quiet setting given the central and tourist location of this establishment. We like to come for coffee or a drink in the evening, in the cool, to watch the world go by. The café-bistro often organizes concerts, especially jazz concerts. You can also have lunch or dinner there: it is a good quality table, which offers dishes a little more refined than the average tavern.

This pretty and pleasant café is located at the exit of Chora, on the road that leads to Livadia: the view on the back of the kastro is magnificent from the shaded and serene terrace. Not to mention, of course, the panoramas of the blue waves that stretch as far as the eye can see. We come here especially for its desserts and other sweet creations, famous throughout the island, with good reason! Another major asset of this friendly place: its ideal location to see the full moon rise on the fortress. A magical moment not to be missed, if you have the opportunity

It's an ideallylocated kafeneio where Chora locals and visitors alike love to gather. A magical moment to share in a magnificent setting, at the foot of the citadel and facing the infinite sea. In the shade of the tall trees, you can sit on the terrace for a cup of café frappé at the end of the day, or a glass of tsipouro after dark. It's also a great place to watch the sunset in peace and quiet. To round things off, you can share a few tasty dishes and mezzedes .

From the outside, you will only see a medieval building with an austere appearance. But go through the carriage entrance and enter the world of Macau. Here is the trendy bar-booth of the old town where people flock to show themselves, sip a cocktail at the counter of the inner courtyard, in a chic and festive atmosphere, before dancing until the end of the night to eclectic music. House lovers will be happy to know that this is the preferred style of the house. You will come across everything Rhodes does, from beautiful nightclubs in heels to slick golden boys.

The Rainbird is a café-bar that also serves food, more for a light lunch or brunch than a real gourmet break. The small menu offers a few salads, sandwiches and mezzedes, but the main reason for coming here is to have a drink. It's simple, but the view over the bay is magnificent, in the shade of bougainvillea and a little away from the tourist overflow when the season is in full swing. A good place to take a cool break when it's too hot or before setting off to climb the acropolis.

Located at the entrance to Kantouni beach, this café-bar only has a name and darts advertisement. It is the meeting place for the young - and not so young - people on the island to have a cocktail or a drink in the evening. A real institution since 1978, Rock and Blues promises a moment of relaxation, in the calm of the Kalymnian night. Of course very well placed to enjoy the sunset as well. The area offers some dining options, including a fairly famous steak sandwich, but it won't be your best culinary option around.

This little café-bar is well named. It is indeed hidden on the foothills of Horio, on the road that goes down to Pedi: a shaded courtyard under the arbour brings freshness and calm. It is an establishment that is maintained year after year, and that locals and tourists also appreciate. We stop there to drink coffee in the courtyard, have breakfast, have a light lunch break with delicious mezzedes or drink the ouzo after a hard day's holiday. In the evening, live music is regularly scheduled.

Without a doubt the best cocktail bar in Symi: on the quay leading to the shipyard, Tsati is a real gem. You can drink your aperitif with your feet in the water, facing the red and golden hills of the port at the end of the day. The waves lapping gently on the multicoloured boats while you sip a granita or a house cocktail. The owner of the place, Michalis, makes it a point of honour to serve only sophisticated cocktails: you won't find a standard mojito here. Beware of the high prices though.

The island's must-see spot: located at the end of the quays and at the foot of the mosque, the Faros is topped by a small lighthouse that marks the entrance to the port. It's the place to be in the morning for a cup of coffee, then again in the warmer hours of the day for a refreshing swim: deckchairs and parasols are set out on the terrace, and ladders give direct access to the crystal-clear waters of the bay. In the evening, the bar comes alive at aperitif time and stays open until late, with live music on some evenings.

On the beach of Platy Gialos, this beach bar has been welcoming holidaymakers since 1980, with an ever-changing friendliness. During the day, you can drink fresh fruit juices, have a snack and enjoy the deckchairs available to customers. In the early evening, you can sit and have an aperitif while watching the sun go down. The palm tree umbrellas, the tiki bar atmosphere and the general relaxation contribute to the success of the place. We won't keep it quiet any longer: it's simply a good place to be. Concerts on certain evenings.

This small café in Massouri offers fresh fruit juices and smoothies (some made exclusively with fruit and vegetables from Kalymnos), as well as full breakfasts and a number of organic dishes, particularly suited to climbers and other sports enthusiasts. A very successful healthy food approach. You'll also find good puff pastries and filled rolls to take away: very practical for a day's picnic, whether at the beach or on the climbing routes. The café's few tables fill up quickly in the mornings at the height of the season.