The New Year will come your way wherever you may be. It could be at a fine restaurant, cocktail party, live jazz event, or on the street. Here’s some insight on the various things Athenians could get up to on the last day of 2016 and first hours of 2017.

On the road

In Athens, the New Year’s arrival is officially ushered in at Thiseio square, within close range of the lit Acropolis. When the Athens mayor Giorgos Kaminis completes the official countdown, the fireworks display will have taken over the sky. Warm-up proceedings begin at 10pm with mood-booster performances by well-known Greek acts, followed by a jazz concert, the year’s first, courtesy of the Athens Municipal Big Band.

INFO | Iraklidon & Apostolou Pavlou

Dancing and cocktails till the morning

The cocktail bar at the top of the A for Athens hotel is situated at an ideal height for a view of the Acropolis, the colorful neoclassical homes in the surrounding Plaka district, as well as the full scope of Monastiraki square – as if from a low-level cloud. The DJ set here will begin with soul, funk and jazz, including a special Frank Sinatra slot, before unwinding for relentless house dance music to take the party all the way to dawn. The menu, which includes selections such as sweet pumpkin soup, salmon tartare and wild boar with prunes, offers value for money, while each dish can be matched with the ideal cocktail.

INFO | 2-4 Miaouli, Monastiraki • Tel. +30.210.3244.244 • €55 (menu), €70 (pairing menu)/per person

For something more artistic

Black Duck Multiplarte is a hip, art-friendly multi-space with a bar, restaurant, bistro and gallery. The establishment’s cheerful in-house band, the Black Ducklings, will be swinging between the tables during the New Year celebration. The cuisine is Mediterranean, while various mini menus will be offered on the night for greater versatility and choices – beef, pork and duck dishes. Individuals feeling sentimental on the last night of the year may head down to the basement and lose themselves at the quieter New Year handicraft art bazaar for a while.

INFO | 9a Christou Lada • Tel. +30.210.3234.760

For romantic souls

Upon the arrival of the New Year, the lights will go out in the fine French restaurant L’Αbreuvoir, established 52 years ago, before the owner, going by tradition, throws and smashes a pomegranate on the threshold of the main door. Candlelight dinners, exquisite service and French recipes such as Turkey stuffed with chestnut and pine nuts, or veloute soup with foie gras and truffle, may be enjoyed here. For wine enthusiasts, the wine menu includes treasures collected by the proprietor.

INFO | • 51 Xenokratous, Kolonaki • Tel. +30.210.7229.106 •  €105 per person (not including drinks)

For early sleepers

What happens when a multi-space venue for under-30 music lovers joins forces with a nomadic fashion market? A party! A few hours before the New Year sets in, Meet Market sets up at the Six Dogs venue for a fashionistas celebration. Young Greek fashion designers will present their handcrafted fashion and accessory products, even vinyl record collections, to the beat of DJ sounds.

INFO | 6-8 Avramiotou, Monastiraki 

Running into the New Year

Individuals who could not care less for New Year’s Eve celebrations may enter 2017 running – literally. Starting and finishing at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, 1,500 runners will take part in what should be an exciting 5-km race. Once the race is over, a big party with music and drinks will be held at the center.

INFO | • 364 Syngrou Ave, Kallithea •  https://www.eventora.com/el/ Events/snfcc-nye-run