This text is part of the article “And the Living is A-Z”, published in Greece-Is Athens, Summer 2018 Edition. By Paulina Björk Kapsalis, Maria Coveou, Nena Dimitriou, Alex King, Maria Korachai, Pagona Lipsati & Alexandra Tzavella.

It’s hard to pick favorites among the city’s many rooftop bars, so many of which feature great views of the Acropolis. It’s not just that there’s so many choices, it’s that these places all have different styles as well.

Bios (84 Pireos) serves fun drinks and alcoholic popsicles, and hosts all kinds of events, from live shows with upcoming artists to yoga sessions to experimental movie nights during which you watch silent movies while listening to special DJ sets via headphones.

At A for Athens (2 Miaouli) in Monastiraki Square, you can tip back excellent cocktails while enjoying a view of the square, the Plaka area, and the Acropolis. Their latest cocktail menu, created by head barman Thodoris Pirillos, is called “Odyssey: A trip back to the roots,” and is inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, with exotic flavors such as seaweed and mahleb.

Though it’s close to Monastiraki Square, Couleur Locale (3 Normanou) isn’t easy to find; the entrance is hidden at the end of a short arcade flanked by curio shops. As a result, fewer tourists find their way to this colorful terrace, though plenty of locals choose it for their specialty coffee and long drinks.