CLASSY APERITIFS

Appaloosa Restaurant & Bar

We may have fallen in love with it for its spicy Mexican cuisine, but it’s also a fun and cool place to enjoy an icy margarita, an authentic caipirinha or a perfectly balanced mojito. The ethnic touch, after all, is always appreciated, especially on a small island. • Tel. (+30) 22890.270.86

Buddha Bar Beach

Ornos may seem a bit of a slog for a drink, but the Mykonos branch of the well-known chain makes the trip worthwhile. Located in the Santa Marina Hotel, this is an alternative proposal for a night out. Don’t be discouraged by the dinner service that goes on until midnight; the belly dancers will soon be drawing the crowd over to the bar and heating things up. • Tel. (+30) 22890.232.20 

Interni

Italian architect and designer Paola Navone is the creative force behind the island’s loveliest garden bar-restaurant, which has been around for 16 years in the center of Chora. It’s the perfect place for a classic drink under the Mykonos sky, and music that’s uplifting without being too in-your-face. For a no airs, no cares night out. • Tel. (+30) 22890.263.33

Sunken Watermelon 

Celebrity mixologist Christos Houseas has created a conceptual bar inside the five-star Belvedere Mykonos Hotel to mark its 20th anniversary. The list consists of just six cocktails with names inspired by the hotel’s history, but despite the limited selection, you will be rewarded by the quality of the inspired drinks. • Tel. (+30) 22890.251.22 

SUNSET IS MY FAVORITE COLOR

Caprice

The young ‘uns start gathering in the late afternoon, so by early evening the party is steaming ahead at this famous spot in Little Venice, with the fun and flirty crowds sloshing their cocktails around and catching the spray from the waves crashing down below. • Tel. (+30) 22890.235.41

Remezzo

Α Mykonos institution since 1967, renowned all over the world for its legendary parties, this restaurant-bar has been relaunched at the same location, near the old harbor, along with its “little brother” Remezzaki. It still offers its affluent clientele amazing sunset views, haute cuisine and amazing chilled champagne cocktails.
• Tel. (+30) 22890.257.00

Toy Room

The Mykonos branch of a nightclub chain with venues in London and Dubai, located in the oh-so-beautiful Little Venice area, is pretty and vibrant, cosy space, styled up to look like a living room. After midnight the music really kicks in, but it also specializes in pre-party parties (yes, this is a category) around sunset.
• Tel. (+30) 694.438.5959

IN THE MOOD 

Astra Mykonos

It’s impossible to talk about a night out in Chora without paying tribute to this understated nightlife powerhouse – established in 1987. Chill in the ample front yard around the famous Tria Pigadia (Three Wells) or enjoy a cocktail while trying to spot the celebrity at the two sought-after VIP booths to the left and right of the front door, the ones who are ordering fine champagne by the crate. Better yet just dance the night away to music intended to get you up and jumping in the fantastic little “cave”, complete with twinkling stars above. • Tel. (+30) 698.244.0540

Queen of Mykonos

People-watch like there’s no tomorrow while sipping on amazing cocktails and enjoying loud, soulful house music: It doesn’t get more Mykonian than this little venue, right in the center of everything, at Tria Pigadia. • Tel. (+30) 694.907.8018

Scarpa

Located in Little Venice and open 24/7, this is a great place to meet for cocktails and make plans for the night ahead. Better yet, just stay there, while the DJs spin an eclectic mix of electro beats, the party heats up and the night goes on and on.
• Tel. (+30) 22890.232.94

THE REST IS MEMORIES

JackieO’

In a totally gay-friendly island, JackieΟ’ goes the extra mile and caters to serious party-goers of all ages and sexes on the lookout for high-energy nights of super-beat dance music, flirting and fun. For optimum results, go after 2 a.m. You’ll find it below the Church of  Paraportiani. • Tel. (+30) 22890.771.68

Moni

Its location near an old monastery on Aghia Moni Square in Chora may have inspired its name, but this club is the opposite of monastic. Run by an expert international team of nightlife pros, it’s an insiders’ hangout that takes its dance music, its intimate atmosphere and the privacy of its exclusive clientele very seriously. The best time to go? After 3 a.m. • Tel. (+30) 22890.774.51

Void

Jarrett Passaoglou is a name with royalty status in the Mykonos nightlife scene and his recently launched venue in Lakka is this season’s most talked-about new arrival. Fast-forwarding into the future, Void will fill a vacuum for high-end after-hours clubbing with great vibes and party music that can’t go wrong. • Tel. (+30) 694.481.1360

IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY

Guzel

This seaside venue in the center of Gialos – the main waterfront stretch in Chora – is not for the faint-hearted: Loudspeakers vibrate with both international dance music and Greek pop hits, with the party in full swing until well after sunrise.
• Tel. (+30) 694.423.1999

MadOn

Also for the young and the brave, this waterfront club is run in cooperation with the team of the London-based Maddox Club Restaurant. • Tel. (+30) 694.446.0930

TOO LATE FOR REGRETS

If you’re lucky enough to have a designated driver, head for the world-famous Cavo Paradiso, the Paradise or Super Paradise Clubs, where top international DJs keep the beat pumping until well into the morning and the party often spills out onto the beach. Also, stay tuned for the wild-card appearances of DJ Hans Havenaar, aka The Dutch Touch, be it at a regular club night or a one-off – crash the party if you must; it’s worth it.

And if you still have it in you for a “Zorba the Greek Meets Dante’s Inferno” experience, follow the crowd to Thalami, below Mykonos Town Hall. It will almost certainly be past midday when you eventually emerge, not knowing what day – or what year, for that matter – it is. You gotta love this island…

* Special thanks to Elli Handou, maitre d’ at Αstra Bar