“You start with a proper, long coffee. If you’ve just finished work, you’re already on your second glass of wine. In between, some drift in and out of galleries, others pause at shop windows, and you find yourself watching the people moving up and down the street. By the end of the day, everyone ends up at the standing bars.” Asklipiou Street: a street that has it all, stays awake until late, and is defined by its small bars packed tightly next to one another. These are the places where you’ll find cheap drinks, lock eyes with a stranger for hours—until someone finally makes the first move and you become friends.
Where Asklipiou Gets Its Name
Asclepius was the god of health and medicine, a healer and son of Apollo. His symbol—a staff entwined with a serpent—represents life and regeneration.
15 Reasons to (re)discover Asklipiou Street
Coffee
Kokkoi Kafe: A cozy little spot with warm lighting, perfect for finally enjoying your coffee in peace. And if, while sitting there, you remember you need groceries—don’t worry, there’s a supermarket just a few meters down the street.
Menta Athens: For coffee on the go, warm savory snacks for cravings, and sweet treats for tougher moments. One of the newest additions to the neighborhood, having opened just last summer—and already a favorite.
Art
Drinks and late nights are great, but Asklipiou also knows its art. First stop: the independent art space Phoenix Athens. Just a few meters further, the contemporary gallery Mataroa. And finally, A-DASH SPACE, hosting exhibitions, site-specific projects, and serving as a platform for new ideas and artistic collaborations.
Food
Kyr’ Angelou: Homemade food, irresistible aromas, and excellent prices—even if you’re a student or it’s the end of the month. Try the braised beef sandwich.
Alouatou Athens: For traditional pies, meatball soup, and quality meze. A bakery in the morning, a bistro at night. Limited seating, but worth it. Expect a mix of discerning thirty-somethings, Exarchia intellectuals, and local millennials.
Asfalos Kai Den Prepei: For wine and casual bites after work. Three delicious hand-held dishes paired with standout wines from the Zacharias Vineyards.
Cheers
Nabokov: The corner spot with plastic cups constantly in motion. The drinks keep coming—and so do the exchanged glances. Warning: the street slopes downward, and you’ve probably already lost track of how many drinks you’ve had.
Bar Falaina: Possibly the most eccentric standing bar on the street. Its bold fuchsia neon sign is impossible to miss. The name suggests something big—but the space is just 35 square meters.
Ypovrychio Bar: Staying “underwater” on Asklipiou, the next stop is Ypovrychio: shots, DJs, more shots, and parties under blue lights. Bottoms up.
Knave: Pronounced “Nave.” Finding space at the bar feels like a miracle, but the music is worth the push. A hotspot for cool crowds, non-mainstream tastes, and people who actually know how to dance.
Stepa: Open from morning till night and always packed. If you can’t find space inside or at the outdoor tables, grab your drink and sit across the street on the steps of Agios Nikolaos—bless.
Nefeli Georgiadou – DJ at Stepa
“Asklipiou is one of those streets where you can find everything—from small cafés already open at first light to colorful neon bars glowing through the night. If you happen to be around on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ll see groups who—no matter where they started—almost always end up on the steps of Agios Nikolaos. Some with a drink in hand, others finishing their last cigarette, and a few trying to pull themselves together. I’ve been working as a DJ at Stepa for the past few years, and I can confidently say that it’s the crowd’s energy that makes every night unique. On Asklipiou, I’ve met all kinds of people—young, old, students, workers just off their shift, couples—and that’s exactly where the beauty of this street lies: there’s room for everyone.”
If anyone knows Asklipiou even better than its regulars, it’s the people who work there. Some will serve you your first coffee of the day, others your last drink—and some, like Nefeli Georgiadou, will make you dance and unwind, mixing sounds in a way only they know.
