Mike's Oud Forums

Good places in Athens and Mikonos?

Masel - 8-22-2006 at 01:21 PM

I am going with my family on a short vacation (about a week) in mikonos, with little less than a day in athens. What would be good places to visit, other than the historical monuments and other obvious things? Good taverns (not too touristy!) with good music and ouzo - maybe some good music/instrument/record shops, or anything else I'm not thinking of? Any tips in general about scouring the island?

Thanks, Yaniv.

John Erlich - 8-24-2006 at 04:07 PM

Hi Yaniv,

I have never been to Mykonos. Frankly, it's not my kind of place (tourist party island, from what I've heard).

Two leads for Athens, though:

To Baraki Tou Vassili (Vassilis' Bar)
Athens
Address: 3 Didotou St., Athens (Kolonaki)
Telephone: +30-210-3623625
Web Page: http://www.tobaraki.gr/

Baraki is supposed to be the hippest "ethnic" music venue in Athens. While I was in town in 2002, they had a performance of an Iranian santur player with a Greek santouri player.

There was also a small music shop called Pandora, which specializes in Near Eastern instruments and sold a few CDs. I remember that there are a bunch of music stores with some interesting (Eastern) instruments on Mavromihali St.

I have shopped for Greek oud music CDs in Athens, the Islands, and Macedonia/Northern Greece. I always had the best luck when I asked for "Smyrnaic" music and described the instruments I want to hear, "outi" (oud), "kanonaki" (qanoun), etc.

Good luck,
John