Athens’ winter bouzoukia season is in full swing, with Despina Vandi and Natasa Theodoridou now on stage at NOX and more than 20 big-name programs running across the city.
From Iera Odos to Pireos Street and down to the coast at Elliniko, the pistes are once again filling up every weekend. Bouzoukia are large live music halls with table service, flowers, dancing and shows that run into the early hours. For many Athenians and visiting diaspora, a night at the pista is still the essential way to see the country’s top laiko and pop singers up close.
Here is who is singing where this winter.
The headline shows
Despina Vandi and Natasa Theodoridou at NOX
The pairing of the season. Two of Greek pop’s biggest voices share one stage at NOX, which opened on November 6. Shows run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Iera Odos 18–20. Reservations: 210 3411000.
Read more: Sakis Rouvas and Katerina Lioliou Open Enastron Season on Friday
Melina Aslanidou, Christos Menidiatis and Panagiotis Mavros at Theama
Aslanidou and Menidiatis bring a hit-packed program to THEAMA Athens Live Stage, joined by Panagiotis Mavros. The show has been running since October 2, every Friday and Saturday.
Lefteris Pantazis and Panos Kiamos at Akti Pireos
Pantazis and Kiamos have a new home this winter at Akti Pireos, with Tania Karra, Elena Tsagkrinou and Natasha Kay on the bill. Fridays and Saturdays since October 23.
Thanos Petrelis at Sanremo Live
On the coast at Poseidonos Avenue 18 in Elliniko, Thanos Petrelis leads a laiko program with Kyriakos Kyanos and Christina Koletsa. Fridays and Saturdays since October 24, with arrival at 23:30. A standard bottle for four is listed at €170. Reservations: 697 656 3383.
Stamatis Gonidis and Lena Zevgara at VOG Club
Gonidis and Zevgara opened early, on September 4, and are on stage at VOG Club every Friday and Saturday.
Giorgos Kakosaios at Lux Stage Athens
Kakosaios headlines Lux Stage Athens with Achilleas Angelopoulos, Chrysa Bandeli and Ioanna Stringa. Fridays and Saturdays since September 18.
Thodoris Ferris and Stella Kalli at Posidonio
Ferris and Kalli bring a new winter program to Posidonio Music Hall, running since September 25 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Makis Christodoulopoulos, Chara Verra and Stathis Xenos at Athens Stage
A night of laiko and Greek traditional music at Athens Stage, every Friday and Saturday since October 24.
Ilias Vrettos at Chalet Politeia
In the northern suburbs, Ilias Vrettos has a weekly Friday-night program at Chalet Politeia in Kifisia, which began on October 9.
Also on stage this winter
Sakis Rouvas, Konstantinos Argyros, Peggy Zina and Kaiti Garbi are among the other big names with confirmed winter programs.
| Venue | Artists | Opening | Nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anodos (Pireos 183) | Kaiti Garbi, Nikiforos, Anastasios Rammos | Nov 27 | Fri, Sat |
| Kentro Athinon | Konstantinos Argyros, Ria Ellinidou | Nov 20 | Fri, Sat |
| Gyalino Music Theatre | Michalis Rakintzis with Giorgos Karmas | Nov 6 | Fridays in November, 23:00 |
| Athinaia (Ermou 152) | Antypas, Kelly Kelekidou | Nov 5 | Thu, Sat |
| Enastron | Sakis Rouvas, Katerina Lioliou, Giannis Fakinos | Oct 30 | Fri, Sat |
| Votanikos (Iera Odos 72) | Giorgos Sabanis, Nikos Makropoulos | Oct 30 | Fri, Sat |
| Hotel Music Hall (Pireos 130) | Paola, Dimos Anastasiadis | Oct 25 | Fri, Sat |
| Autokinisi | Dionysis Schoinas, Giorgos Tsalikis | Oct 23 | Tue, Fri, Sat |
| Medusa Music Hall (Plaka) | Stefanos Korkolis, Dimitris Basis and others | Oct 23 | Thu to Sun, varies |
| Voodoo | Ilias Kampakakis, Konnie Metaxa | Oct 16 | Fri |
| Mezzo Athens | Peggy Zina, Christos Tsilopoulos | Oct 14 | Wed, Sat |
| Cabaret | Nikos Apergis, Christina Miliou, Haris Savva | Sep 26 | Sat, Sun |
| Fantasia | Petros Iakovidis, Elli Kokkinou | Sep 11 | Fri, Sat |
| Bodega Live (Peristeri) | Christos Holidis, NIVO | Sep 11 | Not announced |
| Romeo Club | Christos Santikai, Evi Koulkouvini | Sep 4 | Fri, Sat |
Before you go
Book ahead, especially for Fridays, Saturdays and opening weeks. Most venues don’t publish start times or prices, so confirm both when you reserve your table.
Source and photos: Athens24
