The assumption that every bar in Mykonos operates at maximum volume is wrong, but it requires some searching to disprove. The quieter options exist primarily in two areas: the side streets of Chora away from the main nightlife corridors, and a handful of hotel bars that are open to non-guests. Both categories have produced some genuinely good drinking options.
What to Look For
The indicator of a bar worth sitting at in Mykonos — beyond the obvious noise level — is the cocktail list. The better cocktail bars on the island use fresh ingredients, make their own infusions, and list local spirits alongside international ones. Greek tsipouro and ouzo, properly served (chilled, alongside mezedes), are worth ordering at least once. Wines from the Cyclades — particularly from Santorini and Paros — are available at several spots and offer better value than imported bottles at the same price point.
Where to Look
The streets parallel to Matogianni, one block east and west, have a higher concentration of smaller, quieter bars than the main strip. The neoclassical buildings in this area house several spots that opened in the last decade and operate with a more considered approach to what they’re serving.
Several of the better boutique hotels in Chora have rooftop or terrace bars that serve cocktails and wine to non-guests, particularly in the early evening. These are often among the best-positioned bars on the island and considerably quieter than the public venues.
Practical Tips
- The bar scene in Chora doesn’t properly begin until 23:00 in summer. Before that, the town is in dinner mode and the bars are manageable. After midnight, the volume everywhere increases.
- Greek wines by the glass are significantly better value than cocktails if you’re drinking for the evening — a carafe of local Assyrtiko from Santorini is excellent and costs half what a cocktail does.
- The outdoor seating at any bar in Chora will be taken by 22:00 on a busy summer night. Arriving earlier and staying is more effective than hoping for a table later.