Hydra nightlife

Expert guide to the Greek Islands

1. Corfu

2. Crete

3. Rhodes

4. Santorini

5. Mykonos

6. Hydra

In this habitual bolt-hole for Athenians, nightlife aside from hanging out in the quay cafés is respectable. All the action is along the quay, or in lanes just inland.

Amalour

A Hydra evergreen, attracting a somewhat older crowd, but no less lively for that, with the best playlist on the island: expect vintage reggae, funk, Latin, Cape Verdean, African and soul covers over the course of an evening. Also hosts unpredictable live events: I once witnessed the entire cast of Stomp, on one of their annual Greek tours, egging on a belly dancer – performing on a table. Seating on the terrace or indoors, according to weather and hour (noise curfew after midnight). Drink prices surprisingly moderate: €7–8 for cocktails, rather less for 'special shots' (sfinákia in Greek) like Havana Club Dark.

Address: Less than 100 yards inland, along Tombázi lane starting from the Alpha Bank
Contact: 00 30 22980 53775 or 6977 461357

Pirate Bar

Another war-horse, going since 1976, which has seen numerous glitterati through its doors but managed to remain chic without getting snooty. Surprisingly moderate prices for coffee, breakfast and snacks in its daytime (10am-7pm) café incarnation; after 9pm, a youthful crowd attends for the excellent international playlist and acoustics, and frequent theme parties.

Address: kink in the west quay, by the clocktower
Contact: 00 30 22980 52711

Papagalos

The USPs of this little cocktail (and daytime snack) bar are excellent views across the harbour and town, and inexpensive cocktails of the day (eg mango daquiris). A pity about the mediocre music–  it would be easy to fix that.

Address: West quay (officially Aktí Navárhou Koundourióti), opposite the small-boat anchorage
Contact: 00 30 22980 52626