Baba au Rum
Cocktail bar · Syntagma ·
Inventive cocktails, extensive rum list, playful tropical vibe
Inventive cocktails, extensive rum list, playful tropical vibe
"A long-standing global favorite since 2009, this mid-century-modern/Tiki/Tropicalia mash-up in Psirri boasts a rum list of about 400 labels and a highly original cocktail programme where inventive drinks—like the Harlequin’s Carnival (Jack Daniel's, honey vermouth, dill) or the Pearl Fishers (amaro, spices, cherry-blossom tonic)—are both clever and eminently quaffable; the bartenders will also make an excellent Pisco Sour. Despite changes in its neighborhood, it keeps local spirit alive." - Rachel Howard, Katie Silcox
"One of the world’s best bars tucked into the Historic Triangle, this temple to cocktails sets the standard for Athens—precision meets swagger in the glass." - Rachel Howard
"Specializing in cane spirits like Caribbean rum, agricole, and cachaça, Baba Au Rum in the rowdy Monastiraki neighborhood of Athens delivers a nautically themed, tropical vibe with upbeat music and smiling crowds; it’s considered one of the best bars in the world and somehow projects big personality from just 15 seats and a single bartender. I watched mixologists crank out cocktails at breakneck speed, each meticulously executed using a bevy of housemade syrups and even several liqueurs crafted behind the bar, with most drinks priced around $11. The menu offers roughly a dozen Avant Garde selections and about a dozen additional assemblies in the Rum Society, so there isn’t a dud: the Pearl Fishers is a low-ABV mix of Amaro Montenegro and tonic infused with spices and cherry blossom, Basquiat’s Daisy pairs Ford’s Gin and Lillet Rouge with tangy housemade fermented raspberry wine inspired by the artist’s bold colors, and the Anti-Novel Margarita blends cardamom-infused tequila with a Greek citrus liqueur, muddled pomegranate and spearmint, and a finishing touch of in-house distilled oolong tea. The bar fills up around 7 p.m., so I suggest starting with something light to pace the evening; as a pioneer of Athens’s craft cocktail scene, it’s a must-stop when visiting the city." - Brad Japhe
"Generally regarded as the top cocktail joint in the Greek capital, this Athens bar was founded by Thanos Prunarus." - Jessie Heyman
"An Athens cocktail project cited as one of the early contemporary ventures that reignited interest in tiki and tropical cocktails a decade ago; it’s mentioned as part of a wave of bars that helped spark public curiosity about complex, historically informed rum-based drinks and inspired later craft-minded tropical bars worldwide." - Alicia Kennedy