The Greek capital’s first major fine drinking event, Athens Fine Drinking by World Class was launched a fortnight ago. It was the first event of its kind to be open to the public, who voted with their feet by attending in their thousands from 1-4 June.
The hub was a listed building, which used to house the Athenian Stock Exchange, right in the heart of the city’s commercial district. This huge pop-up event space hosted tasting sessions, masterclasses and presentations and of course, a number of bars where visitors could sample fine spirits and the cocktails that were inspired by them. The sessions included talks by the seven Greek finalists of the World Class Bartender of the Year competition, focusing on current trends and their own tricks of the trade.
The event was also spread across 23 of the city centre’s best-known bars, which in turn promoted a special discounted cocktail menu to Athens Fine Drinking wristband holders. The cocktails they prepared were split into different themes, which included Aperitivi, Mediterranean Flavours, Music and Travel.
The bars were:
7 Jokers, 42, 360°, Α For Athens, Baba au Rum, Bank Job, Bar De Τhéâtre, Barreldier, Grande Bretagne (Alexander’s Bar, Alexander’s Cigar Lounge, Roof Garden Bar & Bar 8), Dizzy Mo, Drunk Sinatra, Faust, Odori, Rehab, Six d.o.g.s, Tailor Made, The Trap, The Clumsies, Toy Café, Zonars and FOUAR.
A city like Athens was due an event like this. Its dynamic bar scene and award-winning bartenders were reason enough to attend, but this event was important for another reason. It was the first time this world had been opened up to those other than just the connoisseurs.
It was also a major statement that the event was backed by the Athens’ City Council’s Organisation for Culture, Sport and Youth, as the plan is clearly to establish both the event and the city as a hot spot on the international cocktail map.
Despite the ongoing economic crisis, it is important for people to discover that quality in alcohol does deliver a wholly superior going-out experience. It was also a unique opportunity to introduce the exciting Athenian scene to Athenians as well as visitors.
The concept was simple. Visitors went to Old Stock Exchange, paid a €10 entry fee in exchange for a wristband which enabled them to be part of all the events across the four-day period. The fee also included two signature cocktails in the main pop-up bar area, access to the discounted menus at the participating 23 bars and a €5 coupon for their next Taxibeat ride, thus promoting yet another local business success story of recent years.
Amid yet more talks about the next tranche of the infamous Greek bailout, this was a much-needed oasis. Proof of a city that is still very much alive and a business sector, in this case represented by World Class, the international search for the world’s best bartender, that is willing to invest in Greek talent and promote a combination of fine products, Mediterranean flavours and that uniquely Greek sense of having a good time in the face of adversity.
* For more Greece travel tips and information visit www.facebook.com/everymatic