Noel
Noel is a cocktail bar housed inside a restored neoclassical building at Kolokotroni 59B, spread across two floors with multiple themed rooms. Each room has its own distinct character, from a library filled with antique books to a lush garden courtyard, a baroque salon, and a room designed to feel like a winter cabin. The cocktail program is one of the most acclaimed in Athens, with a menu that changes seasonally and leans into theatrical presentation without sacrificing substance. Expect drinks in the EUR 11 to 15 range, with some signature creations pushing higher. The bartenders are skilled and happy to customize if you tell them your preferences. Wine is available by the glass starting at EUR 7, and there's a small food menu with sharing plates from EUR 8 to 14. No cover charge. The crowd is a mix of well-dressed locals and visitors who've done their research. Weekends are busy from 10 PM onward, and the garden courtyard fills first during warm months. The building itself is worth seeing even if cocktails aren't your priority, as the restoration preserved original ceiling frescoes and architectural details throughout.
What to Expect
You enter through an ornate doorway into a space that feels more like a private mansion than a bar. A host points you toward available seating across the various rooms. The lighting is candlelit and warm throughout. Each room feels like stepping into a different world. Service is polished but not stiff.
Theatrical, intimate, and slightly magical. Every room offers a different version of the same refined mood.
Jazz, soul, and lounge music at conversation-friendly volume. Each room has its own subtle soundtrack.
Smart casual to dressy. The crowd puts effort into their appearance. Avoid shorts and athletic wear.
Date nights, impressing visitors, and anyone who appreciates cocktails in a visually stunning setting.
Cards and cash accepted. Contactless payments work.
Price Range
Cocktails EUR 11-15, wine EUR 7-10, sharing plates EUR 8-14
≈ $12-16 cocktails, $8-11 wine, $9-15 plates
Hours
Mon-Thu 7 PM to 2 AM, Fri-Sat 7 PM to 3 AM, Sun 6 PM to 1 AM
Insider Tip
Explore all the rooms before settling in. Each has a different mood and you might prefer the library over the courtyard or vice versa. Ask the bartenders for recommendations rather than sticking to what you know. They'll nail it.
Full Review
Noel earns its reputation. The building is genuinely beautiful, with each room designed as a complete environment rather than just a different paint color. The library room has floor-to-ceiling shelves of old books, leather armchairs, and candlelight that makes you feel like you've wandered into a 19th-century salon. The garden courtyard is open to the sky and filled with plants that create a secluded feeling in the middle of downtown Athens.
The cocktails match the setting. The menu reads like short stories, with each drink built around a concept or ingredient journey. The execution is precise. I tried a drink based on Greek mountain tea and honey that was complex without being fussy, and a riff on a classic daiquiri that used local citrus to good effect. The bartenders clearly train hard and take pride in consistency.
Prices sit at the upper end of the Athens bar scene, but they're justified by the quality of the drinks and the space. Service is professional and warm, striking a balance between attentive and unobtrusive. The food menu is limited but the sharing plates work well as accompaniments.
The main challenge is availability on weekends. The bar gets crowded, and without a reservation you might end up standing in a hallway between rooms. Weeknights, especially Tuesday through Thursday, offer the best experience with shorter waits and room to actually enjoy the architecture.
The Neighborhood
Noel is on Kolokotroni Street, a stretch of central Athens that has developed into a cocktail bar corridor over the past decade. It's steps from Syntagma Square and Monastiraki, making it easy to combine with dinner in Psyrri or a walk through Plaka.
Getting There
Syntagma metro station (Lines 2 and 3) is a 3-minute walk. Monastiraki station is about 5 minutes on foot. The bar is on Kolokotroni Street between Stadiou and Panepistimiou. Taxis can drop you right at the door.
Address
Kolokotroni 59B, Athens 105 60
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