Baba Au Rum
Baba Au Rum operates from a narrow frontage on Klitiou Street in Psyrri, one of the most internationally recognized Greek cocktail bars with regular appearances on World's 50 Best Bars lists over the past decade. The interior runs small and dark, with a bar along the full left wall holding what may be the largest rum collection in Europe at over 250 bottles spanning Caribbean, Latin American, and increasingly Asian and African producers. The seating is limited: roughly 25 to 30 covers across bar stools, a few high tables, and a small outdoor section that expands in warmer months. The drinks program commits entirely to rum-forward cocktails with a secondary menu of non-rum classics for people who don't drink the primary spirit, and the bartenders are recognized industry figures who have trained at and influenced cocktail programs across Southern Europe. Prices run at the higher end of Athens cocktail pricing, justified by the ingredient sourcing, the technical execution, and the international profile of the venue. The crowd skews 28 to 50, with a strong contingent of industry professionals, serious cocktail drinkers, and international visitors who seek out specific bars when traveling. Expect focused drinking rather than social atmosphere.
What to Expect
A compact, dark room where the focus is on the drink in front of you rather than the room around you. Expect meticulous preparation, conversation at audible volume, and a slower pace than standard bars.
Serious, craft-focused, and unhurried. A bar that expects its guests to pay attention.
Jazz, Latin, tropicália, and downtempo at moderate volume; conversation remains the primary sonic layer
Smart-casual to smart. Athenians dress up slightly for destination cocktail bars; international visitors follow suit.
Rum enthusiasts, serious cocktail drinkers, couples on a dedicated drinks night, industry professionals
Cards accepted and preferred, cash also fine
Price Range
Signature cocktails 14-18 EUR, classic cocktails 12-15 EUR, rum flights 18-30 EUR, rare rum pours 10-40 EUR
Signature cocktails ~$15-20, classic cocktails ~$13-16, flights ~$19-33
Hours
Daily 19:30-02:30, busiest from 22:00 onward
Insider Tip
Reserve ahead on weekends; the small capacity means walk-ins often get turned away after 21:30. Order a rum flight before committing to a cocktail if you're new to the spirit; the bartenders can build a three-pour flight showing different regional styles. Ask about the aged collection; several rare bottles are priced by the 30ml pour rather than by the drink.
Full Review
Klitiou Street runs as a narrow pedestrian corridor in Psyrri, and Baba Au Rum announces itself through a small signed frontage without making any attempt at street-level spectacle. Pushing through the door, you enter directly into the main room: the bar along one wall backed by floor-to-ceiling bottle shelving holding the rum collection, a line of stools, and a scatter of small tables along the opposite wall. Lighting runs low, the music sits underneath conversation, and the overall feel is serious from the first minute.
I visited on a Friday night, arriving around 21:45 with a reservation. The bar was at capacity and two parties were waiting at the door; the staff were managing the flow attentively, seating people as spaces opened rather than overbooking. A bartender working the stools opposite me built a Daiquiri variation for a customer next to me over several minutes, selecting a specific Barbados rum, measuring lime juice to the gram, and walking the customer through the reasoning behind each choice. The craft is genuine and the customer education is real, not performed.
I ordered a signature called the Greek Banquero built around aged Guatemalan rum, bergamot liqueur, mastika, and thyme honey, followed by a straight pour from a bottle of 23-year Demerara that the bartender described as one of the house's pride acquisitions. Both arrived with context: where the spirit came from, how it was produced, what flavor notes to watch for. The total bill came to just over 40 EUR for two rounds, which is premium by Athens standards but in line with the venue's international reputation.
Compared to the broader Athens cocktail scene, Baba Au Rum occupies the most narrowly committed position. The Clumsies runs broader, Noel runs theatrical, Six Underground commits to Greek spirits. Baba Au Rum is rum first, everything else second, and the commitment has produced an internationally recognized program that holds its own against any destination cocktail bar in Europe.
For a traveler who appreciates rum or wants to understand it better, this is the clearest destination in Athens. For travelers who want social atmosphere over drink focus, the venue is less suitable; conversation happens but it's the secondary product.
The Neighborhood
Baba Au Rum sits on Klitiou Street, a short pedestrian corridor in Psyrri close to Monastiraki Square. The surrounding blocks include multiple serious cocktail bars, traditional tavernas, and late-night venues that form the Psyrri drinking circuit.
Getting There
Metro Line 1 (green) or Line 3 (blue) to Monastiraki station, then a three to four minute walk into Psyrri. The venue is central enough that walking from Syntagma takes about 10 to 12 minutes.
Where to stay in Athens
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Psyrri
The Clumsies
Repeatedly listed among the world's best bars, this two-story cocktail spot on Praxitelous Street runs a seasonal menu with Greek ingredients and experimental techniques. The ground floor is walk-in; the upstairs lounge takes reservations and hosts pop-up events.
Stoa Athanaton
Legendary rebetiko venue operating since the 1930s inside the old Athens Central Market arcade. Live bands play traditional Greek blues to a packed room of locals eating, drinking ouzo, and occasionally getting up to dance. Lunch sessions are as popular as the evening shows.
Six d.o.g.s
Arts bar and cultural space with an indoor stage, a hidden garden courtyard, and a regular lineup of DJs, bands, and art exhibitions. The garden is one of the best-kept secrets in central Athens, with trees, string lights, and a bar serving local craft beer.
Klimataria
Family-run taverna that has served traditional Greek food with live rebetiko and laika music since 1927. Plates of grilled octopus and lamb come out while musicians play among the tables. It's not polished, which is exactly the point.
Local Pub
Craft beer bar on Sarri Street with 12 rotating taps focused on Greek microbreweries and a bottle list covering European imports. The space is small and unpretentious, with a few sidewalk tables and a bartender who knows every beer on the wall.
Tranzistor
Art bar on Protogenous Street where the walls are covered in rotating graffiti and street art. DJ sets lean toward funk, soul, and hip-hop. The outdoor terrace merges with the neighboring bars on busy nights.