Elysee Bar
Elysee Bar occupies a small courtyard in Chora's back lanes, tucked deep into the maze of whitewashed streets that make Mykonos Town difficult to navigate for newcomers. A bougainvillea canopy covers most of the outdoor seating, dropping pink petals onto tables throughout the evening. The bar has developed a reputation among French and Italian tourists who keep returning year after year, giving it a regular crowd that pushes against the more transient tourist flow. The cocktail program leans Mediterranean, with a strong espresso martini that has become the bar's informal signature drink. Prices are in line with upper-tier Chora venues, though slightly below the waterfront bars. Music stays moderate throughout the night, allowing conversation to continue even as the courtyard fills. The indoor space is small, used mostly as a pass-through to the kitchen and bar, with almost all the seating outdoors under the canopy. The bar opens at 19:00 and fills between 21:00 and 22:00, emptying out around 02:00 as patrons move on to clubs. A small food menu offers olives, cheese plates, and light bites for guests who want to linger longer.
What to Expect
An open-air courtyard under a pink flower canopy, stone walls still warm from the day's sun, candles on every table. Multilingual conversation mixing French, Italian, and English.
Romantic, botanical, and international. One of the more European-feeling venues in Chora.
Mediterranean chillout, bossa nova, and occasional deep house after midnight at moderate volume.
Upscale beachy. Linen, designer swim cover-ups, summer dresses. No flip-flops after sunset.
Couples and small groups who want a quieter cocktail setting in the back lanes rather than the waterfront.
All major cards accepted including Amex; cash optional.
Price Range
Cocktail 16-22 EUR, espresso martini 18 EUR, glass of wine 10-14 EUR, beer 8-10 EUR
Cocktail ~$18-24, espresso martini ~$20, wine ~$11-15
Hours
Daily 19:00-03:00 in peak season. Reduced hours in May and October. Closed winter.
Insider Tip
Order the espresso martini; it's the reason regulars come back. The courtyard fills quickly after 21:00, so arrive earlier or reserve a table. If a bougainvillea petal lands in your drink, leave it; it's considered lucky.
Full Review
Elysee is a pleasure of discovery. The bar sits deep enough in Chora's back lanes that most first-time visitors will need to check a map, and even then the approach is through whitewashed alleys that twist in ways designed to disorient. The reward for finding it is a small courtyard that feels removed from the rest of the town, a botanical pocket where time moves slower and the noise drops.
The bougainvillea canopy is the defining feature. The pink flowers cover most of the courtyard overhead, dropping petals throughout the evening in a way that feels staged but isn't. The canopy has been trained over years of careful pruning to create a ceiling of color that contrasts with the whitewash of the surrounding walls. Tables underneath are simple wooden affairs, candles on each, spaced for conversation rather than efficiency.
The cocktail program is Mediterranean in orientation, with a lean toward Italian classics. The espresso martini has become an informal signature, made with proper espresso pulled at the bar rather than pre-made coffee concentrate. The coffee comes through clearly in the final drink, and the texture is right; thick foam on top, no excess dilution from over-shaking. Beyond the espresso martini, the list covers spritzes, negronis, and a rotating selection of signature drinks built around Italian and French spirits.
The crowd explains a lot about the bar's identity. French and Italian tourists discovered Elysee years ago and keep the regulars list populated. Their repeated visits have shaped the music, the menu, and the service culture. English-speaking visitors are welcomed but don't dominate the room. Conversations in the courtyard drift between three or four languages on any given night, and the multilingual staff navigate it all.
The venue operates on a long evening arc rather than a quick turnover model. A table at 21:00 can stay occupied through midnight without pressure to order steadily, which suits the courtyard's slower pace. By 01:00 the crowd thins as patrons move toward Jackie O', Babylon, or the clubs around the harbor, and the room settles into its final quieter hour before closing. For a first evening in Mykonos, Elysee is a strong landing point before committing to the larger venues.
The Neighborhood
Elysee sits in the back lanes of Chora, a few minutes from Matoyianni and ten minutes from Little Venice. The surrounding streets are quieter than the main tourist corridors, with boutique shops and guest houses rather than bars.
Getting There
Walk from anywhere in Mykonos Town. Ask locals for directions once you're close; the lanes are narrow and unsigned, but the bougainvillea canopy is visible once you turn onto the right street. Taxis drop at the old town entrance since vehicles cannot enter.
Where to stay in Mykonos
Compare hotels near the nightlife districts. Free cancellation on most properties.
Other Venues in Mykonos Town
Cavo Paradiso
Mykonos' most famous mega-club, perched on a cliff overlooking Paradise Beach. Hosts international DJs from June through September with sunrise sets over the Aegean. Capacity for 1,500 people.
Skandinavian Bar
Operating since 1978, this two-level venue in the heart of Chora is a Mykonos institution. Ground floor bar transitions to a packed dance floor upstairs after midnight. No cover charge most nights.
Semeli Bar
Upscale cocktail bar inside the Semeli Hotel with a stone courtyard setting. Known for well-crafted drinks and a calmer atmosphere than the main strip. Good starting point before heading deeper into Chora.
Caprice Bar
Waterfront bar in Little Venice with tables set directly above the sea. Famous for sunset cocktails with views of the windmills. Gets crowded fast after 7 PM in peak season.
Astra
Long-running club near Tria Pigadia that draws a mixed international crowd. Dance floor gets packed after 1 AM with house and commercial music. Smaller and more intimate than the mega-clubs.
Galleraki
Tiny waterfront bar in Little Venice with tables hanging over the sea. The cocktails are decent, but the real product is watching waves splash against the building's foundations while the sun sets behind Delos.