Lola Bar
Lola Bar sits on a quiet lane behind the main harbor, a few turns removed from the pedestrian traffic of Matoyianni. The interior is built around exposed stone walls, candlelit tables, and a compact bar that focuses its program on gin and tonic variations. The menu lists more than thirty gins from across Europe and the Mediterranean, with a dedicated tonic selection and garnish pairings suggested for each. Cocktails extend beyond the gin focus into classic drinks and a short list of signature options. The space holds maybe thirty people comfortably, with a front room that seats a dozen at small tables and a back room that functions as quieter overflow. Music stays at conversation volume throughout the night, making Lola a rare Mykonos venue where you can hear the person across from you during peak season. Prices are in line with the better cocktail bars on the island. The bartenders know their program and will walk new visitors through the gin list if asked. The venue attracts an older crowd compared to the club circuit, with couples and small groups of four or five occupying most of the evening traffic.
What to Expect
Warm candlelight against rough stone, a narrow bar with backlit bottles, a curated playlist at conversation volume. A different rhythm than the louder streets nearby.
Intimate, refined, and calm. A deliberate counterpoint to the beach club excess.
Jazz, bossa nova, and low-volume lounge with occasional Greek classics. Never loud enough to interrupt conversation.
Smart casual to upscale. Linen shirts, summer dresses, loafers instead of flip-flops.
Pre-dinner cocktails or post-dinner nightcaps for couples who want quality drinks without club volume.
All cards accepted; cash optional.
Price Range
Gin and tonic 14-18 EUR, signature cocktail 16-22 EUR, glass of wine 9-13 EUR
G&T ~$15-20, cocktail ~$18-24, wine ~$10-14
Hours
Daily 20:00-03:00 in summer. Shortened hours in shoulder season. Closed mid-November to late April.
Insider Tip
Ask the bartender for a gin recommendation based on what you usually drink; the list is extensive and personalized picks land better than guessing. The back room is quieter if the front fills up. Come before midnight for table seating.
Full Review
Lola Bar occupies a converted ground-floor space on one of Chora's quieter lanes, removed enough from Matoyianni that the foot traffic thins to a trickle after 22:00. The room is small by design, with stone walls left rough and candles doing most of the lighting work. The bar runs along one side, and shelving behind it holds the gin program: somewhere between thirty-five and forty bottles depending on what's in stock that week, drawn from Spanish, Italian, British, French, and Greek distillers.
The gin and tonic menu is structured by style and profile rather than alphabetically. The bartenders can walk through citrus-forward options, herbal-forward options, floral options, and the heavier juniper-dominant classics. Tonic pairings are suggested for each gin, and garnishes range from simple citrus peel to rosemary sprigs and pink peppercorns. The execution is careful: measured pours, good ice, proper glassware. For a venue that could coast on the Mykonos markup, the technical standard is higher than necessary.
Beyond the gin program, the cocktail list covers classics and a handful of signature drinks built around Greek spirits like mastiha and tsipouro. Wine is a short but well-chosen list leaning Greek with a few Mediterranean additions. Beer options are limited, reflecting the bar's focus on spirits.
Compared to the waterfront bars in Little Venice or the lounge spaces along the harbor, Lola plays a different role. It's not a venue you go to for the view or the scene. It's a venue you go to for the drinks and the quiet. The crowd understands this: couples in their thirties and forties, small friend groups, occasional solo travelers with a book. Service is warm without being performative, and the overall rhythm of the evening feels deliberate.
One practical note: the bar stays genuinely busy during peak season despite its low profile, and tables turn more slowly here than at louder venues. If you want seating after 22:00 in July or August, arriving earlier or calling ahead helps. Walk-ins without a plan often end up standing at the bar, which is fine for one round but awkward for a longer visit.
The Neighborhood
Lola sits in the back lanes of Chora, a few minutes walk from the old port and about five minutes from Matoyianni's main shopping strip. Surrounding the bar are boutique hotels, small restaurants, and a few other quieter drinking spots.
Getting There
Mykonos Town is walkable end to end in fifteen minutes. From the old port, head up into the town and take a right before Matoyianni; the lane signs change often but locals can point the way. Taxis drop at the town entrance since the center is pedestrian-only.
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.