Athens Fine Drinking by World Class

Words by Denny Kallivoka

Athens Fine Drinking by World Class image 1

The whole city will be talking about this new event, and the 23 bars that are part of it, from the 1st to the 4th of June.

It was to be expected. A city like Athens with such a dynamic bar scene, award winning bartenders and internationally acclaimed bars was bound to get its own event sooner or later: a celebration aiming to attract even more people to the world of fine drinking and the culture surrounding it.

From Wednesday the 1st up until Saturday the 4th of June the wonderful listed building that used to house the Stock Exchange will be transformed into a big pop-up bar hosting 23 of the city's finest.

It's a major statement that Athens' City Council's Organisation for Culture, Sport and Youth is joining forces with World Class, the world's top mixology platform to present the first Athens Fine Drinking by World Class. Since 2009, Worldclass has played a key role in promoting quality drinks and developing the cocktail world on the international stage. The fact that they're now working with Athens City Council means this information can now move from the connoisseurs to the wider public.

It's time for people to discover that quality in alcohol delivers a unique experience. The great thing is that people will also be introduced to the Athenian bar scene, one of the most exciting in Europe.

The event will follow this year's Greek World Class final whose winner will represent Greece at the world final in Miami this coming September.

Initiation and taking part

Every day of the Athens Fine Drinking by World Class will be full of new propositions and events. The hub will be the Old Stock Exchange pop-up bar. The historical building and the six bars that will be there will be serving unique cocktails with top spirits as their base, alongside mentoring sessions and presentations about the culture of fine drinking from professional mixologists. This is where people will also pick up their wristbands for the whole four days. By paying a €10 entry fee, you will be able to be part of all the sessions mentioned above and also enjoy drinks at discounted prices at all the affiliated bars around town. The entry fee will also include two signature cocktails of your own choosing at the Pop-Up bar in the Old Stock Exchange and a €5 coupon for your next Taxibeat ride.

More specifically what you'll find at the Old Stock Exchange is: The central bar, or World Class Bar, where the seven Greek finalists of the World Class Bartender of the Year competition will be focusing on current trends. The Brand Ambassadors of the various World Class Spirits will organise mentoring sessions and share their own tricks of the trade. Zacapa Bar will be a unique workshop space where among others, Valhrona chocolate will meet aged rum. We at Difford's Guide will be presenting our own workshop on home cocktails on Friday.

Cocktails around town

The event will also be running in 23 of the city centre's best bars that will be making tailor made cocktails at special prices. They will also be presenting tasting sessions and materclasses, full info to be found here: www.athensfinedrinking.gr

The bars involved are

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, Fouar
The bartenders were asked to design their special drinks around the following themes:

Mediterranean flavours: Drinks based on Greek seasonal flavours and aromas like rosemary, thyme, olives, lavender and kumquat among others.
Aperitivo: After work or before dinner? The bartenders will be offering refreshing aperitivi, some of which will be of low ABV (as per the current trend).

Bar & Music: the bars are free to be inspired by the type of music or artists of the choice in order to design cocktails with jazz, swing, rock n roll, reggae, funk or blues themes.

Journey: We will be taken around the world through these unique recipes, with Peru, Mexico, Italy and Japan being just the beginning.

Opening hours: Pop-Up @the Old Stock Exchange (Sofokleous 10) 7pm-midnight
#athensfinedrinking // www.athensfinedrinking.gr

These are the drinks you'll be able to enjoy at Athens Fine Drinking by World Class:

42

Inspired by the Beatles in Random Order
Come Together | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Beetroot (Umami)
All You Need is Love | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Beetroot (dry)
Here Comes the Sun | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Beetroot (sweet and sour)
A Hard Day's Night | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Beetroot (sweet and bitter)

7 Jokers

Peruvian Passion | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Pisco, Passion Fruit, Demerara Syrup, Protein, Αromatic Βitters
Negronomicon | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin flavoured with Earl Grey tea, Italian Aperitif Liqueur, Cynar, Grapefruit & Peychaud Bitters
Thatisfaxon | €7 Don Julio Tequila Blend, Pineapple, Vanilla Syrup, Lemon, Protein, WBA Βitters
Mystiqua | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Masticha, Dry Vermouth, Campari, Honey, Black Pepper, Rosemary

360° - THE APERITIVI

Rossa Negroni | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin Flavoured with Strawberries, Aperol, Dry and Rose Vermouth
Spiced Strom | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Tentura Liqueur, Vanilla, Lemon , Ginger Beer
Jasmine Paloma | €7 Don Julio Blanco Tequila Flavoured with Jasmine, Salt, LIme, Grapefruit Soda
Watermelon Cooler | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Almond Syrup, Watermelon, Lime, Tonic

A for Athens

The Time Machine takes you back in time from Cairo to the Caribbean, following in the footsteps of Joe Scialom
The Suffering Bastard | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Brandy, Lime, Ginger Beer
Coo Coo Comber Punch | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Cucumber Syrup, Lemon, Green Tea, Absinthe
Banana Daiquiri | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Banana, Lime, Allspice Syrup, Cinnamon
Roman Twist | €7 Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Coffee Cordial and Aperol, Yellow Chartreuse Syrup, Citrus Fruit Juice, Rose Water

Baba au Rum

El Nacional | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Apricot Brandy, Pineapple, Lime
Inglorious Collins | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Fassionola Syrup, Rose Water, Lemon, Soda Water
Painkiller | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Coconut, Pineapple, Orange Juice
Cubano Americano | €7 Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Soda Water
Barreldier
Spritz not | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin Flavoured with Βasil, Aperol, Fresh Lemon, Homemade Ginger Soda
Celery Gimlet fizz | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Fresh Celery Juice, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey, Prosecco
High Cotton | €7 Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Absinthe, Fresh Cucumber Juice, Tomato Water
White Negroni | €7 Barrel Aged Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Homemade Bitter Aperitivo Wine, Lillet Blanc, Campari Dust

Bank Job - The Pink Panthers

Our inspiration is the Pink Panthers, an infamous gang who committed robberies in the countries and cities below. Through our recipes we'll attempt to inspire our customers' palates too.
@ London | €7 a version of Gibson Tanqueray NºTen Gin, Dry French Vermouth, Onion Pearls cooked with Pineapple
@ U.S. | €7 Bulleit Bourbon & Rye Whiskey Blend, Homemade Vermouth, Peach Smoke
@ Mexico | €7 a two part ceviche - in a glass: Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Coriander, Ginger and on the plate: Scallops cooked with Raspberries and Black Rose Petals
@ Guatemala | €7 Cobbler: Zacapa 23 Rum cooked with Strawberries, Rosemary and Andalucian Fino Sherry

Bar De Théâtre

Mexican Unagi | €10 Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Orange Liqueur, White Sugar, Lemon, Black Pepper, Unagi Sauce
Ketel Rose | €10 Ketel One Vodka, Pear Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Grapefruit Bitters
Mediterranean corner | €10 Ketel One Vodka, Masticha, White Sugar, Lemon, Fig in Balsamic Vinegar, Tonic Syrup

Dizzy Mo

1811 | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, almond syrup, homemade chilli syrup, mango, rosemary
Road Trip | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin flavoured with carob, Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, fresh pineapple, lime, caramel syrup, ginger beer
My Little Princess | €7 Don Julio Blanco, lemon, homemade vanilla syrup, Campari, nutmeg
Tiki Pin | €7 Bulleit Bourbon whiskey, Talisker Skye single malt whisky, almond syrup, vanilla, pineapple, lime
Bstraw | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin flavoured with thyme, strawberries, lemon, honey, lavender bitters
Odorem | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Talisker Skye single malt whisky, orange-cinnamon syrup, orange bitters

Drunk Sinatra

Big in Japan | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Sake, Soy Sauce, Indian Tonic Water, Lime Leaves
Killing Me Softly | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin , Talisker 10 Single Malt Whisky, Tonic Water, Sage Leaves
The Brooklyn Bridge | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Bulleit Bourbon, Buttermilk, Tonic Water, Cucumber Pickle
Live Your Myth in Greece | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Masticha, Mediterranean Tonic, Cherry Tomatoes, Salt

Faust

In true Faust style, our recipes draw inspiration from famous plays and the birthplaces of our favourite musicians
Le Medicine Voltan | €7 From Moliere's France comes the first cabaret in the history of theatre: the Flying Doctor - Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Aperol, Lemon, Pineapple, Elderflower, Aromatic Bitters
Sweetcup Named Desire | €7 From the American South, its music and Tennessee Williams' A Street Car Named Desire: Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey, Vanilla Syrup, Apricot Liqueur, Creole Bitters
Midnight Latin Dream | €7 Inspired by Shakespeare's pagan wonderland in A Midsummer's Night Dream, we took a trip to Latin America: Zacapa 23 Rum flavoured with Cardamom and Ginger, Mango, Lime, Allspice Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup
Underground Pleasure | €7 The Balkan sounds of Kusturica and Bregovic led us to a discovery of 'underground' pleasures: Ketel One Vodka flavoured with Basil, Cherries and Black Pepper, Honey Syrup, Grapefruit, Mahleb

Grande Bretagne Alexander's Bar

Mastijito | €10 Ketel One Vodka, masticha, brown sugar, lime, mint, soda water
Sin-namon | €10 Talisker 10 Single Malt Whisky, Spiced Rum, Tentura Liqueur, Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream
Rodio | €10 Tanqueray No. TEN Gin, Pomegranate Liqueur, Almond Syrup, Fresh Lime, Angostura Βitters
Old Fashioned Mexico | €10 Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Agave Syrup, Aromatic Βitters

Grande Bretagne Alexander's Cigar Lounge and Bar

Rum Swizzle | €10 Zacapa 23 Rum, Pineapple, Orange Juice, Cherry Brandy, Angostura Βitters
G & T cocktail | €10 Tanqueray No.Ten Gin, Indian Tonic, Angostura Bitters, Mint tips, Cucumber and Citrus Fruit slices, Strawberries
Opium Punch | €10 Ciroc Vodka, Pimms No.1 flavoured with Darjeeling, Smoked China & Assam Teas, Ginger Beer, Mint tips, Cucumber and Citrus Fruit slices, Strawberries
Aged Manhattan | €10 aged in Bourbon barrels: Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Sweet Red Vermouth, Bitters

Grande Bretagne Roof Garden Bar - BAR 8

Myth and Legends | €10 Cardhu Gold Reserve Single Malt Whisky, Talisker 10 Single Malt Whisky, Paprika Syrup, Herb Liqueur, Whisky Βitters • Served with a Bacon chip
Sexy Lollipop | €10 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Sugar Syrup, Lime Sorbet, Basil Leaves, Prosecco • Served with a Basil lollipop
Pelagos | €10 Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Cachaca, Bergamot Liqueur, Mandarin Liqueur, Grapefruit, Orange and Lemon Bitters • Served with a Shrimp chip
Carousel | €10 Ketel One Vodka, Masticha, Rose Liqueur, Lime, Orange Marmalade, Orange and Lemon Bitters • Served with Turkish Delight
Odori

Italian Project: Travel to Rome

G&IT | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Sweet Italian Vermouth, Herb Cordial, Grapefruit Soda
The Godfather Fizz | €7 Cardhu Amber Rock Single Malt Whisky, Amaretto Liqueur, Citrus Fruits, Amaro, Αlbumin, Soda Water
Sgroppino | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Dry Italian Vermouth, Lemon Sorbet, Τonic
Vecchio nuvoLa | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Italian Vermouth Blend, Aged Grappa, Amaro, Benedictine

Rehab

Big in Japan | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Sake, Soy Sauce, Indian Tonic Water, Lime Leaves
Killing Me Softly | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin , Talisker 10 Single Malt Whisky, Tonic Water, Sage Leaves
The Brooklyn Bridge | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Bulleit Bourbon, Buttermilk, Tonic Water, Cucumber Pickle
Live Your Myth in Greece | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Masticha, Mediterranean Tonic, Cherry Tomatoes, Salt

Six d.o.g.s.

Kauai | €7 Don Julio Reposado Tequila flavoured with Yellow Violet, Mezcal, Sage Liqueur, Pineapple, Agave Syrup, Lemon and Ginger Juice, Grapefruit Βitters
Kahoolawe | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum flavoured with Coconut and Cappuccino Flower, Bergamot Liqueur, Mandarin, Quince Preserve, Ginger and Lemon Juice, Coconut Water, Mandarin and Orange Bitters
Molokai | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten flavoured with Bergamot and Borage, Sage Liqueur, Lime and Bergamot Cordial, Hawaiian Tea Syrup, Ginger, Cucumber, Kiwi Fruit, Cucumber Bitters, Black Smoked Lanai Salt| €7 Don Julio Blanco Tequila flavoured with Purple Violets, Mezcal, Masticha Liqueur, Mango Shrub, Louisiana Syrup - Mint, Lemon, Honolulu Peach Bitters| €7 Cardhu Amber Rock Single Malt Whisky, Zacapa 23 Rum, Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Masticha, Lemon Juice, Pineapple, Blood Orange, Agave Syrup, Nihau Black Lemon Bitters | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin flavoured with Fresh Fig, Honey Liqueur, Pineapple and Lemon Juice, Almond Syrup, Aphrodite Bitter, Rosebud Water

Tailor Made

Negroni | €7 Tanqueray No.Ten Gin flavoured with Bergamot, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Dry Vermouth
Irma's Goldbutter | €7 Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Whisky, Caramel Candy, Irmas Pereira Brazil Espresso
Meditation | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Rosemary, Lemon
Koumastiq | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Kumquat, Orange, Lemon, Masticha

The Trap - The Bar Traveller

Le Fou Gaston | €7 Caol Ila Single Malt Whisky, Lillet Blanc, Manzanilla Sherry, Peach Liqueur
I Shot the Sheriff | €7 Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Rye Syrup, Strawberries, Mint, Black Pepper
Down in Mexico | €7 Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Roasted Beetroot, Agave Walnuts, Unripe Grapes
Above the Tiki Clouds | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Milk Oolong Tea, Coconut, Chimichurri

The Clumsies

The Clumsies bar opens up its "secret" garden and invites guests to prepare their drinks (with some help from professional bartenders)
TT & T | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, a selection of Mediterranean Herbs and Spices, Tonic
Chamomile Spritz | €7 Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Grapefruit and Camomile Cordial , Greek Sparkling Wine
Greek Mule | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Masticha, Lemon Juice, Sesame Oil infused Honey Syrup, Ginger Beer
The Fizz | €7 Imperial shaker version Tanqueray Nº.Ten Gin, Citrus Fruit, a selection of Mediterranean Herbs and Spices, a selection of Fizzy Drinks (Soda and Tonic Water, Lemon Tonic, Ginger Beer, Grapefruit Soda)

Toy Café

Fine Drinks with a Mediterranean Perspective
Julep | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Mint, Chocolate, Pineapple
Bloody Mary | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Tomato, Dill, Lemon
Malt Sour | €7 Cardhu 12 Single Malt Whisky, Green Chartreuse Liqueur, Pastis, Lemon, Egg Whites
Tanqueray nº ten & tonic | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Lemon Verbena, Tonic
Margarita | €7 Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Triple Sec, Citrus fruit sugars, Lemon

Fouar

It's Greek to Me | €7 Ketel One Vodka, Raki, Lemon Thyme, Honey, Basil
Our Man in Tulum | €7 Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Lime, Pink Grapefruit, Agave Syrup, Grapefruit Soda
Caribbean Beat | €7 Zacapa 23 Rum, Passion Fruit, Ginger Juice, Apple Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup
Six o'Clock By the Sea | €7 Tanqueray Nº Ten Gin, Lillet Blanc, Aperol

Zonars

Mexican Unagi | €10 Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Orange Liqueur, White Sugar, Lemon, Black Pepper, Unagi Sauce
Ketel Rose | €10 Ketel One Vodka, Pear Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Grapefruit Bitters
Mediterranean corner | €10 Ketel One Vodka, Masticha, White Sugar, Lemon, Fig in Balsamic Vinegar, Tonic Syrup

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