Brettos bar
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A summarized version of their story from their menu: “Brettos is the oldest distillery in Athens. It started operating for the first time back in 1909 at the ground level of an Athenian old mansion in the heart of Plaka. The founder, Mr. Michael Brettos, started producing ouzo, brandy and a few other liqueur flavors from old time classics like cherry and peppermint to the most distinct ones like citrus and masticha, using old family recipes from Smyrni (Izmir, Turkey). When demand started rising more than expected, he had to relocate the distillery to Kallithea and operate the small shop on Kydathineon street only as a liquor shop and at the same time as a bar where tourists as well as locals could taste and buy any liqueur they wished for. Since 1909, little has changed at Mr. Brettos' old-fashioned distillery. It still operates as a bar at this small, incredible, beautiful, charming and "out of time" spot. It is still serving visitors ouzo, 3, 5 and 7 star brandy, more than 35 different flavors of liqueur, none of them available in any other of the liquor or grocery store, traditional Greek spirits, wines and beers. Visited by many locals, it is also very inviting for the tourists. Anyone who is passing by can either sit down and try any liqueur he wishes for, or buy the whole bottle if in need of something to go or take home. The inside of the small shop is still as it used to be. The first thing you notice is the beautiful décor of a wall full of coloured bottles lit from behind that fill the entire back wall floor to ceiling, providing a colour spectrum in contrast to the 200 year old building. On another wall are the old barrels full of spirits that are still used. Around the shop there is a bar with about 15 stools where you can sample the famous homemade ouzo (very smooth) and brand name alcohol or liqueurs. Finally, next to the door there is the very first, hand-made, ouzo distiller that Mr Michael Brettos once used. After all these decades Brettos distillery and bar is still the best place to have a few drinks after work, after a good meal, or just before you go to sleep. Without any lifestyle codes, with soft music coming from a small radio forgotten on one of the wooden shelves, Brettos is the perfect place is you wish to get away form everyday life and have a chat with your friends.“
TyroneTyrone
00
Of all of the places in all of Athens, Brettos satisfies … Steeped in over a hundred years of history as a distillery, it retains its old charm and curiosity despite the more modern read wall of colourful bottles used to light the place in the evening. When it comes to drinking, the menu resembles a bible and can be overpowering at fist glance, so simply order something quickly to claim yourself a stool (limited) and then peruse the menu at your leisure. I urge everyone to speak to the bartenders as they have incredible knowledge and appear to do a superb job of pairing the wines and liqueurs to your liking. They did for me ... I had 2 wines, the Greco Forte cocktail (Greek version of a Old Fashioned) and a Brettos Liqueur with Cinnamon. The latter was something special. Raki biloed with cinnamon in a tiny copper drinking vessel and delivered piping hot with a tiny 1 inch jug-handled glass. It was special indeed. Would I recommend? Yes. And if its full, keep popping by as you’ll get one of the prized seats at some point. Would I return? Yes. Every time I’m in Athens.
Mark RMark R
10
The staff need to learn some basic customer service. I feel like I owe Brettos an apology for coming alone. If you’re here alone, you’re treated very unwelcomingly possibly cuz you aren’t going to spend as much as the guided groups and groups who drink at Brettos. They are so unfriendly , when u ask for recommendations they basically read the menu back to you in English. Then they get your order wrong twice and when you ask about it , they slam their drink down in anger like seriously ? Even after that , I tip 10% as is courtesy in Greece and the way I was brought up but they didn’t even say thank you or anything. Like imagine you tip someone after a bad experience and they can’t even have the decency to greet you. Couldn’t stay away from this place. When I go to bars I usually get many drinks and snacks - most places will be happy to have me because I’m quite a good customer but this place was so unwelcoming I left immediately . Disgusting experience never again -
Sarish MoharSarish Mohar
00
It is an okay bar, with coloured bottles as decoration that is probably the best thing about Brettos. Apart from that there is no information or any interest to provide you information, only a page on the menu, and you are not event given any recommendations although you request. No personal touch, not felt it was the first distillery of the region at all, just another bar and given that there are amazing bars in Athens with great drinks and service, this one did not tick any special boxes. Athens has so much to offer in terms of bars that this one remains dull. You can go there for a nice photo but I will give you a secret to an amazing place that you could take great photos and has great variety of drinks and great cocktails if you are interested (look for L' Alchimiste Bistrot)
Melike KalkanMelike Kalkan
10
Great little bar located near Parka. Found this place by luck and was amazed by the inner design actually. Highlights of the bar is surely the Ouzo Black which is distilled 5 times, if you have luck you can get it straight from the barrel. I’m not into the liqueur thing but tried the mandarin liqueur and it was way too sweet for my taste. You can also get a good local weiss beer from the tap, which is stated as a monastery beer (actually we have limited monastery beers in the world and this one surely isn’t though). For the foods, no chance to find lot, just olive and cheese plate which are a good companion with Ouzo. This bar closed around 03.00 and is the only open place after 23.00 👍🏿
Ayhan GunayAyhan Gunay
10
Brettos was my favorite liqueur bar until this time. I usually bring my friends visiting Athens to this bar because of nice ambience. We ordered 4 rakomelo, Greek spirit that could be served hot. Surprisingly they were served cold with ice cubes. We kindly requested to change them hot. The staff used the microwave to heat them and served again. The amount weren't same and served in random portions. Regrettably, something was swimming in the glasses (most probably, melting ice cubes!). When we made a complaint, the staff didn't show empathy towards. As such it ended up being a disappointed night. There is definitely some details to be improved in the service. I'm not going back!
Imge KaragolImge Karagol
50
Nearby Attractions Of Brettos bar
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Overview
4.6
(1.9K reviews)
Phone
+30 21 0323 2110
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Website
brettosplaka.com
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