In a world that could desperately use a drink, the World’s 50 Best Bars for 2020 have been announced, with two of them located in Athens.
“The Clumsies” and “Baba au Rum” were again featured on the list, edging out some famous establishments of the world bar scene.
"Though now a powerhouse of the global bar community, fame never changed The Clumsies. This is the bar that always put the important things first – the quality on the plate and in the glass, never forgetting the warm Athenian hospitality. Set in a townhouse downtown, The Clumsies is homely, with friendly, joyous vibes freely flowing through the building, from the statement bar in what feels like the living room to the quieter room through the back, the terrace to the upper floor bar – it’s the house you wished you lived in. Even more so now – famous Greek chef Athinagoras Kostakos has now partnered in the kitchen and the bar has redoubled its focus on showcasing Greek ingredients. Take the Oh My Mama cocktail, in which co-owners and drinksmiths Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis ferment a Greek variety of apple to make cider, then combine with rum and spices. Precise, skilful work, but rustic and familiar too. Much like The Clumsies – no matter how high it flies, it always feels grounded," the announcement states.
"The father of the modern Athens cocktail scene, Baba Au Rum is also the most cherished. That’s because owner Thanos Prunarus - a worldly Athenian bon vivant – is a trailblazer, creating this modern rum sanctuary 11 years ago when the cocktail scene was in its adolescence. Sparks flew, awards followed, and not a lot has changed since, and that’s a good thing. Indeed, you’ll still find the infectious Prunarus holding court, orchestrating sophisticated revelry amid this artistic setting. As the name suggests, rum takes centre stage here, but the cocktail menu happily makes diversions into other world spirits. Though the Avant Garde menu was rebooted last year, first stop should be the bar’s eponymous cocktail – an umami Daiquiri with rum, vanilla, sweet sherry, oak, lime, basil and many more botanical notes. After something more classical? Few bars do better renditions of famous rum cocktails."