Mediterranean bartending is a thing, and with the number of award-winning bars growing every year, top quality and innovative cocktails have been added to the list of attractions that make Athens a top city break destination. To get a feel for what it’s all about in just one afternoon, visit the Aegean Cocktails & Spirits Festival on Monday, April 23rd. It is the first festival of its kind in Greece, and one which hopes to become an annual fixture.

At the 360 rooftop bar in Monastiraki square, with a view of the Acropolis, you’ll be able to taste cocktails and learn everything there is to know about the local bartending scene from some of the best professionals in the country.

The festival is organized by Bar Academy Hellas and Difford’s Guide Greece in collaboration with a number of top Athens bars, 12 of which will be there in pop-up form. A team from each bar will present cocktails with some kind of Greek twist; expect drinks made with local spirits, as well as Greek liqueurs, wines, and soft drinks. There will also be a “tasting station” where you can taste all of the products on their own, and learn about their production and best uses.

As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also have the chance to learn how to mix your own Greek cocktail. From 16.00 onwards, with step-by-step guidance from professional bartenders, you can learn the secrets of making the perfect cocktail.

There will also be a free two hour seminar on ‘Localization’ in the world of drinks with renowned speakers from the international non-profit P(our) Foundation, namely founders Alex Kratena (former bartender at Artesian, London), Monica Berg, and whisky expert David Broom, which you can join without a festival ticket.

Book a ticket here.