Nightclubs in Greece

Nightclubs in Greece are divided into two main categories: those that feature live Greek music with artists, and the usual foreign music discotheques or bars.

Bouzoukia

Greek singer Anna Vissi performing live on a pile of flowers in a Greek nightclub (bouzoukia).

‎Notis Sfakianakis at bouzoukia nightclub

Pop musician Sakis Rouvas, performing at STARZ, a non-tradition-style (non-bouzoukia) nightclub.

All nightclubs that feature laïkó music in Greece are popularily called bouzoukia (deriving from the plural of the main Greek instrument bouzouki), or sometimes pejoratively "skyladika" ("dog joints" - dog meaning here the one involved in bouzoukia). Their typical arrangement includes an elevated stage ("pista") where singers, dancers and musicians perform, and a court of elongated tables positioned at right angles to the stage so that every guest can see the spectacle. The corridors between those tables are usually very narrow so as to increase store capacity, which makes access by customers and the waiters themselves quite difficult.

A short menu is available to those who want to eat, but is rarely ordered, since the customers usually limit their consumption to alcoholic beverages with assorted nuts or raw vegetables.

Whole tables are reserved days earlier, especially when the singers are popular, and the customers are expected to "make a damage" (bill) proportional to the prominence of their table's position. The most advantageous tables are considered those immediately adjacent to the stage and in the center ("proto trapezi pista"), and are always reserved for rich and famous (i.e. spending) customers.

Throwing plates at the performer's feet was a practice popular until the 1970s when "plate smashing" was forbidden by law. It rarely happens today, despite the belief of some foreigners that it is a widespread Greek custom.

Throwing flowers or other items that will not cause injury (e.g. napkins) has become more common. Flowers are sold separately by the club's "wardrobe" in trays or baskets of ten or twenty pieces and are thrown en masse on artists, singers, dancers, and other spectators (quite often along with the trays, or even in piles of many trays). They are also used as a means for courtship and flirting. In practice, the bill in Greek bouzoukia, especially on the more advantageous tables, is largely based on flowers, and can sometimes exceed the cost of a brand new car. Such exaggerations in this practice are highly criticized as showing off one's social status. However, most customers indulge in flower throwing to the extent they can afford.

Westernized pop music genres began activity in Greece in the late 20th century, however, for the most part artists active in these genres performed mostly at similar venues. In the late 2000s, new nightclubs became more prominent to accommodate more pop programs, thus instead of tables and meals the set up is more like a typical dance club or small concert venue to be more interactive. These venues are less prominent as very few artists would be able to fit into this category of musicians in Greece and traditional practices such as serving alcohol and throwing flowers are still maintained.

Many prominent Greeks were known for their habit of visiting bouzoukia, notably the late tycoon Aristotle Onassis, the former president of Greece Constantine Karamanlis, and the former prime minister Andreas Papandreou.

Some related artists from 2000

• Angie Samiou
• Anna Vissi
• Antique (duo)
• Antonis Remos
• Apostolia Zoi
• Chryspa
• Despina Vandi
• Elli Kokkinou
• Giorgos Papadopoulos
• Kelly Kelekidou
• Katy Garbi
• Marianda Pieridi
• Nikos Vertis
• Notis Sfakianakis
• Paschalis Terzis
• Peggy Zina
• Thanos Petrelis
• Giorgos Mazonakis
• Dimitris Mitropanos

Greek nightclubs

• Politeia
• Fix live
• Diogenis Athens (Diogenes)
• Anodos stage
• Rex
• Poseidonio (Posidonius)

See also

• Bouzouki
• Music of Greece
• Greek folk music
• Pop Music