Mykonos cocktails are a glamorous art, from the sunset seafront bars of Little Venice like Galleraki, Scarpa and Negrita to panoramic terrace bars and creative Greek-inspired drinks made with mastiha, ouzo and local fruits. This guide covers the best cocktail bars, the signature drinks, the sunset spots, the costs and tips.
Cocktails are central to the glamorous nightlife of the Mykonos travel guide, complementing the wider Mykonos bars guide. The sections below cover them in full.
What is the cocktail scene in Mykonos like?
The cocktail scene in Mykonos is glamorous and creative, with skilled bartenders crafting drinks from premium spirits, local herbs and fruits, and Greek ingredients like mastiha and ouzo. From romantic Little Venice sunset bars to panoramic terraces and chic clubs, the island offers some of the best cocktails in Greece.
Cocktails are a glamorous and integral part of the Mykonos experience, and the island’s cocktail scene is among the best and most stylish in Greece. The bartenders here are true artists, crafting inventive, beautifully presented drinks from premium spirits, homemade infusions, locally grown herbs and fresh fruits, and distinctly Greek ingredients such as mastiha, the aromatic resin liqueur from Chios, and ouzo, giving many cocktails a unique island twist. The settings are a big part of the appeal: you can sip a sunset cocktail at a romantic seafront bar in Little Venice with the sea below, enjoy panoramic views from a clifftop terrace bar, or join the chic, hedonistic scene at the fashionable clubs and beach clubs. The atmosphere is glamorous and sociable, and a cocktail in hand is part of the island’s day-into-night culture. For lovers of a well-made drink in a beautiful setting, Mykonos delivers, set out alongside the guide to nightlife. Little Venice is the classic spot.
What are the best cocktail bars in Little Venice?
The best cocktail bars in Little Venice include Galleraki, one of the oldest with its signature mastiha-based Venetian Delight, Scarpa, a 40-year fixture known for fresh-fruit cocktails, and Negrita, set in an old stone house with inventive drinks. All offer cocktails right over the water with famous sunset views.
Little Venice is the most romantic and famous place to enjoy a cocktail in Mykonos, with a cluster of celebrated seafront bars where the sea laps below and the sunset sets the scene. Galleraki, one of the oldest bars on the island, sits right on the water with tables overlooking the sea, perfect for a sunset drink, and is known for its signature Venetian Delight, blending mastiha liqueur with fresh lemon and mint. Scarpa, a fixture in Little Venice for over 40 years, is loved for its great views, fun atmosphere and fresh-fruit cocktails, including its signature Roger Rabbit and a self-titled, very Greek Scarpa cocktail with mastiha, vanilla and yogurt. Negrita, housed in one of the old stone buildings, offers a beautiful sea-view setting and a range of inventive, intriguingly named cocktails. These bars are the quintessential Little Venice experience, best enjoyed around sunset, so arrive early for a waterside table. They capture the romance of Mykonos cocktails, set out alongside the guide to Little Venice. Panoramic bars offer a different view.
What are the best panoramic and chic cocktail bars?
Beyond Little Venice, the best cocktail bars include 180 Sunset Bar, set high above the town for spectacular sunset views and signature drinks, the long-established and glamorous Astra in town, and the chic Jackie O at the Old Port. These offer panoramic views or fashionable, hedonistic settings with creative cocktails.
While Little Venice is the classic spot, Mykonos has other outstanding cocktail bars offering panoramic views or fashionable, design-led settings. The 180 Sunset Bar, perched high above Mykonos Town, is a must for a magical sunset, an open-air venue with a spectacular vantage point over the town and the Aegean, where signature cocktails such as a Cycladic Sunset made with ouzo and fresh fruit pair perfectly with the colourful sky. Astra, a glamorous and long-established bar in the heart of town, is famous for its striking fibre-optic ceiling that mimics the night sky, artisanal cocktails and a chic, jet-set crowd, an enduring symbol of Mykonos’s effortless cool. The fashionable Jackie O bar at the Old Port, a popular and lively venue overlooking the sea, offers sophisticated cocktails, a colourful crowd and famous drag shows, blending great drinks with entertainment. These bars showcase the variety of the island’s cocktail scene, from panoramic sunsets to hedonistic glamour. Each offers a memorable setting for a beautifully made drink, set out alongside the guides to bars and the gay scene. The Greek-inspired drinks are worth trying.
What signature and Greek cocktails should you try?
In Mykonos, try cocktails made with Greek ingredients like mastiha liqueur, ouzo and local fruits and herbs, such as Galleraki’s mastiha-based Venetian Delight, or a Cycladic Sunset with ouzo. These Greek-inspired drinks, alongside fresh-fruit cocktails and creative house signatures, give the island’s cocktails a distinctive local twist.
Part of the fun of cocktails in Mykonos is sampling the distinctive Greek-inspired drinks that set the island apart from a generic cocktail bar. The star local ingredient is mastiha, the aromatic, slightly pine-and-herb resin liqueur from the island of Chios, which bartenders use to create unique, refreshing cocktails such as Galleraki’s signature Venetian Delight, made with mastiha, fresh lemon and mint, or Scarpa’s very Greek house cocktail blending mastiha, vanilla and yogurt. Ouzo, the famous anise spirit, also features in inventive drinks like a Cycladic Sunset with ouzo, orange liqueur and fresh fruit. Beyond these, bartenders make excellent use of locally grown herbs, fresh seasonal fruits and homemade infusions to craft beautifully presented fresh-fruit cocktails and creative house signatures with intriguing names. Trying these Greek-twist and signature drinks, rather than sticking to classics, is the best way to experience the island’s cocktail culture and a taste of local flavours. Sampling a few across different bars makes for a delicious evening, set out alongside the guide to Mykonos food. Knowing the costs and tips helps.
What do cocktails cost and what tips help?
Cocktails in Mykonos are expensive, reflecting the luxury destination, with premium prices especially at waterfront and high-end bars. Arrive at Little Venice around sunset for a table, expect minimum spends at some bars, carry cash, dress stylishly, and book ahead for popular sunset spots in peak season.
Enjoying cocktails in Mykonos is a glamorous pleasure, but it pays to know the cost and a few tips. As a luxury destination, Mykonos charges premium prices for cocktails, especially at the famous waterfront bars of Little Venice, the panoramic terraces and the high-end and beach-club bars, so expect drinks to be expensive and budget accordingly. To get the prized sunset spot in Little Venice, arrive around 7pm or earlier to secure a table right over the water, and be aware that some popular bars expect a minimum spend or deposit, particularly for a sunset table, so it is worth booking ahead in peak season. Carry some cash as well as cards, as some places prefer it, and dress stylishly, since the cocktail scene is fashionable and some venues have a smart dress sense. Pace yourself and drink water between cocktails in the summer heat, and plan how you will get home, as taxis are scarce. With a little planning, the cocktail bars of Mykonos offer some of the most memorable drinks and settings in Greece, set out alongside the guides to Mykonos on a budget and when to visit. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
When is the best time for cocktails in Mykonos?
The best time for cocktails in Mykonos is around sunset, from about 7pm, when the Little Venice seafront bars and panoramic terraces glow in the golden light, the classic moment for a sunset cocktail. The scene then builds through the evening into the late-night bars and clubs, peaking after midnight.
Timing your cocktails well lets you enjoy the island’s drinking scene at its most magical. The undisputed highlight is sunset, from around 7pm, when the famous seafront bars of Little Venice, such as Galleraki, Scarpa and Negrita, and the panoramic terraces like the 180 Sunset Bar come into their own, with the sun sinking over the Aegean behind the windmills and the whole town glowing in golden and pink light; sipping a sunset cocktail at a waterside table is the quintessential Mykonos cocktail experience, so arrive early to secure a spot. From there the evening builds: the cocktail bars and lounges of Mykonos Town fill up over dinner and into the night, growing livelier and more glamorous, and the scene then flows into the late-night bars and clubs, which peak from around midnight into the early hours. So the classic cocktail itinerary starts with sunset drinks in Little Venice, continues with cocktails in the town as the evening warms up, and ends at the late-night venues. Pacing yourself from the golden-hour sunset cocktail through to the late-night scene is the way to enjoy the island’s drinks, set out alongside the guides to nightlife and bars. The classic approach is to begin at a Little Venice seafront bar as the sun goes down, glass in hand and the windmills glowing gold, then drift through the town’s cocktail bars and lounges as the evening warms up, before the late-night venues take over, so timing your drinks to the rhythm of the island ensures the most memorable cocktail experience. From a romantic Little Venice sundowner to a late-night cocktail in a chic club, the island offers some of the most memorable drinks and settings in Greece. Arriving early for a seafront table and budgeting for the premium prices lets you savour the moment without the rush or the scramble for a seat. Sunset is the magic hour for a drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cocktail bars in Mykonos?
The best cocktail bars in Mykonos include the Little Venice seafront spots Galleraki, Scarpa and Negrita, famous for sunset views and creative drinks, plus the panoramic 180 Sunset Bar, the glamorous Astra in town, and the chic Jackie O at the Old Port. They offer some of the best cocktails in Greece.
What cocktails should you try in Mykonos?
Try cocktails made with Greek ingredients like mastiha liqueur, ouzo and local fruits, such as Galleraki’s mastiha-based Venetian Delight, or a Cycladic Sunset with ouzo. These Greek-inspired drinks, alongside fresh-fruit cocktails and creative house signatures, give Mykonos cocktails a distinctive local twist.
Are cocktails expensive in Mykonos?
Yes, cocktails in Mykonos are expensive, reflecting the luxury destination, with premium prices especially at the waterfront bars of Little Venice and high-end venues. Some bars expect a minimum spend for a sunset table, so carry cash, budget generously and book ahead for popular sunset spots in peak season.