Night Life in Milos

Milos may not have the frantic nightlife of party islands such as Mykonos and Ios but you’ll find plenty of bars and excellent tavernas where you can dine watching the most beautiful sunsets and a few dance bars which keep going till dawn.

The liveliest night spot is the port of Adamas but there are also some music bars and dance clubs in the resort of Pollonia in the north east corner of the island. Considering that this is not a mass market tourism destination, Milos has more than its fair share of good quality ouzeris, fresh fish tavernas and first rate restaurants offering both traditional and innovative dishes.

Adamas is awash creperies, snack bars and large waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy wonderful views of the bay as the sun goes down. One of the best value for money tavernas in town is Navagio, beyond Portiani Hotel, which serves first class but affordable fresh fish dishes. The locals tend to dine at O Kinigos, on the waterfront, where you pay by the kilo for beautifully fresh fish.

If you’re more into meat than seafood, avoid the waterfront fish tavernas and head for Ta Potsounakia (on the same street as the Agricultural Bank) which is a good quality psistaria specialising in grilled meat. The attractive courtyard is a pleasant place to sit on a summer evening.

Aragosta, on the first staircase up from the port as you head into town, is an upmarket Italian-style eatery which offers an alternative to standard Greek fare. If you’ve had your fill of dolmades and souvlaki, you’ll appreciate this restaurant’s menu which includes lobster, duck, turkey and pasta dishes. The restaurant stays open late and there’s dancing in the café upstairs until the small hours.

One of the hottest late night spots in town is Vipera Lebetina, named after the island’s poisonous snake, where young locals congregate for deafening rock music and chart hits. Nearby Akri, opposite Aragosta, is another popular music bar with a pleasant veranda over spilling with locals and visitors during the hot summer nights.

If you’re looking for somewhere to dance till sun-up, head for Fuego which offers a mix of Greek and pop music throughout the night. You’ll find it above the far end of the beach.

You’ll hear more Greek music on Milos than in the bars and dance clubs of the more commercialised islands simply because the island is more popular with Greek visitors than foreign package holidaymakers. Malion, near the Navagio taverna, is a good bouzouki bar with live music.

The capital, Plaka, five kilometres above the port is packed with excellent ouzeris and eateries which have burgeoned since tourism started to creep onto the island. Arhontoula in the town centre is a good place for mezedes – those tasty Greek appetisers akin to Spanish tapas – and also offers some unusual salads besides the standard feta and black olive concoction.

Utopia Café has wonderful views, especially at sunset, and stays open late. The locals’ preferred haunt is Erghina’s which serves top quality home-cooked dishes including young wild goat with potatoes.

If you’re staying in Pollonia, the fishing village-cum-resort in the north east corner of the island, you’ll find plenty of waterfront tavernas to choose from and a few music bars including the lively 7 Beaufort, Dancing Club and No Name.

Restaurans and bars

One of the best places to eat is at “O Hamos” in Adamantas and specifically in Papikinou beach. If you get hold of the menu and don’t know what to choose first, try the Chunky fried potatoes accompanied by tomato paste that is made in every house in Milos.

On a picturesque cobbled street in Plaka is Archontoula restaurant with traditional Greek and Aegean cuisine. Try the Psaronefri with honey sauce.

If you want to enjoy the sunset while drinking an aperittivo, then go to Utopia. You find it in some alleys overlooking the Aegean. Go a little earlier to find a place for the sunset. It also has nice cocktails.

Another cafe bar with a nice terrace and a view is En Plo, again in Plaka. Here it is for later, when the moon will have risen high and you will want to drink your drink looking at the island from above.

In Adamantas there are the stairs with two or three shops where young people gather. Don’t think it’s Mykonos or Paros, but you’ll definitely see a lot of people in Aragosta and Ploris.

If you are a couple then you must go to Deep Blue in Paliohori. Multi-level shop ideal either for your coffee after the dive or in the evening for a drink with a view of the illuminated beach.