On Saturday morning, enjoying a cup of coffee with Giorgio and Sofia, we were remembering the laughs we had at Briki. We must do it again soon!
And that’s when I thought of this very special place, plateia Mavili. It’s a place with a special vibe, especially late in the day or at night; a place where Athens still feels familiar.
Plateia Mavili is my favorite because, even though it’s not a beautiful spot, it’s rather a very ordinary place that hasn’t gained its reputation thanks to its particular town planning, architecture or shops, It’s a place where there’s no specific behavior or dress code imposed – there’s democracy in ages, social class, moods.
“Alternative” best describes the Mavilli ambience. That, and its easy mix of people - it is as popular among high school or university students as it is among us, their parents.
It is at the “verge” of neighborhoods and styles, without clarifying where exactly it belongs or what it stands for. It’s this refusal to be typed that defines Mavilli, a stubborn independence of trends.
Plateia Mavili never rests. From daybreak, after a wild party night, at the cantina or at Everest, the stomach saviors of the night birds, to the morning coffees for the hasty passers by before going to work, to the night drinks, the plateia welcomes you as you are!
I can always remember myself being there, without ever setting an appointment to spend the evening there. For me it’s always the spot for a drink before going to the opera or to the theater, the spot for a quick snack, a meeting point…
The “square” was not designed as a meeting point; the triangular plaza was shaped to guide traffic turning off Vassilissis Sophias but became the focal point of the surrounding neighborhood–and, in one sense, the city’s nightlife.
Real drinkers don’t dine: they nosh. Mavilli is true to its reputation for near the triangle’s point is the famous cantina, with what connoisseurs of the kind claim is the best vromiko–the famous greasy souvlaki, sausage sandwiches!
And that’s when I thought of this very special place, plateia Mavili. It’s a place with a special vibe, especially late in the day or at night; a place where Athens still feels familiar.
Plateia Mavili is my favorite because, even though it’s not a beautiful spot, it’s rather a very ordinary place that hasn’t gained its reputation thanks to its particular town planning, architecture or shops, It’s a place where there’s no specific behavior or dress code imposed – there’s democracy in ages, social class, moods.
“Alternative” best describes the Mavilli ambience. That, and its easy mix of people - it is as popular among high school or university students as it is among us, their parents.
It is at the “verge” of neighborhoods and styles, without clarifying where exactly it belongs or what it stands for. It’s this refusal to be typed that defines Mavilli, a stubborn independence of trends.
Plateia Mavili never rests. From daybreak, after a wild party night, at the cantina or at Everest, the stomach saviors of the night birds, to the morning coffees for the hasty passers by before going to work, to the night drinks, the plateia welcomes you as you are!
I can always remember myself being there, without ever setting an appointment to spend the evening there. For me it’s always the spot for a drink before going to the opera or to the theater, the spot for a quick snack, a meeting point…
The “square” was not designed as a meeting point; the triangular plaza was shaped to guide traffic turning off Vassilissis Sophias but became the focal point of the surrounding neighborhood–and, in one sense, the city’s nightlife.
Real drinkers don’t dine: they nosh. Mavilli is true to its reputation for near the triangle’s point is the famous cantina, with what connoisseurs of the kind claim is the best vromiko–the famous greasy souvlaki, sausage sandwiches!
