Entertainment Overview

Athenians take their amusement seriously: ancient Greek tragedies play in quarried amphitheaters; mega rock concerts ring out from huge halls; the latest nightclubs pound with the swaying bodies of the seriously chill; and gallery shows shine in renovated warehouses. Music is a big part of the scene. Many bars, tavernas, and clubs have live performances, in addition to the full schedule of festivals that bring international acts to the larger concert venues. Several of the former industrial districts are enjoying a renaissance, and large spaces have filled up with galleries, restaurants, and theaters -- providing one-stop shopping for an evening's entertainment. June through September, the action moves outdoors: nightclubs open in seaside locations; movies are shown in garden theaters; and opera, ballet, and theater are staged in amphitheaters under the stars.

The Greek weekly Athinorama covers current performances, gallery openings, and films, as do the English-language newspapers Athens News, published Friday, and Kathimerini, inserted in the International Herald Tribune, available Monday through Saturday. The monthly English-language magazine Insider has features and listings on entertainment in Athens, with a focus on the arts. Odyssey, a glossy bimonthly magazine, also publishes an annual summer guide published in late June and sold at newsstands around Athens with the season's top performances and exhibitions.