Shisha Cafe in Kallithea

Following an anonymous tip-off on my previous post (thanks!), I visited the shisha cafe in Kallithea, Al Sokareia.

I don't know the exact address (we tried to keep the receipt as a reminder, but the waitress snatched it from us), but, for those who know Kallithea, it should be enough to say it is situated near Ladokolla restaurant on El. Venizelos Avenue.

We arrived at Al Sokaria on this Saturday night at 22:30. The place was about 80% full, but the guy who looked to be the owner found us seats.

It is not a big place with maybe 30-40 covers. It was brightly lit when we entered. More than half the customers were foreigners (non-Greeks, I mean), but not limited to Arabs. There were also very young Greeks, some of them did not look more than 20 year old. Most of the young Greeks, however, left before midnight and more foreigners came in.

We ordered a coca cola (€2) and a beer (€3.50) which came with some corn puff snack. We did not try shisha. Many people were having only tea/coffee and shisha. There was no sign that they offer food.

The reason why we - non smokers - visited this place was the live music reported by the anonymous informant. For the first half an hour there was no sign of live music and there was only Arabic cable tv music channel. Then the musicians came but they did not start playing until half past 11. Even then, there was only one keyboard player playing strange medley of western pops and classical music. The real stuff started near midnight. A trio of keyboard player, drum player and string-instrument player played Arab music. Some of the pieces had Greek lyrics. I liked it.

After midnight, the owner stood up and started to sing. He was by no means a good singer, but gave the audience a good laugh.

We left at half past midnight, but the customers were still coming and the music was continuing.

The atomosphere was unexpectedly friendly and at home. Hubby now says he wants to try shisha, so we may return soon.