Date Night in Athens

Taking advantage of the afternoon sun we hopped out of the taxi. Excitement filled the air for our date night in Athens. As we made our way up the mountain side, we paused frequently to drink in the magnificent views of the city below. We trekked passed the ruins of ancient Greece stopping only to attempt the daunting "couple selfie"  before we made the summit of Acropolis Hill.

"The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike." - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The history of it all may not amaze her but the views... those will make it a date to remember. A tip: check out the admission times for Acropolis you don't want to miss on the final entry time. You can also hire a certified guide to take you through if you want. And be sure to pray to Zeus for good weather.

Ya... this view

Pandrousso street market

Ice cream at the ice scream shop!

As it started to get dark we made our way to Monastiraki Square near the Plaka District; a very busy part of Athens. It was here that we found the Pandrousso Street Market which was lit up beautifully. The many shops provided the chance to find the perfect souvenir and the aroma of Greek fare wafted from the many restaurants. We stopped for some ice cream along the way.

Rewarded for my always entertaining dance moves

A traditional Greek feast at a typical taverna in the renowned Plaka district is the perfect way to finish your night out in Athens. I'm talkin' mouth watering lamb and rice with loads of feta and olives - all topped off with dancing (well, some may call it that). The Unique Greek Zorba Dance is the perfect recipe for fun. The dance cast interacts with the audience and pulls them onto the stage to dance along in the show. You and your date will never forget the experience, I'm sure of it. Check out the fun the fun we had in the video below.

Another tip: Planning a date in a city like Athens can be a little overwhelming with all the different things in the countless different neighborhoods. Thankfully there are tour companies like Key Tours who have it all figured out for you

Of course, if the date is going well, it dosent have to stop there. Head over to the local bar Sinatra or Einstein and dance some more. If you have any other places that you would recommend in Athens feel free to let us know in the comments section.

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Top 5 Dive Bars in Toronto

Top 5 Dive Bars in Toronto (2014 Update)

A post by Ed Arsenault

2014 Update: I updated this list to reflect my personal preference change over the last year. Off the list from last year for various reasons are Two Bite Saloon and Sneaky Dees. I have been given a ton of suggestions on what should be included on this list and while most are excellent dives and true  to the spirit of a dive bar, they have become so popular that they miss the mark on catering to a local crowd. I want this list to be for tourists to use when they visit Toronto to have a chance to drink with the locals. As always I still love getting feedback on this list, so please feel free to shoot me your input. 

What is a dive bar? As best as one could try to define a dive bar; it is an informal pub that caters to a local community. Sounds perfect for a guy like me right? So whenever I visit a city I try to scope out a few of these places and keep a note of my favourites for when I return. 

So in no particular order here are my top 5 dive bars in Toronto.

1. The Done Right Inn – 861 Queen St West

What is there not to love about a bar that accepts Canadian Tire money? The Done Right Inn is located on the skirts of Trinity Bellwoods Park, one of the major parks in the downtown core. After an afternoon of playing tennis, soccer or just lazing under a tree in the park this bar is a short strut away to get hydrated and refreshed. Don’t expect to break the bank here either, beers are cheap if they even remember to charge you for them. For entertainment you can participate in epic matches of foosball or get your social on out on the large backyard patio. The type of crowd you can expect is that of typical Queen West culture; writers, musicians, artsy fartsy types and of course beards. If you’re ever in the Queen West area be sure to check this little dive out.

2. Mayday Malones – 1078 Bathurst Street

Referenced after Sam “Mayday” Malone from Cheers, you know you are going to be in a bar where everyone knows each other’s name. Unfortunately they won’t know yours for your first few visits. Located up near Bathurst and Dupont this bar is notorious for being a regular’s bar. That shouldn’t stop you from trying to become a known face though. With dart boards, TV screens showing all kinds of sports and a karaoke crowd that can actually sing this bar seems to hit the mark on multiple levels. Not to mention they have a quaint little patio out back that reminds me of being on a back deck. They carry the generic beers but have an atmosphere that is blue collar and fun. And the food ain’t half bad either.

3. Pour Boy Pub – 666 Manning Ave

 
This gem of a place is for the poor man. I don’t know how they get away with selling beer so cheap but they do and I love it. This is the place to go to with a few friends and grab some pitchers and snacks. Don't expect a five star treatment here, chances are they will forget about you, but that's to be expected at a dive. Pour Boy Pub has more of an intimate setting then the rest of the dives on this list because they have very dim lighting, close seating and chill music playing. There is no set crowd here as it varies nightly, but I guess you could define the crowd as economically savvy beer drinkers. The downstairs section can be easy to mingle in but the upstairs is more of a secluded area to sit with your friends. If you are lucky enough try to grab a patio seat and enjoy the sights and sounds just off Bloor St in Korea Town.

4. Tall Boys - 838 Bloor Street West

Let's get serious about Ontario craft beer for a moment. If you are on a mission to try some of the best beer that Ontario has to offer, then this is where you will want to be. With over 70+ Ontario craft beers served up in tall cans and a handful of rotating draught lines, you will always have something to tickle your fancy. Expect great service during the day and sub par service at night and always expect great tunes. The food is exceptional considering it is just your run of the mill pub fare. A drink and food menu sourced locally makes this dive bar a celebration of Ontario, and this guy loves it!

5. Ted's Collision and Body Repair - 573 College Street

Blink while walking and you will miss this place. Unless of course you are walking by it at night, in which case you couldn't possibly miss the loud rock pumping out of this place. Dirty, dingy, candles in empty liquor bottles, mismatched furniture and a patio with graffiti decor; this is the very definition of a dive. Nothing special on tap here, just cheap beer and cheap shots. Service? what service? hit up the bar if you want a drink otherwise sit down, shut up and enjoy the atmosphere! Oh, one other thing, don't eat here...

So there we go, my top 5 dive bars in Toronto. If you think my choices suck and another dive bar should have made this list please feel free to comment and let me know! 

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