Entertainment In Mykonos

Mykonos is famous around the world for its nightlife and the island has a huge array of dance clubs, gay and lesbian venues and jazz and blues bars as well as traditional Greek entertainment. There are also some excellent restaurants here and as a result, Mykonos is more expensive than some of the other Greek islands.

Eating out

Mykonos has a variety of different eating options, as you would expect of an island that attracts so many tourists from around the world. The island is dotted with eating establishments; cafes, restaurants, tavernas and ice cream and snack shops. The majority of restaurants are Greek, but there are also French, Italian, Thai, Chinese and Mexican.

There is something to suit all tastes and budgets, with plenty of good value eateries as well as restaurants with prices similar to what you would find in Paris, London or New York. Dining out is a great social pastime in Greece and it is easy to find a lovely taverna with beautiful views to while away an evening. Little Venice is one of the most special places on the island where you can enjoy an evening meal.

Local cuisine

The local cuisine on Mykonos is close to traditional Greek cuisine, with a focus on high quality fresh meat and vegetable produce. Some of the most traditional main meat dishes are moussaka (lamb and aubergine with a white sauce), kopanisti (local cheeses), pastitsio (goat or lamb with macaroni and tomato), paidakia (lamb chops) or stifado (beef with onions), while non-meat eaters should try briam (oven roasted vegetables), fasolakia (green beans with potatoes, tomatoes and olive oil) and gemista (tomatoes and green peppers stuffed with rice).
One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy Greek food, especially when you are in a group, is to order a mezedes, which is a whole range of hot and cold hors doeuvres. A mezedes will generally include things like meatballs, seafood, cheese, stuffed vine leaves, tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber dip) and sausages, all of which are served with Greek bread.

Theatre and music

While Mykonos is well known for its club dance music, there are also options for people who prefer a more sedate scene. Many of the restaurants and bars in Little Venice play classical music, which adds to the atmosphere. Alongside the dance music clubs, there are blues and jazz clubs (such as the Anchor Bar) and bars and clubs focusing on American and European rock music.

There are also some great drag entertainment shows; Icarus Bar is well known for this. The club and bar scene in Mykonos has something for everyone; many of the clubs are largely gay and lesbian venues, but the relaxed atmosphere here is such that everywhere is welcoming. If you want to sample something more traditional then La Notte in Mykonos Town has live Greek bouzouki music, as does Thalami, situated below the Town Hall.

There is also a small outdoor theatre - Anemo Theatre. Situated in Rohari, close to the town, it offers a range of performances, concerts and talks during the summer season.

Shopping

There are plenty of shopping options in Mykonos, ranging from slightly over-priced souvenir shops, aimed at day-trippers to the island, to serious high quality jewellery stores. One of the most renowned shops is Lalaounis, connected with the museum and shops in Athens of the same name. They stock a mixture of ancient Byzantine jewellery reproductions and their own designs; however, there are plenty of other jewellery shops which are slightly more affordable.

Historically, Mykonos was famous for its hand-woven scarves and tablecloths and there is still a small weaving industry on the island, making these ideal souvenirs to take back home with you.