Gay owned and run accommodation, and lodgings, bed and breakfast hotel and inn for the independent gay and lesbian travel ler near Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
© 2010 Villa Ralfa All logos reproduced by permission. All pictures and text are copyright! Last updated 10/04/10
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Equally important as something to do during the day, is something to do at night!
A difficult subject as different visitors expect different things in the way of nightlife. At Villa Ralfa we enjoy a wide range of evening activities when it comes to bars and restaurants. One man’s meat is another man’s poison!
One thing we do know is that when you arrive somewhere foreign it is difficult to know where to go, and we ourselves have suddenly discovered the best bar in town the night before we leave for home! S o how do we help?
We don’t recommend any particular bar, but what we do is tell you the places that we like to go, they may not suit you, or maybe they will, but at least it’s a start.
If it is noise you are after then Port Hersonissos has a number of bars and clubs, many of these are designed for the younger visitor although some like The Tiger Bar which is very ‘mixed’ in terms of ages and nationalities etc. Also wthout any particular ‘theme’ is New York where you can sit and enjoy a drink and music overlooking the harbour. Also on the ‘Beach Road’ are Samba Bar, Status, and Mouraggio. Matrix on the Main Road (opposite the taxi rank), also has music and often very well known visiting dj’s from around Europe, as does Star Beach on party nights.
In Malia, (about ten minutes drive from Villa Ralfa), you will find the famous Eros Bar, near the port of Malia, which is the only original gay bar on Crete, attracting both visitors and ‘locals’, as well, as a lot of ‘summer workers’ from around Europe.
Looking for a quieter place for a drink? Vinnies Garden in Koutouloufari is a well known friendly bar playing a variety of chillout music, (although George does have his ‘way-out’ nights), which serves excellent cocktails using branded spirits and possibly the best mojito on the island and possibly the world!
In Pano (Old) Hersonissos, there is also ‘The Lounge’ which attracts mainly a British tourists and has an English pub atmosphere. Also in the village is Margo’s which seems to be open all day every day the year round! Around the village square are a couple of ‘Kafenios’ where you can enjoy a beer, a village wine, raki, or a Greek coffee at very reasonable prices!
A difficult subject as different visitors expect different things in the way of nightlife. At Villa Ralfa we enjoy a wide range of evening activities when it comes to bars and restaurants. One man’s meat is another man’s poison!
One thing we do know is that when you arrive somewhere foreign it is difficult to know where to go, and we ourselves have suddenly discovered the best bar in town the night before we leave for home! S o how do we help?
We don’t recommend any particular bar, but what we do is tell you the places that we like to go, they may not suit you, or maybe they will, but at least it’s a start.
If it is noise you are after then Port Hersonissos has a number of bars and clubs, many of these are designed for the younger visitor although some like The Tiger Bar which is very ‘mixed’ in terms of ages and nationalities etc. Also wthout any particular ‘theme’ is New York where you can sit and enjoy a drink and music overlooking the harbour. Also on the ‘Beach Road’ are Samba Bar, Status, and Mouraggio. Matrix on the Main Road (opposite the taxi rank), also has music and often very well known visiting dj’s from around Europe, as does Star Beach on party nights.
In Malia, (about ten minutes drive from Villa Ralfa), you will find the famous Eros Bar, near the port of Malia, which is the only original gay bar on Crete, attracting both visitors and ‘locals’, as well, as a lot of ‘summer workers’ from around Europe.
Looking for a quieter place for a drink? Vinnies Garden in Koutouloufari is a well known friendly bar playing a variety of chillout music, (although George does have his ‘way-
In Pano (Old) Hersonissos, there is also ‘The Lounge’ which attracts mainly a British tourists and has an English pub atmosphere. Also in the village is Margo’s which seems to be open all day every day the year round! Around the village square are a couple of ‘Kafenios’ where you can enjoy a beer, a village wine, raki, or a Greek coffee at very reasonable prices!
If recommending bars is fraught with difficulty then food is even worse!
But again we have some suggestions to help.
In Pano Hersonissos, George’s Place is a ‘taverna style’ restaurant, plainly furnished they serve both ‘set’ meals and will also give you a meze using many home grown products as reasonable prices, close by is Lemonies which is bigger although you can end up with too much to eat here if you are not careful!
On Greek music night George’s is a good place to be as it is on the edge of the square so it is not quite so noisy, but you can still see what is going on.
In Koutouloufari, there is Emmanuel Taverna which is slightly upmarket but well known for the amazing things they produce from their wood fired oven, for a real treat, try the whole lamb shank cooked with wine and herbs!
Also in Koutouloufari are Rustico, where they generally have their own Greek night once a week, and also Oniro which gives a good view of the Port at night (which is one of the best times to see it).
In Piscopiano there is also ‘Davide’ on the dog leg (it’s not called that at all really but that is how it is known locally).
If you are out touring for the day you will often pass small tavernas in the villages, the majority of these serve excellent food at low cost using a meze menu and you can often eat lunch for two for €15 including the wine.
Feeling like a change from Greek food? In Port Hersonissos there is an excellent Italian restaurant called Vesevio, and also the New China Restaurant!
But again we have some suggestions to help.
In Pano Hersonissos, George’s Place is a ‘taverna style’ restaurant, plainly furnished they serve both ‘set’ meals and will also give you a meze using many home grown products as reasonable prices, close by is Lemonies which is bigger although you can end up with too much to eat here if you are not careful!
On Greek music night George’s is a good place to be as it is on the edge of the square so it is not quite so noisy, but you can still see what is going on.
In Koutouloufari, there is Emmanuel Taverna which is slightly upmarket but well known for the amazing things they produce from their wood fired oven, for a real treat, try the whole lamb shank cooked with wine and herbs!
Also in Koutouloufari are Rustico, where they generally have their own Greek night once a week, and also Oniro which gives a good view of the Port at night (which is one of the best times to see it).
In Piscopiano there is also ‘Davide’ on the dog leg (it’s not called that at all really but that is how it is known locally).
If you are out touring for the day you will often pass small tavernas in the villages, the majority of these serve excellent food at low cost using a meze menu and you can often eat lunch for two for €15 including the wine.
Feeling like a change from Greek food? In Port Hersonissos there is an excellent Italian restaurant called Vesevio, and also the New China Restaurant!
