Inside the New 42: A Martini, a Wooden Bar and the Charm of a Return

There are certain bars that, no matter how much their address or tempo may change, carry within them a memory that feels almost architectural. It is not only about the recipes or the service, but about how someone once stood behind the bar, how cocktails were discussed, and the stories that surrounded them. 42 has always been one of those places. And when its wooden bar once again welcomed guests, it felt as though a chapter that had been left open was finally being resumed.

The original incarnation of 42 on Kolokotroni Street holds a distinct place in the story of Athens’ bar scene. Tucked inside an arcade, with wood setting the tone and atmosphere, and with Christos Chouseas building an entire micro-universe behind the bar, it became a point of reference. Alchemical techniques, flavour-driven ideas and rare ingredients shaped an approach that redefined the relationship between drink and audience in the city centre. A meeting point for those who already knew, and for those who were eager to learn.

It later passed into the hands of Spyros Kerkyras, who gave it a distinctly more glamorous inflection. Today, in Kolonaki, 42 re-emerges as a refined evolution of the same DNA. The space feels more open and more urban, yet at the same time reassuringly familiar. From the very first visit, there is an immediate sense of continuity. The bar itself is imposing and entirely wooden, with depth and softly rounded lines. It anchors the room with quiet authority, becoming its true centre of gravity, even though it is positioned along one side rather than in the middle.

That afternoon, I took a seat at one end of the bar and worked my way through five cocktails from the list. An espresso martini with no unnecessary sweetness, instead offering the right balance of intensity and creaminess. A margarita that felt fresh and precise, with a clean, citrus-driven acidity held neatly in check by the alcohol. A pornstar martini that remained elegant and aromatic, never tipping into excess. A Manhattan that instantly conjured New York and Mad Men. And, as I always do, I finished with a Martini.

What I appreciated most was this sense of coherence. A bar with such a strong sense of history has chosen to embrace a resolutely classic drinks list, and it suits it perfectly. Here, restraint reads as confidence, and familiarity becomes a virtue rather than a limitation.

The bar food follows the same philosophy. Thoughtfully executed, it never upstages the drinks, yet it is far more than a mere accompaniment. From the Shanghai rolls filled with crab and served with a sweet-and-sour sauce, to the wagyu mini burgers with a deeply savoury sauce, and the truffle chips that proved to be the ideal bar-side indulgence.

Everything unfolds beneath a glass ceiling, where daylight filters in like it would in the courtyard of a European townhouse. Green leather sofas, subtle gold accents, bookshelves, a fireplace and classic banker’s lamps come together to create a setting that is unapologetically classic, yet never heavy-handed.

The new 42 is not a remake. It is a natural evolution. It preserves the sensitivity and aesthetic intelligence associated with the name, introduces new materials, and allows the experience to unfold at its own pace. There is no need to overanalyse it. One martini at the wooden bar is enough to understand exactly what it is about.

Info: 42 Athens
Lemos International Centre, Karneadou 25, Kolonaki
Tel. +30 210 7225985