In Panormou, Maggie Cassidy Gives New Meaning to the Neighbourhood Bar

I don’t know whether it was the glowing sign, the open seats along the curved bar, or the soft soundtrack that reached my ears before I’d even stepped inside. What I do know is that from the very first minute at Maggie Cassidy, something instantly pulled me in. It felt as if I’d drifted just a few blocks away from the everyday and straight into a scene that could have been lifted from a Jack Kerouac novel.

The name Maggie Cassidy is not simply a literary nod to Kerouac’s semi-autobiographical novel. It’s also an extension of Spyros Anagnostou, co-owner and creative mind behind 7 Jokers. Kerouac’s book — tender, youthful and quietly fragile — captures the intensity of first love and the uncertain emotions of adolescence. Now, that same title finds its way onto a bar in Panormou. Together with Armelina Antonaropoulou and Michaela Tsikoudaki, the team envisioned a place that, above all, aspires to become a true neighbourhood hangout — and it has achieved exactly that from its very first weeks. Maggie doesn’t follow the usual formulas; it wants to be a local with substance, a bar shaped by people who have genuine ties to the area.

The curved bar, the venue’s signature feature, wraps around the room and its clientele. Shaped almost like an inverted horseshoe, it sets the tone for the entire space: warm shades of orange, minimalist detailing, greenery and a Japanese-inspired wallpaper come together to create an atmosphere that feels both familiar and inviting. Outside, the pavement tables look onto Riankour street, reinforcing the sense that you’re sitting in a small, urban neighbourhood hangout.

Maggie operates all day, serving June Coffee Roasters espresso, a selection from the Greek vineyard, and a brunch menu that balances comfort with flavour. But when the lights dim, the element that truly sets the place apart begins: the cocktails.

Behind the bar, Themis Skianis and Miltos Velis curate a menu that impressed me from the very first moment. The signature cocktails borrow their names from characters in Maggie Cassidy, weaving their own quiet mythology inspired by Kerouac’s novel — one of tender youth, small rebellions and coming-of-age emotion rather than sweeping epics. The Maggie C. is a Negroni enriched with cacao and orange gel. The Emil Pop deconstructs the classic Garibaldi with coconut and pineapple. The Jack D. elevates the Whisky Sour with apricot and warming spices. And the Margaret P.C. — a reimagined Margarita made with both tsipouro and tequila — is a perfect example of how Maggie takes the familiar and gives it substance and character.

Alongside the drinks, the bar food at Maggie Cassidy carries plenty of personality and creativity. The Japanese meatballs are soft and flavourful; the corn ribs smoky and playful; while the yakitori-style chicken strikes a balance between juicy and caramelised. The mini burgers stand out, as does the chicken souvlaki trilogy, both of which reintroduce classic comfort food through a modern, imaginative lens.

Returning to the cocktails, one idea I particularly love — and find extremely functional — is the choice to offer many drinks in mini versions. This is a trend championed by Tyler Zielinski in his book “Tiny Cocktails: The Art of Miniature Mixology,” promoting a drinking culture that allows for variety, exploration and better balance.

In Athens, Maggie Cassidy is among the first to embrace this approach, alongside Quinn’s and Drupes. Abroad, we see similar movements at Bar Leone in Hong Kong, Sips in Barcelona, Tayer + Elementary in London, Bar Nouveau in Paris, and Spy Bar, also in London. It’s a trend I’d love to see spread across more bars in the city — because it allows us to explore more flavours without consuming excessive alcohol.

Info: Laskaridou 7 & Louizis Riancour, Ampelokipoi