The frappé was born here. Get out too.

Nights in Thessaloniki

In Thessaloniki a night out often starts with a walk along the seafront, from the White Tower to the Umbrellas, and carries on into the side streets: tsipouro and meze in Ladadika or Bit Bazaar, drinks on Valaoritou, music until late. And when dawn breaks, the night ends with a warm bougatsa.

It is a city of students and friend groups, where people strike up a conversation easily, but the groups are close-knit from their university years. If you arrived recently or your friends are not going out tonight, YesTonite shows you who is out nearby, and one message is enough.

They say the frappé was first made here, by accident, at the 1957 International Fair. Since then the city takes its coffee at its own pace, but it takes the night seriously.

Thessaloniki goes out all week, and Thursday already feels like the weekend. Dinner after ten, drinks after midnight, bougatsa at first light.

Where Thessaloniki goes out

• LadadikaOld warehouses near the port, with small tavernas, bars and clubs.
• ValaoritouThe bar street in the centre, packed until late.
• Bit BazaarJunk shops by day, tsipouro and meze at little tables by night.
• Navarinou SquareA student hangout next to the Galerius complex, with coffee and drinks on every corner.
• Nea ParaliaThe seafront promenade, with the Umbrellas and sunsets over the Thermaic Gulf.
• Ano PoliCobbled lanes, castle walls and tavernas with views over the whole city.