One of the centre’s most classic bars, Barreldier, has been bringing a breath of Italy to Syntagma for more than ten years—and this year it returns even stronger as our go-to for evening salute with an all-new menu.
By Eleni Nikoloulia
Mario Basso is a constant of the city’s drinking scene. With Italian roots—and the temperament to match—I’ve lost count of how many years he’s been behind bars, but I know for certain that at Barreldier he delivers daily what many still struggle to achieve: flawlessly executed classic cocktails.
His new menu, titled “In Classic We Trust,” arrives in the height of summer to cool whatever patience we have left this year.
The bar team features Valantis Giamaio, Faidon Mavroyiannis, and Fotis Karamatzanis, and the menu itself is divided into three parts.
The tour begins with four barrel-aged cocktails, a technique Mario has championed since Barreldier’s first days. Here you’ll find a Negroni, a Manhattan, an El Presidente, and an Adonis.
Negroni lovers will find their very own playground at Barreldier, as the second section is dedicated to the king of Italian classics. Beyond the standard Negroni, the twists proposed by the team include a Sour Negroni with aquafaba and bergamot bitters; a Boulevardier (Negroni with whisky) with quince; and a White Negroni with gentian liqueur and green apple, which has rested in a jar for three months.
Highlight worth noting: everything used in the menu’s cocktails—from bitters and syrups to the vermouths—is made by the bar team. And of course, there are signature recipes, which once again are thoughtful twists on classics.
See you at the bar for antipasti and Negronis!