Brettos Plaka

The unsuspecting visitor of the historic center of Athens cannot miss the hundreds of colorful bottles and lights that adorn the walls of "Brettos". "BRETTOS" is the oldest distillery in Athens. It began operations for the first time back in 1909 on the ground floor of an Athenian old mansion in the heart of Plaka. There, its founder, Mr. Michael Brettos, started producing ouzo, brandy, and several liqueur flavors, ranging from classic varieties such as cherry and peppermint to unique ones like citrus and masticha, all made with age-old family recipes from Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey). Since 1909, despite being nearly a century old, little has changed at Mr. Brettos' old-fashioned distillery. It continues to operate as a bar in this tiny, incredibly beautiful, charming, and timeless place. Visitors are served ouzo, 3.5 and 7 star brandy, over 35 different types of liqueurs—none of which are found anywhere else in stores selling alcohol or groceries—traditional Greek spirits, wines, and beers. Frequented by both locals and tourists alike, it offers a warm welcome to everyone. Those passing through can choose to sit down and sample whatever liqueur they desire or purchase an entire bottle should they wish to have something to take away or bring home. Inside the small shop remains much as it always was. What immediately catches your eye is the stunning display along one wall where rows upon rows of colored glass bottles stand illuminated from behind, filling up the space from floor to ceiling, creating a vibrant color palette contrasting beautifully against the backdrop of aged wood paneling dating back two centuries.