The first bar was really cool, called Noel if you want to look it up. It had very eccentric yet classy decor, expensive ancient vases and shit everywhere. And the cherry on top was that they played oldies dance hall music, like American 50's and 60's pop. We figured it was to feel American and old-timey, but we liked it.
Anyway, next bar, rooftop, great view, also playing 50's music. "Huh, what a coincidence, maybe they ripped the idea off of the other place." We met some Greeks who were very nice and we did the whole talk about our country then learn about their country (Greek politics are fucked btw). They recommended non-touristy, REAL nightlife places, like a list of five or six places.
We went to the first, nothing, it was dead. Went to the second place, closed. Started walking towards the third and as we round the corner we see a massive crowd of young people, all Greek, overflowing into the street around this club. "Okay, that's the one." I was the only blonde person on the block.
We go in and it's a live band playing Greek soft rock, it was okay, but the locals didn't seem to pay attention. Then they say something over the microphone and introduced the headliner. A Greek rock band came out on stage and everyone cheered.
And then, to our total utter surprise, they started playing... Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lewis, including the whole piano solo. And the Greeks went ballistic, dancing like it was 1957. The lead singer on stage was all over the place like Elvis. Then they played Jailhouse Rock, a few others I don't remember, and within 5 songs we were all doing The Twist. We had to question whether or not we somehow went back in time.
Eventually we asked a local, "Oh yes, this music everyone's favorite" and then it made sense, the youth in Greek just really like partying to American 50's music. Culture is so weird and unpredictable. Thought you might find that interesting. Maybe it'll make it into my "Clubbing Around the World" book.
