In a beautiful old mansion of Platonos street, within the walls of Nicosia, is the "mystery" Plato's pub! In about 23 years of existence in the capital's night life and wrote history.It is no coincidence, moreover, included in the list of Best Bars of the World on "Newsweek International" magazine, but this is definitely not interested in any of the regulars - at least now!
When the clock strikes 20:00 and is New Year's Eve or Easter Saturday, the four candles around the black plaque with the inscription Plato's artistic light. This means that the pub is open. If you know what lies behind the wooden door of Plato Street, then to push through and enter with confidence. If you heard about it from some known and sought in the alleys of the old city, you may need help. If you found out that door at random, then it is very likely not understand that wooden door hidden behind a pub.
The Plato's either you love it or you do not like at all. There is no middle ground! It's knowing how to find that you like beer, but not be excluded and that the food menu includes very few options - you know what you want to eat before you go to Plato's! Just the atmosphere, a little music, a bit subversive slogans on the walls, the dusty bottles and broken glasses on the shelves ...
I liked the Plato's because its customers were missing all those supposedly "in" the nightlife of Nicosia and above all the kids who make a beer look like a playground that sells alcohol. In the adjacent bar stools can be a soldier sat EL.DY.K. or a foreign businessman who was in Nicosia for an international symposium.
Many of our questions, like the mystery ... of the cellar on the first floor, undertook to clarify the manager of Plato's, Leonidas Leventis.
When Plato's created and by whom? What is the current owner?
The Plato's opened in 1987 by Mr. Puzant Nadjarian, widely known as Jean. This year Jean had returned from France where he had gone after the Turkish invasion of 1974.The space houses the Plato's previously used by the youth of DI.SY. as a lounge.
The last six years the administration has to Plato's company, which after the departure of Jean from active duty, assigned to the general direction to me. I'm working in Plato's the last 14 years!
In your website (www.platosbar.com) say it is one of the most "unique bars in the world". What is your style?
The style of Plato's want to be a classic. It combines the decor of the American bar with a warm and familiar to all of the wood element, which meet in the pubs of England and Central Europe. Musical selections heard blues, jazz, rock and alternative.
The Plato's singles, also for large portions of food, although we want our menu is always small, but covers all tastes delicious. Hallmark of our menu is of course the marinated souvlaki, chicken or pork. But it is unique and our huge cheeseburger, homemade lachmatzoun and Scottish smoked salmon. The menu is filled with two kinds of vegetarian burgers and pizza.
The bar is famous for having the largest collection in Cyprus blended and malt whiskeys, vodkas, cognacs and several other, very rarely drinks from around the world.
We are also proud of our beautiful courtyard, which now operates in the winter with the help of two large fireplaces.
It is said, however, that you have and the rich variety of beer on whole Cyprus. It is true? How does this?
It is true! However, this needs a lot of knowledge on the subject, and large storage areas, and refrigerators. We buy beer so representatives from companies and directly from breweries around the world.
But the one you raised, we must say that the wine cellar of Plato's is as rich and can meet the requirements of many friends of wine.
The wine cellar offers up to 350 euros a bottle. We have huge collection of first class French wines, Grand Cru, in bottles of 37.5 cl (half) and 75 cl. The maintenance of a good wine cellar needs great knowledge because it can be seen as an investment. Our strategy is to invest "En Primeur", ie to buy great wines after making inquiries and follow all notices and reports shall, two years before bottling and enter the global market. The cellar of wine filled with "tags" from Italy, Spain, Greece, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Cyprus, Argentina and Portugal.
What is the style of its customers Plato's?
The ages of our customers starting mostly from the 25. Strictly forbid entry to anyone under 18 years. We call it "serious customers" because people are looking to enjoy a night in a decent environment and be confident that you will not have unpleasant surprises! We are high on the list of many major companies of Nicosia, who want to entertain their clients, whether they are Cypriots or foreigners.
It is true that you have dress code?
A few years ago does not permit entry to men wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts, but now, due to climatic conditions and fashion, restricting the sleeveless jerseys. If one is lucky, you give it a new coat of Plato's to not be forced to leave, but we have not always available! It may sound a bit tight, but I think that our effort to keep some rules recognized by our customers, such as strict time 20:00 to 2:00, the only two holidays (Saturday and Eve Protochronias), that the kitchen closes at 24:15: We believe the quality standards and that is what brought us success. Reward of all this work is the placement of Plato's in the list of Best Bars of the World magazine "Newsweek International".
The interview was taken by George Constantinou, to whom belongs the article that is reprinted from the first publication in "Protevoussa" magazine, issue November 2010.
We are also proud of our beautiful courtyard, which now operates in the winter with the help of two large fireplaces.
It is said, however, that you have and the rich variety of beer on whole Cyprus. It is true? How does this?
It is true! However, this needs a lot of knowledge on the subject, and large storage areas, and refrigerators. We buy beer so representatives from companies and directly from breweries around the world.
But the one you raised, we must say that the wine cellar of Plato's is as rich and can meet the requirements of many friends of wine.
The wine cellar offers up to 350 euros a bottle. We have huge collection of first class French wines, Grand Cru, in bottles of 37.5 cl (half) and 75 cl. The maintenance of a good wine cellar needs great knowledge because it can be seen as an investment. Our strategy is to invest "En Primeur", ie to buy great wines after making inquiries and follow all notices and reports shall, two years before bottling and enter the global market. The cellar of wine filled with "tags" from Italy, Spain, Greece, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Cyprus, Argentina and Portugal.
What is the style of its customers Plato's?
The ages of our customers starting mostly from the 25. Strictly forbid entry to anyone under 18 years. We call it "serious customers" because people are looking to enjoy a night in a decent environment and be confident that you will not have unpleasant surprises! We are high on the list of many major companies of Nicosia, who want to entertain their clients, whether they are Cypriots or foreigners.
It is true that you have dress code?
A few years ago does not permit entry to men wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts, but now, due to climatic conditions and fashion, restricting the sleeveless jerseys. If one is lucky, you give it a new coat of Plato's to not be forced to leave, but we have not always available! It may sound a bit tight, but I think that our effort to keep some rules recognized by our customers, such as strict time 20:00 to 2:00, the only two holidays (Saturday and Eve Protochronias), that the kitchen closes at 24:15: We believe the quality standards and that is what brought us success. Reward of all this work is the placement of Plato's in the list of Best Bars of the World magazine "Newsweek International".
The interview was taken by George Constantinou, to whom belongs the article that is reprinted from the first publication in "Protevoussa" magazine, issue November 2010.
