Thessaloniki - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Thessaloniki has an active nightlife centering on the three expanding club districts and a strip of cafes along the waterfront. Clubs are loud, smoky, trendy, and packed. The more popular places often charge significant covers even for nights with recorded music. Hyatt Regency operates an upscale casino just outside the city that features slots and gaming tables. Two large nightclub and open-air theater complexes just beyond the western edge of the city offer a variety of jazz, rock, and (Greek) comedy performances. Thessaloniki is reputed to have over 3,000 restaurants, including hundreds of charming Greek restaurants and tavernas, many of them featuring al fresco dining. Non-Greek cuisine is confined to a few Italian, French, European, American, Mexican, Japanese and Chinese restaurants of varying quality. McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday’s, TGI Friday’s, Haagen Dazs, and Starbucks have outlets in the city, but not all foreign chains operating in Athens have opened in Thessaloniki. - Jul 2006
