22-Sep-06 There are six places on Hydra Island Greece where you can have a dance in a place that could be called a Night Club. Hydra doesn't have the huge clubs that you'll find on other islands such as Santorini or Mykonos. But we still have a choice of venues and most people end up bouncing between them during the early hours as they're all so close together. All have dancing inside and a few bar stools with lots of tables and chairs outside. Note: in the evenings you’ll get your drinks quicker if you order from the waiters and waitresses rather than standing at the bar hoping to be noticed.

Starting in the east corner of the harbour and working round to the west, you have the Amalour, Pirate, Nautilos, Saronicos, the most recently opened Omilos and just below the Sunset Restaurant you have the Ydronetta. Each has a completely different atmosphere and appeal.

Amalour BarThe Amalour Bar opens at eight each evening and is run by Aleko (of FACK Entertainment) with Vasillis and Daniella front of house taking the orders.

This is the most cosmopolitan bar on Hydra drawing all of the elite, VIP's and famous visitors and of course everyone wanting to enjoy the atmosphere which can be upbeat and exciting or more laid back depending on the night and who's around.

The music tends towards Latin rhythms but is varied depending on the DJ. The cocktails are excellently mixed and amazingly quick. It's an entertainment in itself just to watch the speed the drinks are poured with!

Amalour insideOutside there are lots of little tables and director chairs that get rearranged as groups of friends enlarge throughout the evening. The bar rarely closes before four in the morning in high season.

You'll find the Amalour on Tombazis Street, just along from the Alpha Bank on the east corner of the harbour (where the water taxis park). The Amalour is very definitely the place to be seen and to meet people of all ages.

The Pirate Bar is open all day and all night. The bar was established in 1976 and this year celebrated its thirtieth anniversary still going as strong as ever. In the evenings (after 10ish during high season) the bar undergoes a metamorphosis being handed over by Wendy and Takis (the day shift) to the care of Zeus and his team for the night.

The Pirate have a number of regular DJ’s who have different styles depending on who is in for the night and what type of music they want to dance to. The Pirate also really encourage guest DJ’s.

Located in the west corner of the port, the Pirate Bar has the largest area for outside seating and in high season it can be packed with a real buzz of people coming and going. The closer you get to the bar the bigger the buzz and so on party nights, the steps next to the bar also get packed with revellers who want to be close to the action. It’s also a good vantage point to see who’s “in”!

The Nautilos Bar is the next along the harbour heading west. It’s not as cosmopolitan as the Amalour and Pirate, catering more on the music front for the local young Greeks.

The Nautilos is open only in the evening after 9ish. Occasionally it seems to be open during the day but only in very high season. There are seats outside and a dance floor inside. After about 1:00 it gets very busy with the younger Greek waiters and waitresses who head there to let their hair down.

I’ve personally only ever visited the Nautilos once in all the time that I’ve lived on the island, not because it doesn’t sound like it’s fun but more because it tends to play Greek music for a younger "set". But on the one occasion that I did, I found everyone a great time, the drinks were good and the staff friendly.

The Saronicos Bar is only a few meters further along from the Nautilos. They play mainstream popular music plus a bit of Greek dance music thrown in for good measure. As with the Nautilos the bar really caters for the local Greeks but more the older crowd.

Omilos BarOmilos is the newest of the five and arguably the most upmarket of the lot. Situated in the building variously known as the "Yachting Club" or the "Lagoudera" at different times, Omilos is part of the nicknamed "FACK Entertainment" enterprise. After a three day period over Easter 2007 for a huge party it opened officially as a place to come for swimming, eating and dancing. The appearance is slick, upmarket and exclusive. Visitors can come for a morning swim followed by breakfast and to read their newspapers over a good cup of coffee. There's an excellent menu for lunch and an extended menu for dinner. At night the tempo is upped and there's great dancing inside. Resident dj's play a variety of music to suit the mood of the evening and the Omilos has one of the best dance floors on the island. The high ceiling and excellent air-conditioning will make it a great favourite with non-smoking revellers!

Ydronetta TerraceThe Ydronetta Bar is almost out of town and below the Sunset Taverna, which you have to walk through to reach it.

Whatever time of the day or evening, you are always guaranteed a laid back welcome from brothers Ilias and Andreas.

The bar and therefore the official dance floor is small but this is never a problem as partying overspills out onto the terrace where strategically placed speakers ensure that the volume still sounds as though you’re inside.

The Full Moon parties are a must.

As with the Amalour, Omilos and Pirate, the clientele of the Ydronetta is much more cosmopolitan and you get a wide range of ages.

The Ydronetta is open all day and very late into the early hours but closes over the winter. The night scene really gets started about an hour after sunset.