Somewhere in the ocean between mainland Greece and Italy you will find the Ionian Islands, one of which is Ithaca. Ithaca is the smallest of these islands and if truth be told, when I arrived I found myself struck by two things. The first was the fact that it’s possibly the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, the second was that it is small and quiet… I remember thinking, ‘does anything even happen here?’ Oh, but was I wrong…
Opened in 2007 by brothers, Dini and Pete, it didn’t take long for Fiorendino Snack Bar Café to become one of my favourite places on the island. In fact, I was probably there for a drink, a dance or a chat with someone at least 5 times a week – and should you stay after midnight, the place literally goes crazy and you will be dancing until the sun comes up!
I caught up with Dini, the owner, to find out a little more about the bar and it’s famous ‘Big Wednesday’, a themed night that takes place every Wednesday during the Summer season. (As a side note; if you decide to get married on Ithaca, this would definitely be the place to go for your Stag and Hen nights – and you should most definitely make sure that they take place on a Wednesday!).
Maxeen: So Dini, where did the name of the bar come from?
Dini: It’s actually named after my grandfather.
Maxeen: Was he a party animal?
Dini: Yes! Up in Exoghi, he used to enjoy his wine.
Maxeen: How did Big Wednesday come about?
Dini: Well, we wanted to do something fun and different on the island so sometimes there’s a dress code or theme, or on other nights we do things like face painting. Over the last few years it’s grown into the biggest night of the week.
Maxeen: And the bar’s motto, ‘You will never drink alone’?
Dini: Well, we wanted this to be a place that people can come whether they’re alone or not; you’ll still have fun. Someone will have a drink with you, chat to you or maybe even have a dance.
And I can testify to that! I walked in at the beginning of my holiday, only knowing a handful of people on the island and when I left the island I had not only had the time of my life, but I had a whole group of new friends too.
- The best thing to drink on a hot day: Ice Chocolate
- The best thing to drink at night: A Watermelon Cocktail
So, do yourself a favour if you are ever in that part of the world… Find your way to Ithaca and get yourself to Fiorendino Snack Bar Café. Just do it – you can thank me later.
