If you’re wondering how to plan the perfect night out in Greece’s number one party destination, you’ve come to the right place!
After spending the last two summers living and working in Ios (while partying every night), I am your certified Ios Greece nightlife expert.
This Ios nightlife guide will cover everything you need to know about when to start your night, which bars to go to, what to wear, what day of the week to come and of course where to get the best Gyros on the way home.
How to get to Ios
To experience the madness of Ios nightlife for yourself, you’ll need to get there safely first. As there is no airport in Ios, this will mean tackling the infamous Greek Island ferry system.
You can read my full guide here on how to navigate the ferry to Ios – if you want the shortest ferry ride possible I recommend flying into Santorini. You can fly into Santorini Airport and catch the ferry to Ios in about 1.5 hours.
My top tip: Unless you can line up your flight/ferry times with 4-5 hours inbetween I would suggest staying a night somewhere and then getting your ferry to Ios.
Delays can and do happen in the Greek islands, and the airports in Mykonos and Santorini are about a 30-minute drive from the ferry port.
Will it matter what day of the week I come to Ios?
One of the coolest things about Ios compared to other party islands, is that there are no days of the week here! All the bars and clubs in Ios are open every night during the summer season.
If you do want to go to Far Out Beach Club, the big DJ’s are generally scheduled every 2-3 days. The Far Out schedule for summer 2024 will be released here in mid June.
What month should you come to Ios?
The most important timing to consider when planning your trip to Ios is what month you are coming. If you want to go to Far Out Beach Club, this opens in mid-June and runs through to mid-September.
For the rest of the bars and clubs, they begin to open in mid-May and every bar is mostly open by the start of June. The trickle of closing parties happen from the end of August onwards.
Which bars should I go to?
My number one tip for experiencing Ios nightlife is to go bar hopping! Each venue has its own unique vibe and each night is different. For a list of all 20 of the best bars on the island, I’ve got you covered here.
I would suggest trying to visit at least 4-5 bars each night in Ios. That way if you’re on the island for 2-3 nights, you’ll have a chance to cover all 10 of the best Ios venues and head back to the one’s you like.
Top 5 bars in Ios
If you’re short on time and want my top 5 recommendations, this is where I would go:
1. Slammer Bar
If you’ve ever wanted to do a shot and get hit on the head with a fire hydrant (or even a chair) – Then you need to visit Slammer Bar. And don’t worry they put a helmet on you first!
Slammer is located up a small alleyway next to the square and Traffic Bar. Slammer Bar feels like stepping into a rave-cave with low ceilings and tunes pumping until 5am every night.
My best tip is to get a stamp early and you can get back in later for free. Entry during 2023 peak hours was €10 with a free slammer shot.
2. Flames Bar
If getting hit on the head with a fire hydrant doesn’t quite cut it for you, how about being slapped in the face?
Flames Bar is home to the iconic Ios slap shot – and don’t worry, they do hit you hard.
Another small but iconic Ios bar that has been open for over 30 years, Flames feels like a step back in time.
The music is a mix of top 40 hits from the last few decades and it’s open until 3am every night. If you do 7 wet pussy shots you can even score yourself a red Flames Bar G-string.
3. Shush
If you’re looking for Ios’ one and only silent disco, head to Shush Bar.
With crazy neon lighting, three music channels to choose from and the infamous punching bag, Shush has something for everyone.
In 2023 entry was €10 and included a headset with a choice of RNB, pop or techno tunes.
This was one of the most popular Ios bars in 2023 and was open until 5am every night. To avoid a line I recommend heading here before 12am or after 2am.
4. Pash
As the old saying goes, if you didn’t go to Pash, did you even go to Ios? Pash nightclub is an Ios experience in itself and it’s one you can’t miss.
But it is NOT for the faint-hearted. Think strobe lights, blaring music and people dancing on the bar.
Pash is open until around 5am or 6am every night in summer but it can be a bit of a madhouse between 1am and 4am.
If it’s so busy you can’t even get to the door, I suggest heading to another venue and coming back a bit later.
5. Escobar
A bar that would make Pablo Escobar proud, Escobar is rave-in-a-cave style bar with over 100 different shots on the menu.
Escobar plays all the classic hits you know and love, and you can even order buckets of alcohol.
If you’re feeling a bit hungover I love the Powerade or Vitamin C bucket – it feels like you’re hydrating and drinking at the same time.
On the shot menu, make sure you get a friend to try the ‘Cocksucker’ shot – you can thank me later. Escobar is open until 3am every night in summer and is on the main strip of bars under Shush Bar.
What do I wear on a night out in Ios?
When I say there is absolutely no dresscode in Ios, I mean it. Trust me, I’ve gone out in my pyjamas before. But most people choose something cute and casual. In peak summer it is HOT, even at night.
If you’re wondering what to pack, here are some ideas – girls leave the heels at home and guys don’t worry about long pants.
It is also an Ios tradition to buy 7-shots and get a free singlet or a t-shirt. So if you’d like to bring a sounvenir (or ten) home with you, leave some room in your suitcase. Some people end up coming home with one from every bar.
What time do I start my night out in Ios?
The number one rule of tackling a night out in Ios is not to start too early! The latest venues in Ios like Pash and Sweet Irish Dream don’t close until 5 or 6am, so if you want to make it all the way – it’s a marathon not a sprint.
Pre-drinks
I suggest starting with a late-ish dinner around 8 or 9pm with a couple of drinks (don’t go crazy on the pre-drinks though trust me).
Early bars
After this, head to some of the earlier venues in Chora like Lost Boys Bar, Astra, Delta or Circus to start your night around 10 or 11pm.
Peak party hours
Peak hours in Ios are between 1am and 3am, so be prepared for some craziness in venues like Pash, Traffic, Disco 69, Flames and Shush.
If you’re heading to Far Out Beach Club, this finishes up around 10 or 11pm so you can head into the village to go bar hopping after this.
How much are drinks in Ios?
In 2023 the average price of a cocktail in Ios was €10 – €12. Mixed drinks were between €5 – €7 and shots were between €4 – €6.
If you’re looking for cheap drinks in Ios, in 2023 you could get €1 shots at Johnny’s Electric, 3 for €10 Jagerbombs at most bars and 3 for €5 shots at Vesuvius Bar.
I’ll update this with 2024 prices in May so stay tuned.
Is there cover charge in Ios?
In the past few years, some venues in Ios have started charging for entry. For the majority though you get a free drink in return (or a Slammer shot in Slammer Bar).
If you are on a budget I would recommend going before 12am and getting a stamp in the more popular venues.
Once I get more details on 2024 prices I will update you here, stay tuned!
Where is the best late night Gyros on your way home?
My personal favourites are:
Must Souvlaki (next to Ios bakery)
Don’t forget to order the ‘special sauce’ – it is legendary.
Yummy’s
Yummy’s gyros are cheap and delicious (and they have quite a few veggie options too). But the best part by far is the techno music they play all night long.
Souvlucky
If you’re coming out of Slammer or Pash you can head straight up to Souvlucky for one of the cheapest Gyros on the island.
Club Sandwhich
If you’re a chips and gravy fan, Club Sandwhich (just up from Souvlucky) has my favourite chippies on the island.
Ios Bakery
If you’d prefer something a little lighter, another Ios classic is a chicken pie from Ios Bakery.
What if I want to do a group bar crawl?
If you’d prefer to have your night planned for you and an instant group friends to party with, I highly recommend the Life is A Beach Party bar crawl.
If you’re in Ios for 3 or more nights, the Life is A Beach Party wristband is an awesome way to get 2 free bar crawls and heaps of other discounts and inclusions.
You can find out more and buy your tickets on the Life is A Beach Party website.