When most people think of Greece, they imagine sun-bleached islands, sparkling cerulean seas, and jugs of crisp white wine shared over long taverna lunches. Beer, if it comes to mind at all, is usually associated with the mass-produced labels found in nearly every beach bar: ice-cold pints of Mythos, Alpha, or Amstel, often served in frosty glass mugs straight from the freezer. It’s refreshing, sure, but for years, Greek beer rarely ventured beyond the standard pale lager. That’s changing fast.
Over the past decade, Greece has gradually been joining the craft beer revolution, albeit a little slower than other nations. The country is now home to over 60 independent breweries, scattered across the mainland and islands, from Athens and Thessaloniki to Crete, Santorini, and Corfu. These small-batch brewers are experimenting with everything from hazy IPAs and barrel-aged stouts to beers infused with local ingredients like thyme honey, citrus peel, or wild herbs from the Greek mountains.
On the island of Rhodes, the craft beer trend has taken longer to ferment, but it’s growing. Traditionally, the Rhodes drinking scene has revolved around two settings: the tourist-friendly beach bars and hotel lounges, where light lagers flow freely, and the old-school pubs and ouzeries, where locals gather over ouzo, tsipouro, or house wine. Beer, until recently, wasn’t something people discussed, dissected, and taken seriously. It was just cold, cheap, and plentiful.
A new generation of breweries and bars are changing that. Rhodes now boasts a small but vibrant craft beer community, centred around a few standout venues and its first microbrewery, The Mule’s Brew, located in the village of Archangelos. In Rhodes Town, bars like Charlie’s Craft Beer Garden are bringing high-quality Greek and international beers to the island’s thirsty visitors and locals alike. Meanwhile, Dromos Street Food and Beerokouto offer casual, beer-forward alternatives to the usual tourist bars, serving up carefully curated beer menus alongside Greek comfort food.
Even in Lindos, where cocktail bars and rooftop terraces dominate, places like Apollo Bar are quietly introducing craft beers into the mix, proving that the island’s drinking culture is evolving beyond the standard pilsner.
So whether you’re a beer aficionado seeking your next IPA, or a casual visitor curious to try something different from the usual Greek lager, here’s where to find craft beer in Rhodes.
The Best Breweries & Craft Beer Bars in Rhodes, Greece
Although the craft beer scene in Rhodes isn’t quite as developed as it is in the midland cities of Athens or Thessaloniki, there are a few fantastic bars and pubs offering beers from Greek microbreweries. Whether you’re sampling fresh brews at The Mule’s Brew, savouring a hazy IPA at Charlie’s Craft Beer Garden, or grabbing a gyros and beer combo at Dromos, the island’s beer culture is gradually developing and offers an interesting alternative to the usual beach-bar fare.
The Mule's Brew
With the majority of the beer taps in Rhodes being occupied by the big, national beer companies, it can be difficult to find something that is truly local. Part of the problem is that there is only one craft producer on the Island: The Mule’s Brew, Rhodes’ first and only microbrewery.
Occupying a strange position near Archangelos, on the main road between Rhodes Town and Lindos, this small brewery is all about handcrafted, unfiltered beers made with island water and quality Greek grains.
Visitors can tour the brewery to learn about the brewing process, but this is a relatively tiny operation, and the best way to see what they do is to take a seat in their relatively sparse and basic taproom and sip your way through a tasting flight. When I visited, there were 5 different beers on offer: A radler, a Pilsner, an IPA, a red ale and a weissbier.
While the brewery is not particularly close to any of the island’s major sights and is a bit of a trek from Rhodes Town, it’s an ideal stop on a road trip around the island and is easily combined with visits to the nearby beaches of Stegna or Tsambika.
Where: EO Rodou Lindou, Archaggelos 851 02
When: Daily 11am – 7pm
Charlie's Craft Beer Garden
Tucked away on a quiet side street on the eastern side of the old town, Charlie’s Craft Beer Garden is as much about atmosphere as it is about beer. Housed in a lovingly restored Italianate courtyard, this spot feels worlds away from the bustle of tourist shops just a few streets over and a quiet escape from the pounding music emanating from the bars of nearby Arionos Square.
The beer list is as good as any you’ll find on the island and rotates regularly. You’ll typically find eight taps pouring a mix of Greek craft brews and European imports. Expect IPAs, lagers, wheat beers, and the occasional sour. There’s also an extensive bottle selection for those who want to explore beyond what’s on draft.
However, just as much as the beer, it’s the garden setting that makes this a place worth visiting, complete with fairy lights and soft jazz, contained within the historic stone walls. When I visited, it was quiet and peaceful, making it the perfect for a slow evening drink away from the throngs of tourists found elsewhere in the Old Town.
Where: Archelaou 3, Rodos 851 00
When: Monday to Saturday 12pm – 12am; Sunday 2pm – 12am
Dromos Street Food
While this is not a bar, or even a place that specialises specifically in craft beer, I was surprised to discover that Dromos Street Food offers a carefully curated range of ales when I popped in for a quick bite to eat. This relaxed eatery serves up Greek street food classics like gyros and souvlaki, but pairs them with a thoughtful selection of craft beers, both on tap and in a bottle. Yes, you will find the ubiquitous Mythos or Alfa in their fridges, but this these are complemented by brews from smaller, Greek craft producers.
It’s a great spot if you’re looking for a quick bite without sacrificing quality. The setting is casual, with outdoor seating in one of Rhodes Old Town’s narrow streets, making it perfect for people-watching over a cold beer.
Where: Papagou 2, Rodos 851 00
When: Monday to Saturday 1pm – 9pm
Beerõkouto
My favourite craft beer bar in all of Rhodes, you’ll find Beerokouto within the medieval walls of the old town, on a side street that sits between the Street of the Knights and the bustling thoroughfare of Sokratus. With dim lighting and graffiti-covered walls, this has all the trappings of a typical craft beer den, only it serves – almost exclusively – beers from small microbreweries from all across Greece and its islands.
You’ll find just 6 beers on tap (when I visited, there were 5 Voreia offerings and one NEIPA from Happy Brewers, all part of Siris craft brewery in Thessaloniki), but the fridges are packed with dozens of cans and bottles that represent the best of the country’s beer scene.
This selection is one of the best on the island for Greek craft beer, but they also have a food menu brimming with delicious dishes (think typical pub fare such as burgers and loaded fries alongside Greek classics) and some spectacular cocktails. I can highly recommend their strawberry Aperol concoction in which the spirit is infused with fruit for 3 days and topped with crisp cider. It’s sweet, sickly, and one of the tastiest drinks I have ever imbibed.
Where: Agisandrou 4, Rodos 851 00
When: Monday to Friday 5pm – 2pm; Saturday 5pm – 12am
Lindian Apollo bar
Sitting on Rhodes’ east coast, the picture-perfect village of Lindos is known for its clusters of chalk-white houses, winding lanes, and archaeological treasures such as the 4th-century acropolis that towers high above the village, offering panoramic views over the Aegean Sea.
The whitewashed town that sits below the peak is a romantic labyrinth of rooftop bars, candlelit tavernas, high-end shops and cafes that often occupy beautifully designed courtyards. You are never too far from a great drinking spot. However, while many Lindos bars cater to cocktail drinkers and beach-goers, Apollo Bar has carved out a niche as the village’s main craft beer haven.
Sitting back from one of Lindos’ cobbled alleys, this small bar serves up Greek IPAs, wheat beers, and lagers alongside a fantastic range of classic cocktails. You will only find Voreia on tap as well as bottles from the likes of Strange Brew, Noctua, and Happy Brewers alongside many other beers from across Greece.
While the inside of the bar is a charming mix of classic cocktail bar with a modern, stylish flourish, it’s best to take a seat on the expansive terrace. Whitewashed walls, stone floors, and views of the Acropolis rising above the village. Order a cold bottle from Septem, Pikri, or another Greek microbrewery and appreciate its refreshing taste after a day of climbing up to the ancient ruins.
Where: Lindos 851 07
When: Daily 9am – 3pm
The Tap Beer Bar
Found in Afantou, a town that lies around 20km south of Rhodes town and just 6km south of Faliraki, the Tap Bar is a relative newcomer on the Rhodes beer scene. It’s a small, yet modern bar with a sleek interior and nice outdoor terrace, friendly staff, and a strong selection of Greek and international craft beers.
Expect several taps pouring rotating options of IPAs, pale ales, sours, and lagers, alongside a solid fridge stocked with bottles and cans from across Europe (with a strong showing of Belgian and German classics) and Greece. The Tap is especially popular with younger locals and travellers looking for a casual, beer-focused night out.
Where: Ethnarchou Makariou 26, Afantou 851 03
When: Daily 5pm – 2am
Rhodes Beer Map
Although microbreweries and craft beer bars can be few and far between on Rhodes, the map below will help you seek them out, featuring every bar and brewery covered in the above list.
Using this map: This map shows the island’s breweries (red icons), and craft beer bars (yellow icons). The list can be seen and filtered by toggling the icon on the top left-hand side of the map, and each location can be explored further by clicking them. Expand the map by clicking the icon on the top right-hand side.
Getting to Rhodes
There are regular international flights arriving at Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras), located around 14km from Rhodes Town. During the summer season, the airport is served by the majority of the UK’s main airports, as well as numerous direct flights from major European cities. Year-round connections are also available via Athens. Alternatively, ferries connect Rhodes to Piraeus (Athens’ port) and several nearby islands, offering a scenic and slower-paced, way to travel.
Getting Around Rhodes
Getting around Rhodes is relatively easy, with buses being the main form of public transport. There are two companies covering the island: RODA operates routes in the north (serving Rhodes Town, Ixia, and Faliraki), while KTEL runs services to the south (serving Lindos, Pefkos, and Prasonisi). Expect to pay around €2 to €6 each way, depending on the distance. Be aware that schedules can be irregular, especially on weekends or during off-peak months.
Taxis are widely available in towns and can be hailed at taxi ranks or booked by phone. While taxis are usually metered, longer journeys, such as from Rhodes Town to Lindos, will have a fixed price, so it’s worth confirming the fare before setting off.
In Rhodes Town, much of the historic Old Town is pedestrianised, making it best explored on foot. For short hops along the coast, boat taxis connect popular beach resorts in summer, offering a scenic alternative to the roads.
I found that the best way to explore the island was to rent my own hire car, which allowed me a greater freedom without relying on public transport. Discover Cars are a great company to use for this as they allow you to compare multiple providers before booking.
