During the high season, Rhodes claims one of the most active nighttime scenes in Greece outside of Athens. Granted, some of that energy is grounded in the resort complexes north of the city, but there is enough to go around.
Your own common sense is as good a guide as any in this ever-changing scene. In a city as compact as Rhodes, it's best to follow the lights and noise, and get a little lost. When you decide to call it quits, shout down a taxi (if you're outside the Old Town) to bring you back -- just remember where you're staying.
As a rule of thumb, the younger foreign set will find the New Town livelier than the Old Town. Cafe scenes are located on the harbor, behind Academy Square, or on Galias near New Market. The bar scene tends to line up along Diakonou. In the Old Town, most of the clubs and bars are found along Miltiadhou -- these tend to be more frequented by the local youth. There must be at least 100 nightclubs on Rhodes, so you're sure to find one to your liking.
Gambling is a popular nighttime activity in Greece. Rhodes, for many years, housed one of Greece's six legal casinos, a government-operated roulette and blackjack house adjoining the Grand Hotel. Now in private hands and known as the Casino Rodos, it is in the Grande Albergo delle Rose, in the New Town; admission costs 15€, and patrons must be at least 23 years old.
Unfortunately, the sound-and-light (son et lumière) production that for many years entertained and informed visitors with its dramatic presentation of the history of Rhodes was terminated in 2010 due to Greece's budgetary problems. We can only hope that it will be restored by the time this edition of the guide is in use. The public sat in the gardens just outside the walls adjacent to the Plateia Rimini in the New Town and it was one of the most pleasant diversions on a summer evening. Check at your hotel or any travel agency to learn if it has been revived (and if so, then be sure to check for the English-language performances). Admission was 6€ for adults, 2€ for youths, and free for children 10 and under.
Alas, too, the Traditional Folk Dance Theater of the Nelly Dimoglou Dance Company, was also terminated in 2010 for the same budgetary reasons. Located at Adronikou, off Plateia Arionos, Old Town (tel. 22410/20-157), this internationally acclaimed company has always been lively, colorful, and utterly entertaining. Spirited young men and women perform dances from many areas of Greece, often in embroidered flouncy costumes. Performances usually took place May through early October, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:15pm. Admission was 12€ for adults. Ask at your hotel or travel agency to learn if this has been restored.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
