Dont ask - don't tell - gay Greek

From the many years I have lived in Greece, it is clear to me that the motto of the US army in regards to gay soldiers, applies here in social and in particular in family life. There seems to be a certain unspoken agreement about the subject of sexual orientation.

I have many gay Greek friends and acquaintances and yet none of them are out in that their families know. Well actually this is not strictly true. Of course their families know - they just prefer to pretend they don't. So there seems to be some precarious unspoken social contract. Let's ignore this uncomfortable topic and then it simply does not exist.
This, of course, does anything but put the issue of gay rights on the political agenda.

Gay night life in Thessaloniki

As I said do not go out too early otherwise you will end up talking to yourself. Should you decide to take my advice and try Enola (not before midnight, remember!) then before going there why not stop by Elvis on the main promenade of the city, Nikis Avenue. Personally I find the music (like everything else in this country) a bit on the loud side but the clients are stylish, gay and VERY in. This is one of the places to see and be seen on the Thessaloniki gay scene.
. If you prefer something a little more laid back then on Paula Mela, about five minutes walk from the promenade, Nikis Avenue, walk straight up towards the St Sofia Church and ask for PAVLO MELA (As I spell it you promounce it). At the top on the right hand side you will find a bar which functions as a coffee shop during the day, BIGAROON (PAVLO MELA 44) and is mixed gay/lesbian. Even more laid back is the trendy and intellectual Spirto at PAVLO MELA 33 which is also open all day and it is quire pleasant to take a table on the sidewalk and watch the world go by.

gay clubs and bars in Thessaloniki, Gay guide Thessaloniki, Salonica, Salonico, gay Greece

To be honest there is nothing particularly openly gay-friendly about this city. OK it is a very young city on account of the two universities, Aristotle University and the University of Macedonia giving the city, I believe, over 70 000 students but if you want to find the gay clubs and bars you need to look. There is no gay area as such in Thessaloniki.
The best gay bar and club I know is Enola. Beware, like everywhere else in Greece, night life does not begin before midnight in this city so go too early and yu will end up keeping yourself company.<

Enola is situated in Valaoritia Street which you can locate on any tourist map and is only a few minutes from the central Aristoteles Square. The club/bar is on the first floor and just follow the boys to get there. It is a very decadent, Victorian style but comfortable atmosphere and at week-ends after 1:00 a.m. you basically cannot move. Music is very mixed and drinks are normal prices for any club. The clientele also covers all ages so you won't think you are at a children's birthday party. Fantastic atmosphere!

Gay Flight 001 Athens to Albania - put your watches forward 200 years.

Well done Albania, you have decided to legalise gay marriages in stark contrast to your southern neighbour Greece. Yes, believe it or not - and frankly I am surprised - the Albanian government has just announced this. Although Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, from the democratic party has said it will not be a popular decision, the government has decided that homosexual couples should have the same rights as hetersexual (Greece decided exactly the opposite last year).
Well I bet the Greek government will be a little more than embarrassed about the bovine intellect of their own current political parties here who pathetically refuse to recognise any gay rights. The country of Albania is mainly of Muslim origins with important Orthodox Christian and Catholic minorities. Anyway it would seem that although practicing religion was not allowed under the Communist regime from 1944-1990, it has made their minds larger not smaller.