Rosso Café Music Bar

If there is one place in Nafplio that has remained true to its excellent quality, its personal style and its special place over the years, it is definitely Rosso. And despite its great success, this all-day hangout does not rest on its glory, but renews itself, dares, and wins you over again from the start.
I lazily cross the lively Syntagma Square, pass the Archaeological Museum and the 15th century church of "Panagia" (Virgin Mary), and arrive at Rosso. This corner of Komninou and Pharmakopoulon streets has been home to Rosso for the past 20 years, but the familiarity of the place makes you feel like it has been here forever.
We are having a nice coffee with the owner Spyros Afifis, and I enjoy the conversation with him, since the perpetual traveler, collector of objects and experiences, creator of new ideas, lover of his place and active President of Nafplio's Dining Shops, always has so many nice and interesting things to share... He points out to me that since the last time we talked, Rosso has also entered the Cuisine field, with Greek breakfasts and hearty brunches, which of course I will tell you about. But if I had to deconstruct Rosso into three main elements, those would be its Decor, its Music, and its Cocktails.

Decoration, like a journey to the world's metropolises
Even if you don't know Rosso, if you pass by, you will surely admire its multifaceted decoration, a mixture of disparate objects and furniture that seem to effortlessly coexist in a magical way.
Outside, oversized umbrellas become the sky in a wonderful microcosm, with wood, cement and iron leading the way. All around you unique, handmade tables, chairs and armchairs, made with the upcycling technique, the creative reuse of objects, so imperative in today's world... Once you sit back to enjoy your coffee or drink, you'll start to notice one by one the "rosso" (red) details, like the original English telephone booth and the back half of a red VW Beetle!
Entering Rosso's interior, the first person to look you in the eye is John Lennon from its brick wall. I love sitting under his dioptric gaze, on the leather Chesterfield sofa, and gazing from there at my favorite corner, just across the room: shelves full of Spyros' travel memorabilia, teapots, books, paintings, from different geographical coordinates around the globe, an imaginary ticket for a trip around the world.
The big sturdy bar with its shelves full of all kinds of drinks always reminds me of a scene in a movie where the bartender just leaves "the usual" in front of the hero, and with a towel slung over his shoulder he leans forward and listens to stories of love dead-end romances. This bar is definitely the most atmospheric place to feel the sips of your Jack or Malt whiskey warm your inside.
When I'm in the mood for interesting tannins, I choose the wine bar in the back, and among selected wine labels and surreal tables, I relax on the couch enjoying my favorite Nemean rosé or trying a new variety that surprises my taste buds.
For the more private moments, I climb the grand wooden staircase leading to Rosso's low-ceilinged loft, where Jim Morrison is waiting for me this time on his own brick wall. Old suitcases have been transformed into canapés, a sewing machine now called upon to play the role of a table, a bicycle with a saddle in the colors of the English flag, dogs and elephants in paintings and cushions, make me stay here for hours.

Music that touches the feeling
And it's not only Rosso's atmosphere that keeps you close to it, but also its unique musical identity, an emotional throwback with selections from the 80s and 90s. Here, you can listen to favorite songs, which sometimes evoke youthful memories and first heartbeats and sometimes they lift your spirits so much, that you get up to dance to them on the spot, at the side of your table. Every day and night at Rosso has its own mood, but the philosophy is always the same: music touches your emotions, melodically embraces your enthusiasm, joy or sweet melancholy. 

Cocktails: Rosso's strongest card
Before I suggest which cocktails to drink here, I'll take you back to 2005, a milestone year, as it was then, that Rosso brought to the city of Nafplio the first cocktails, created a year earlier in Mykonos. This fact may prove the pioneering nature of the bar, but would mean nothing itself, if year after year Rosso didn't renew its cocktail list so creatively. 
Coming to today, he introduces us to the new generation of cocktails based on natural ingredients. Spyros tells me that the new trend is called "the natural in your glass" and describes the ultimate Greek cocktail you should try: the Argolida Spirits, with dry rosé wine, soda and fresh lime, pomegranate and pink grapefruit juice. Is it time for Argolis to become a fashion? Yes! Can cocktails speak Greek and spread the culture of this place through their mixtures? Definitely yes, and Rosso deserves a big thumbs up for that (also)!
What else are you gettin' to drink here? The variety is huge, but from the Signature Cocktails, I suggest you try Rosso Nights, Frozen Kiss and Sweet Like Tangerine, and from the Bubbles Aperitivo, choose the Mediterranean Spritz with limoncello, jasmine liqueur and Aegean tonic.
If you're a loyal drinker of classic cocktails, you can choose from the Daquiri, Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada, Mojito and Caipirinha, and if you don't drink alcohol, a Schweppes Mocktail Honeymoon with honey syrup, lemon juice and Top up Schweppes Ginger Ale will surprise you, while a Dark Night Song with Coca Cola, chocolate bitters and grapefruit peel will make you dream...

Coffee, Breakfast and Brunch of home
You will find a wide variety and high quality, not only in drinks and cocktails, but also in coffee, which will win you over with the intensity and aroma of its blend, which is Greek and specially selected, as is everything here. Enjoy every sip of your coffee, along with a hearty breakfast made with local products, such as honey with orange from the area of Kiveri, fresh eggs from Fichti village, delicious tomatoes, homemade jams and handmade spoon sweets.
Choose the "Greek breakfast" with natural juice, coffee, "kayana" eggs, yogurt with honey, mini Greek salad, while the "international breakfast" with fresh orange juice, ham and cheese toast, cake, croissants, butter, jam and honey is also a delicious choice.
And if you're up late and skipped breakfast, then jump straight into a hearty brunch! Be sure to try Rosso's famous savory crepes, such as a crepe with cheese, mushrooms, bacon, Roquefort cheese and cream, and its pizzas, such as a Greek with cheese, egg, feta, pepper, olives and origan or a Hawaiian, with cheese, ham and pineapple.
If you're vegan or minding your figure, I suggest a Rosso salad with wild arugula, spinach, iceberg, valerian, pomegranate vinaigrette and walnuts, while if you can't resist pasta, the linguini with Cretan apaki, thyme, red sauce and sour cream is simply irresistible.

The sweetest version of the menu
But because we are also the kind of people who, when we see the savory options, quickly skip them to get to the sweet ones, Rosso doesn't leave us at all disappointed. Here you will taste delicious waffles, in any combination you like, with ice cream, fruit, whipped cream, praline, praline, banana... you choose, but also crepes that will be unforgettable, such as with dark chocolate, whipped cream and Aegina pistachios or with sugar, Grand Marnier and orange or with vanilla ice cream, walnuts and cinnamon. The next time you come back to Rosso - because you're sure to come back - try a chocolate souffle with ice cream or a chocolate cake with brownies.
I know, your friends will ask you to stroll through the alleys of the old town, and you won't let them down, but in a magical way, you will circle around your favorite hangout and return to Rosso again. Here, where John Lennon winks at you, reminding you that "the time you enjoyed wasting, you didn't waste". It's worth drinking an Argolida Spirits to that, don't you agree?

Did you know?
Rosso has its own Van Bar with a professional bartender, "Cocktails & Dreams", which can be found in town on holidays and special nights or rented for parties, weddings or other social events.  
The 100% fresh lime, lemon, pomegranate and pink grapefruit juices used in Rosso's cocktails are produced by "ElFres" company in Argos and distributed to bars, liquor stores and restaurants in Nafplio and all over Greece.
If you prefer coffee in its special version, ask for a Café Rosso with espresso, caramel, whipped cream, cinnamon and Grand Marnier or an Irish with filter coffee, Irish whiskey and whipped cream.
Among 14 different choices in the chocolates, I picked out the White Chocolate with Mastic & rose blossom, with a traditional Greek flavor of natural mastic oil and rose blossom distillate, like a spoon sweet!
You can sit here and drink your beer with your friends, accompanying it with a variety of cold cuts or a selection of small or large burgers.
If you hear there's a live show or party going on at Rosso, just don't miss it!


In your choices...
Breakfast, Coffee, Drinks and Cocktails, Dessert, Ice cream, Waffles, Snacks, Burgers, Fruit salads, Wines, Wifi, Take away

Open
All year

Open hours
Everyday from 09:00 am. until 3:00 the next morning!