Laikon

Laikon sits in Kimolos village — the whitewashed Chora at the center of this small Cycladic island — and pulls a consistently high rating from the travelers who find it. With 80 Google reviews averaging 4.8, it has earned a clear reputation as the kind of place locals and visitors both return to, which on an island of barely 800 permanent residents says something concrete.

The premise is straightforward: local and Greek wines in a setting tied to the character of the village rather than pitched at passing tourist traffic. The name itself, laikon, translates roughly as "of the people" or "popular" in Greek — a word that implies belonging to everyday life rather than occasion. On Kimolos, where the pace is deliberate and the crowds are a fraction of what you'd find on neighboring Milos, that positioning makes sense.

Kimolos is one of the least visited islands in the Cyclades, and that's precisely what draws the travelers who do come. Laikon fits that profile: no spectacle, no performance, just good wine and the particular atmosphere of a Chora that hasn't been reshaped for tourism.

What to Expect

Laikon functions as a wine bar focused on Greek and local wines rather than a full-service restaurant. The Cyclades have a well-established wine tradition — particularly from nearby islands like Santorini and Paros — and a venue like this typically curates a selection that gives you access to those regional producers alongside whatever small-batch or local options Kimolos itself supports.

The setting is Kimolos Chora, a compact medieval village with narrow stone-paved lanes, cubic white houses, and the kind of interior squares that appear unexpectedly as you walk. Bars and cafes here tend to occupy ground-floor spaces in old village buildings, sometimes spilling into a lane or small plateia. The atmosphere is quiet by Cycladic standards even in August.

The opening hours split across two daily sessions: a lunchtime window running until 2:00 PM and an evening session from 8:00 PM through midnight, seven days a week. That structure suits the rhythm of the island — long afternoon breaks, late dinners, evenings that extend without urgency. The evening session is likely the more social of the two, particularly later in summer when the Chora comes alive after dark.

Given the rating and the island's size, Laikon draws a mix of the repeat visitors who come to Kimolos specifically for its quietness and the day-trippers arriving by ferry from Milos, just a short crossing away. On a small island with limited nightlife options, a well-regarded wine bar occupies a distinct and useful role.

How to Get There

Kimolos Chora is roughly two kilometers from the ferry port at Psathi. The address places Laikon within the village itself — look for it among the lanes of the main settlement. Most visitors walk between the port and the Chora, a flat-to-gently-rising route that takes around 20–25 minutes on foot. There are also taxis and a small bus service that connects the port to the village, though schedules are limited and often tied to ferry arrivals.

If you're staying in the Chora, Laikon will be within easy walking distance. The village is compact enough that asking a local or following Google Maps to the coordinates (36.7916, 24.5746) will get you to the right lane quickly. There is no dedicated parking structure in the Chora, but cars can be left near the village entrance before the pedestrian-only lanes begin.

Day visitors arriving from Milos should check the return ferry times carefully. Ferries between Psathi and Pollonia on Milos run frequently in summer, but evening crossings have a cutoff. If you're planning to stay for the evening session at Laikon, verify the last boat before committing.

Best Time to Visit

Kimolos has a concentrated tourist season running from late June through early September. During this window, Laikon will be operating at its fullest and the Chora will have enough foot traffic to give the evenings genuine energy. Outside of peak season, the island quietens dramatically — some venues close entirely from October through May, so it's worth confirming current hours if you're traveling in shoulder season.

For the wine bar itself, the evening session — 8:00 PM onward — is the natural choice for most visitors. The heat of a Cycladic summer day has broken by then, the light is better, and the Chora's lanes are at their most pleasant for walking before and after. The lunchtime session suits those wanting a quieter visit or a glass of wine to accompany a light meal before the afternoon rest.

Kimolos sits in the Meltemi wind corridor that runs through the central Cyclades in July and August. Wind can be strong on exposed parts of the island, but the Chora itself is sheltered by the village layout and its position slightly inland. Evenings in the village tend to be comfortable even at the height of summer.

Tips for Visiting

• Check current hours before you go. The listed hours show both a midday and evening session daily, but on a small island like Kimolos, actual hours can shift with the season or the owner's schedule. Arrive within the listed window to be safe.
• The evening session starts at 8:00 PM. Don't show up at 7:00 expecting to be served — the gap between the afternoon close at 2:00 PM and the evening open reflects the Greek island rhythm of a long afternoon break.
• Day visitors from Milos: plan your return. The ferry crossing to Psathi from Pollonia is short, but missing the last evening boat means staying on Kimolos overnight. That might not be a hardship, but know your options before you stay for a late glass.
• Kimolos Chora is best explored on foot. Leave the car or scooter at the village edge and walk in. The lanes are narrow and the experience of the Chora is in the details at walking pace.
• Greek wine has real regional depth here. If you're unfamiliar with Cycladic producers — Assyrtiko from Santorini, Monemvasia-Malvasia, wines from Paros — ask about what's being poured. A good wine bar in this region is an efficient way to taste across the archipelago in one sitting.
• Kimolos is genuinely quiet. If you're coming from Mykonos or Santorini expecting nightlife infrastructure, recalibrate. Laikon's appeal is in being a good bar in a tranquil place, not a scene.
• Bring cash as backup. Small island venues sometimes have card reader issues, particularly outside peak season. It's worth having euros on hand.
• The Chora rewards wandering before your drink. Arrive 20–30 minutes early and walk the lanes toward the medieval kastro at the center. Context makes the evening better.

Practical Information

Laikon's only confirmed social presence is on Instagram at the handle linked in the research data. There is no phone number or email address in the available information, so advance contact or reservations — if needed — would need to go through their Instagram. For a wine bar of this type on a small island, walk-ins are the norm.

The address is listed within the village (χωριό = village/Chora) on Kimolos 840 04. The Google Maps coordinates (36.7916, 24.5746) will take you to the right area. Once in the Chora, follow signage or ask locally — on an island this size, most people will know the place.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 80 reviews as of the time of research.