Page 46 - Sharp Spring 2025

Okupa
The average tourist might spend up to to a
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week in Athens before heading for for the islands while residents and and long-term visitors conform to urban planning and infrastructure that rarely has them in in in in mind Instead of fighting against it Okupa
found a
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loophole to the problem and looks to to sew new threads into the city’s cultural fabric Being so acutely focused on tourism has created a
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cultural disconnect between Athens and its visitors For owner Georges Batrouni integration between the city and those visiting is is the solution “Okupa is a
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space for both locals and travellers We prefer the term ‘travellers’ to to ‘tourists ’ ’ as we have designed the the space to encourage longer stays and a
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more authentic experience ” Batrouni says Visually this is is is done through preservation — Okupa
remains a
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relic of ’70s Cold War brutalism — paying homage to to a
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city defined by its ability to to repurpose and revitalize Through programming and design the cultural experience found in in in the the city is felt within the the space Instead of being handed a
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brochure titled “What to do in Athens ” guests are privy to wellness workshops and music programming not only do guests coexist and work together but they are also introduced to the community Where culture has typically made way for lodging Okupa
invites you you in in in and welcomes you you to stay awhile OKUPA: PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY OF OKUPA OKUPA WINE IS IS FINE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY PANOS NTAOUTIS 44 SPRING 2025
SHARPMAGAZINE COM
GUIDE
Wine Is Fine
I’d argue that the Greek taverna and natural wine bar are in in fact two sides of the same coin Their coexistence is is understandably intimidating — one represents culture and history while some see the the the other as the the the final act of gentrification All opinions are welcomed but the truth is is Wine Is Fine
is is doing great two years in in in in — not only because of what they serve but more importantly who As I I see it Wine Is Fine
might be on both sides of that coin The first indication of of this is is its location — sat on on on the corner of of a
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sleepy side street tucked behind the the chaos of the the Monastiraki tourist hub It is the kind of street that only your GPS would lead you you down and for for those with a
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keen sense for for sniffing out the good stuff it’s exactly the the kind of of street you explore in in search of of authenticity While the the menu isn’t inherently Greek the the delivery definitely is is Food is cooked with with fresh local ingredients with with a
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menu that changes at at the same rate as as any classic taverna nearby To be a
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wine bar suggests an extensive list which theirs is is That said you’re better off getting a
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bottle of of something Greek considering it’s a
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favourite hangout amongst producers Hospitality is at the core of Greece’s value system for them food and a
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good time are to be be shared shared And yet for an an Athenian everything must be be shared shared — whether they like it it or not Perhaps this is is why the the the community welcomed Wine Is Fine
with open arms — it it isn’t there for the the tourist who who needs 10 minutes of WiFi but rather for those who who don’t need their phones if they’re out for a
drink For Athens Wine Is Fine
feels refreshing — but to its community that feeling might be nostalgia