Bouzoukia on New Year's was great for a couple of reasons. It really was a truly unique experience for someone like me - true immersion in another culture as well as being really entertaining and fun. It's a big hall like a banquet hall filled with tables wall to wall, with a big stage at the front of the room. We had a shite little table by a pillar which was kind of a drag, but the view was ok. Bouzoukia itself gets its name from the instrument that is used, the bouzouki. Efi, I apologize for any spelling errors in Greek right now. Anyhow, Efi, her sister Pepi, Pepi's friend and myself all sat at this tiny table and ordered the mandatory bottle of liquor. We got Chivas Regal for 150 euros - and that pays your ticket for the night.

Multiple singers came on stage and performed as the room slowly filled up and became very crowded. It was very chill at first as people drank their whiskey and watched the elaborate acts on stage. The singers performed mostly Greek songs with some occasional pop songs in english. There were many costume changes and dancing girls adding to the spectacle on stage. It was great, truly a show! I didn't mention that the show BEGINS at 1 in the morning and wraps up somewhere around seven, though we left at five. So the crowd sort of builds into a crescendo of excitement fueled by music and alcohol. The kind of songs change too as they start playing standards that everyone sings along to (Greek standards, of course).

The women and men start to gather in front of the stage or stand on their chairs and tables to dance. Some of the women (including Efi and her sister) do like belly dances which are HOTTT. I sat down and watched, not feeling comfortable dancing. I was too much of a stranger and felt like I would be too much of an imposter if I danced. I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only American in the whole hall. The dancing is sort of slow and like middle-east looking, at least to me. The music also has that kind of flavor. Anyway, it was a great spectacle, a great night, and a wonderful thing to see. I recommend it to all. It's sort of tacky with the costume changes, but great and fun at the same time. BOUZOUKIA!