Mykonos Confidential

Beauty is everyone’s fervent wish. Despoina Gavala knows its secrets well, but fortunately she does not keep them to herself. On the contrary…

Were you born here or were you naturalized a Mykonian?

Objectively, I believe that I was naturalized a Mykonian. I experienced a rebirth here on the island.

What personality, past or present, has left his or her mark on Mykonos and why?

Αre the hosts of our big party which begins and ends at balomatoo.

The supervisor of the Kapopoulos Fine Arts gallery, offers her own surrealist view of Mykonos.

The Chora’s largest night club - in the broadest sense of the word – which follows big city standards. Go-go boys and girls, guests DJs from Greece and abroad and parties which attract the largest percentage of the island’s foreign tourists. One could say that this is the temple of music for Italian and Australian visitors who in August line-up for hours to get in. It is worth noting the team of Space Dance’s DJs, The Mykonos Experience, spend the winter touring abroad.

Thirteen at 13, Andronikou Matogianni str., has come to fill, in the best possible way, the gap left behind by the old Agyra. Its new owners have pulled down almost the entire interior and rebuilt the space in order to offer a new aesthetic which matches Mykonos’ contemporary night-life scene better. More foreign mainstream and less Greek music than before.

The bar at the Mykonos View Hotel has become exactly what its name suggests (Dream) for those who want their night to look like an ideal stage set. Mykonian artist Zannis Koukas has offered his style, the bar its sensual music and the rest is down to its unique view.

Scarpa is famous for two things: 1) it serves incredible cocktails with amazing combinations of fruit and drinks, while the mixologist serves them impressively in the glasses. 2) Its super uplifting house mixes which keep the crowd in a very high mood until the arrival of the first sunrays. For whichever of these two reasons you select it, you’ll definitely love it. From early in the evening for the sunset view from the tables outside, to the following day on the decks inside.

If you are in the third decade of your life, you are in your element here: join the bold and the beautiful tanned youngsters for all-day seaside debauchery. We are talking about the most wonderful routine: partying, cocktails, acquaintances under the sun and taking a break from dancing by diving into the cool water of the pool or the sea. The party begins early and ends after sundown. All you need is a bathing suit and your sunglasses.

Near Paraportiani and next to the old La Notte, Jackie O’ has been recording its own success story on Mykonos for three seasons now. The gay community pays homage from early in the afternoon; with a breathtaking sunset and arias blasting over the speakers no one can resist at least passing through the hot talk of the town. The entire setting is intensely 60s, with its renowned performances and impressive drag queens really stealing the show. The disco party continues until the sun has well and truly risen the following day.