Not Just Rock
I recently did a catch-up with Marios at Koursaros Music Bar in Pernera. Seriously if you’re on the East Coast, and you’re looking for live music, by quality bands, duets, and solo acoustic artists, from Cyprus, Greece and occasional international bands too, that’ll make your night ‘one to remember’, then look no further …
Jam Sessions
To be honest, over the past 14 years, Koursaros Music Bar has gained a reputation as the place to go for live, mostly Greek music, in the Protaras area and was proud to be the venue selected to host the Jam Session at Cyprus Rocks 2019 and now, they’re not just a rock bar open in the winter, but they’re a live music bar, open all year !!!
On the Corner
I asked 37 year old owner ‘Marios’ a local lad from Paralimni, who is so passionate about his bar, to tell me more … he said, “I got the idea while studying in Thessaloniki in Greece. I used to go to a small friendly bar and loved the idea, it was my type of bar, so I told the owner Jeff I was going to copy his idea. So at age 23, when I finished my studies, I rented just one shop here, built it by hand, and over the past 15 years we’ve expanded it 4 times the size it was” … I must say; ‘the attention to detail is commendable, to say the least’ … Naturally, I had to ask why the name? he said; “I named it ‘Koursaros’ after the track by legendary singer Vasilis Papacostantinou from Greece”.
The Ambience
Outside it’s all brick and dark wood, cool lighting, a gorgeous covered terrace, and a bit uncovered, where you can sit under the stars and watch the world go by … I love the tall beer barrel tables and stools! Inside, it’s all wood, comfy seating, chandeliers, a cool stage, wicked lighting, music posters, and rock memorabilia all over the place creating a really cozy atmosphere … oh, and a well cool ambience that’s made by lots of like-minded, live music, rock, blues and occasionally jazz freaks, of all ages and nationalities.
On the Stage
On Friday at Saturday nights all year and in the summer, most nights a week, and on selected bank holidays, and over Christmas, you’ll find live acoustic singers out on the veranda, live local, Greek and international rock and blues bands and in the winter it moves inside with live bands just Friday & Saturday night. Cyprus’ Cashiers, Muddy Street Blue, and a bit of Prospectus have all played here, to mention but a few … check out their Facebook Videos and whenever there’s no live music, the DJ mixes an awesome selection of tunes through the ages.
Cyprus Rocks Again
The dedication of this crew and tbh, the intimacy of this music bar were the main influences for it to be chosen by Marios of The Cyprus Rocks Festival as the place to host the Jam Session in 2019 on the penultimate day of the annual classic rock festival in October each year. This jam was something else, as musicians from a mix-up of the bands spontaneously call out names and they get up on stage and jam together, it’s a ‘VIP only’ party so best ask Marios to get your tickets early!
After Parties
This year; the night before and on the last night of the Festival, ie; the 2nd and 8th of October, Marios will host a VIP night for the early arrivals and the late leavers and as always it’ll be one of the favoured bars for the after-parties on the weekend, that will inevitably happen coz our bars don’t close til late 😉
Behind the Bar
Marios told me; “Koursaros is very popular with the locals, who love their live music, so expect to find only premium imported spirits sold by the shot or quarter, half, or full bottle” … All beers are served in bottles including Carlsberg, Keo, Guinness, Koppenberg, and speciality beers from around the world, including one of my favourites, the Weissbier from Belgium.
Mixing it Up
Marios continued; “If you ask nicely, and when we’re not too busy, our cool bar staff will mix you our signature cocktail ‘Koursaros Journey’. It’s a blend of vodka, elderflower, lemon juice, pink grapefruit and blueberries and be warned it kicks like a mule!” … oh, and why not check out their reviews on Trip Advisor
Finally
You know what they say? …
When in Cyprus, do it the Cypriot Way!
Open All Year
Friday & Saturday Nights
9 pm ’til late
Note
From 5th ’til 25th August &
22nd December ’til 6th January
They open more nights!
Directions
You’ll find Koursaros Music Bar at 98, Pernera, it’s on the corner by the new roundabout to Pernera on the main road from Protaras to Pernera, sort of opposite the Polycarpou Hotel … See Google Map Below …
GPS: 35.026720, 34.039489
The Intimate Side of Rock!
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