Greek Culture
Bouzouki / Bouzoukia
The long-neck Greek lute, and by extension the late-night live-music clubs where it is the headline instrument.
The bouzouki (μπουζούκι) is the long-neck, eight-string fretted lute that became the defining sound of Greek popular music after the rebetiko era. By extension, bouzoukia (plural) are the late-night live-music clubs where it is the main instrument — usually starting after midnight, expensive table reservations, and the tradition of throwing fresh-cut flowers (no longer plates, by law) onto the stage when a singer hits a high note.
Drivers heading home from Athens bouzoukia are often pre-booked by clients who would rather not drive after a long evening; this is a regular Luxi late-night use case.