Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern in Sarti, Greece – More Than Just Another Bar
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Emmanuel’s beer house tavern is more than just your average bar. The place feels different the moment you walk in. Every corner has something interesting to look at, from vintage beer signs to handmade details. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer, just to take it all in. Their dishes are made with love, featuring fresh seafood caught just steps away and steaks grilled to perfection. It’s the kind of food that pairs perfectly with a cold beer and good company.
If you’re trying to picture the place, think rock bar vibes, handmade wooden sculptures the owner Sakis crafted himself, and a laid-back vibe you’ll want to hang around in for hours. Just scroll through some Emmanuel’s beer house tavern photos and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
And if you’re wondering whether all those glowing Emmanuel’s beer house tavern reviews are true? Most definitely. People keep coming back for a reason — actually, for lots of reasons. The beer, the food, the atmosphere, and above all, the people.
I was lucky enough to sit down with Sakis, the owner of this amazing beer house, for a little chat. He opened up about the history of the place, what it means to him and his family, and how they’ve kept the spirit of Emmanuel’s alive for nearly five decades. Keep reading to hear the full story!
Let me introduce you to Sakis, the heart and soul of Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern in Sarti, Greece. He’s the kind of guy who always has a warm smile and a friendly greeting for everyone who walks through the door. When he’s not busy serving up delicious food and drinks, you can often find him indulging in his passion for woodworking. During the winter months when Sarti is quiet, Sakis spends his time carving beautiful wooden sculptures which you can see proudly displayed throughout his beer house. These pieces not only showcase Sakis’s talent but also give Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern a unique feel. You’ll often spot him cruising around town on his bike, enjoying the freedom of the open road.
The Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern
When you walk into Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern in Sarti you immediately notice it is not your usual bar. The space is full of character and unique touches that make it feel special. Handmade wooden sculptures made by the owner himself catch your eye from the moment you step inside. There is a tree covered in colorful beer bottles that adds a fun vibe to the place. On the walls you will see vintage beer signs and memorabilia that tell stories from the past giving the bar a cool and timeless feel.
One corner has a classic motorcycle with horns that adds personality and shows the owner’s love for bikes. It is the kind of thing you will not find just anywhere. For those who like some friendly competition there is a pool table and a picado area where people gather to play and enjoy themselves.
Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern has a vibe that makes you want to stay and enjoy. It is clear that every corner was thought through and has its own story. Whether you are waiting for your food having a drink or just looking around there is always something interesting to catch your eye. It is the kind of place that invites you to stay a little longer and enjoy the atmosphere.
Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern Food
Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern is all about serving good food that feels like home. Their menu has plenty of options to choose from. Want a slice of homemade pizza straight from the oven? Or maybe a juicy chicken souvlaki grilled just right? They have those and more. You’ll find pastas, burgers, steaks, seafood, and schnitzels too.
Since it’s a family-run place, every dish is made with care and tastes real. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite with friends or sitting down for a meal with family, Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern is a great place to relax and enjoy some tasty food.
Plus the portions are just right, not too big or small, and the prices are fair. It’s the kind of place where you can try something new or stick with what you like. Either way, you’re in for a good meal.
Can you tell me about the history of Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern and how it has evolved over the years?
My parents met in Germany as workers, although they are both Greek. And when I was about six years old, they moved back home. It was during the start of tourism in the late 1970s. This place originally belonged to my grandfather. They tore down the old house and built this one. My father took the restaurant part, and my aunt took four rooms.
It began as a candy shop but soon switched to a restaurant. The 1980s were great. Lots of Europeans, especially Germans, came with D-marks and prices were low, so business boomed. In that time, we didn’t count bottles, we counted cartons. It’s not a joke. People would jump into the sea, come drink beers, play cards, and eat. It was a great decade, the 80s.
The 90s were tougher due to the Yugoslav war affecting northern Greece. Because of my mother’s health problems, we changed from a restaurant to a café. Income was low, so later we converted it into a pizzeria.
And in the last two years, I converted Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern to be a beer house.
Did you grow up here and when did you start working in Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern?
Yes, I grew up here almost my whole life. I started working here very young because my parents did not have a babysitter. I remember doing small tasks like bringing water to customers. Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern has always been a part of my life.
Can you tell me more about the name behind Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern?
Yes, it was named after my father, Emmanuel. Both my father and my son are named Emmanuel. So, I’m the son of Emmanuel and I’m also the father of Emmanuel. My real name is Theodosios, but my friend called me Sakis.
How has Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern changed recently and what kind of food and drinks do you offer now? Can you tell me about your beer selection and what are your recommendations?
About two years ago we added features like a pool and picado to create a beer-style bar atmosphere. We also kept the traditional cuisine from my grandmother but added a twist, painting the bar in traditional Greek blue and white colors and focusing on Greek craft beers.
I work with one main supplier who imports directly from the brewery and has over five hundred beers. I offer about fifty different kinds here to give people variety. Every year we update the menu to keep things fresh, especially in summer. We also offer many Czech beers which are popular.
We do not serve common brands like Heineken or Amstel because they are everywhere and easy to find. I try to have beers for all budgets. For example, Magnus is a premium but affordable beer priced around 4.5 euros for half a liter. There are also more expensive options like La Trappe or La Goudale which come in bottles that look like champagne. So whether people want something casual or for a special celebration, there is something for everyone.
One of my favorite beers is the American Sierra Nevada IPA, and I also really like Weiss beer which is a traditional unfiltered beer made by monks and considered one of the best worldwide. We have a smoked black beer too. It tastes like bacon and eggs and is perfect for barbecue. Marinating meat overnight in it gives the best flavor.
Also, there is Kwak. Kwak is known as the fisherman’s beer. It comes in a special wooden holder glass. The glass itself costs about 30 euros in Greece, so customers often take them home as souvenirs, which makes stock limited here.
Was it difficult at the beginning to introduce some of the beers you have here since most people already know common brands?
Yes, it was a bit difficult at first because many people only know the usual beers like Mythos. I told them that Mythos is actually owned by a Danish company and not Greek. I used to drink Mythos thinking it was Greek too, but now they belong to Denmark.
Can you tell me about the food you offer?
I wanted to keep the food menu minimal and focus more on drinks, but I realized beer bars usually serve steaks. Since we are close to the sea, we also have seafood like calamari, dorada, fish, and spaghetti. Our food menu fits all budgets, and we offer meat starting at 9 euros and going up to T-bone steak for 40 euros.
We cook the same food for family and customers. There is no difference, which is a tradition from my father.
This bar is not high class. The furniture and everything else is simple because I want everyone to feel welcome regardless of their budget.
Who works at Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern and do you have employees outside your family?
It is mostly family. Me, my son, and my brother. I cook and organize. A friend is the main chef. Another one handles the grill, and two ladies do salads and cleaning. In summer, we add two waiters.
I can see you love motorcycles and rock music, just like I do. Can you tell me more about the logo of your bar? It reminds me of Rolling Stones.
Yes, I love Harley Davidson. Do you know what is my problem? With my wife, I made it. I was in love with somebody and I got married. With a bike, I didn’t make it. I’m in love with Harley Davidson, but I married a BMW. We joke about that all the time here. Regarding the logo of Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern, a friend designed the logo years ago inspired by the Rolling Stones’ tongue logo.
I can see a lot of beautiful handmade wooden sculptures in this bar. Did you make those?
Yes, I did. During the wintertime when it is slow and there is not much to do, I spend time carving and making wooden sculptures like birds and sharks. It helps me keep busy and sane during the quiet months. It is something I really enjoy doing.
What do you like most and least about running Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern?
The best part is working with family. I love working with my son and brother. It can be stressful sometimes, but it is rewarding. The hardest part is the long hours. When you own a place, you don’t work for only eight hours. You work all day. What is eight hours? For example, in May we start, and until October I don’t have a day off. I wake up at eight o’clock. I drink coffee with my wife, and I come here to work from two o’clock till five. After that, we have three hours break time, and after that I am here until the bar closes. And that is every day.
We are also open 365 days a year. When tourists leave in late fall, we close the outside area and operate only inside. There are about one thousand locals and winter is slower, but we are still open.
How do you manage to stay in business for almost 50 years?
I stay in business by focusing on what I know best. The economy is tough but this bar has a unique vibe and a loyal customer base so it works. I believe in making people feel like friends and not just customers. For example, I often tell them to help themselves to water from the fridge. I treat people how I want to be treated and that creates a comfortable vibe where everyone feels relaxed.
I can see that you have a beautiful koi pond here, but I can’t see any koi fish inside. Is there a story behind it? Did the cats eat them?
We used to have koi fish about five years ago including one that was nearly seven hundred grams, which was pretty big. Sadly, someone stole three of them one night by draining the water and netting them out. I am sure it was people and not cats because they put a pipe in to drain the water. It was really sad because we had those koi for fifteen years. Now we only have goldfish inside.
What do you think makes your bar different from other places here? What is unique about it?
I think it is the atmosphere and the way people behave here. I do not want rich customers with bad attitudes ruining the vibe. I want everyone to feel comfortable, relaxed, and to leave their problems outside. We like to live in slow motion here. No craziness, just a chill place where people can feel good and be themselves.
Since you grew up here, what local spots or hidden gems would you recommend in this area besides your beer house?
There is a small monastery called Metohi that hardly anyone visits. It is very historic because my grandfather’s family came here from Turkey in 1922. The whole village had about three hundred people. It is a great place with old houses and a museum-like school building. Also, the original name of Sarti was Amfisya, named after a small island in Turkey. The name was changed later but it has an interesting history.
Final Thoughts on Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern in Sarti, Greece
Your visit to this part of Greece would not be complete without stopping by Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern. It is more than just a place to grab a drink or a bite. It is a spot full of character friendly faces and stories that make Sarti feel extra special. Whether you are checking out the Emmanuel’s beer house tavern photos online or hearing about it from locals it is clear this place has something unique going on. Visitors often share how much they love the atmosphere and the carefully crafted menu as you will see in many Emmanuel’s beer house tavern reviews from travelers just like you.
If you are planning a trip or already in town do not miss the chance to experience the warm vibe and delicious craft beers for yourself. It is the kind of spot where new friends are made and memories are born. Make sure Emmanuel’s Beer House Tavern is on your list, and you will not regret it.
Hi, I’m Vladana! I’m always on the lookout for unique travel experiences and destinations that are a little different from the usual. I love sharing my adventures on my blog with people who are looking for something they won’t find in typical travel guides. I also have a thing for unique boutique and luxury hotels that are an experience in themselves, not just a place to sleep.
