India, Aug. 18 -- The Greeks have been partying for centuries. In ancient Athens, a good night out meant a symposium - an after-dinner gathering centred around a heady mix of wine, music, and debate that, in many ways, served as antiquity's answer to the modern Greek night out. Fast forward a couple of millennia, and the format has changed - nightlife in Greece today has swapped the amphorae for cocktails, the lyres for DJ consoles and the aulos for a banging sound system, but the spirit has stayed the same - when the sun goes down, Greece comes out to play.

Also, check out our selection of Europe's top party destinations, from ancient raves to modern clubs.

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