High Hopes Taproom

High Hopes Taproom is a craft beer taproom at Chandakos 58 in Heraklion's Old Town, Crete, Greece. The Chandakos area, named for the street that runs through the old Venetian-era quarter, has become one of the more alternative parts of the centre, with small bars and music venues tucked among older buildings. The taproom fits that profile, offering a focused craft beer selection rather than the mass-market lagers served on the main squares.

The crowd skews toward beer enthusiasts, local twenty- and thirty-somethings, students and visitors looking for something different from the harbourfront cafés. Dress is casual, with jeans and trainers entirely normal, and the mood is relaxed and chatty, more a place to spend an hour or two over a few pours than to dance. Music is incidental background rather than a programme.

The drinks programme is built around craft beer, with prices of roughly EUR 4-7 (USD 4.60-8) depending on the style and pour size, which is inexpensive for craft beer by European standards. Visitors who are new to craft styles can ask the staff for a recommendation based on whether they prefer hoppy, malty or lighter wheat-style beers. Food options are not confirmed, so visitors planning to eat should arrange dinner nearby.

Opening hours are listed as Monday to Friday 6:00PM to 1:00AM, Saturday 12:00PM to 1:00AM, and closed on Sunday. This means the taproom is an evening venue on weekdays but opens at midday on Saturday, which suits an afternoon drink during a day of sightseeing. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. No cover charge is normally applied, reservations are generally unnecessary for small groups, and bottle service is not a feature. The venue can be reached on +30 697 755 6000.

The Chandakos location is a short walk from Lions Square and the Archaeological Museum, so the taproom pairs naturally with a day of sightseeing in the Old Town followed by an early evening drink. Because it closes on Sundays, visitors should plan around that when choosing a night.