There’s an area in Lisbon where once the streets were packed with drug dealers, prostitutes and other creatures of the night. One day, Lisbon’s Mayor moved here, and everything changed for the better. Policemen started patrolling the streets! Wow! I’m glad I pay my taxes. The area was renewed, and soon a creative spontaneous movement started in the decrepit quarter: small bars and cosy restaurants popped up and people started occupying old houses that were falling apart in the Intendente area.

This is a artistic project by Ironia Tropical, an original idea by three girls: Patrícia, Inês and Joana. They organized concerts but needed a place to settle, a starting point. They established themselves in an old palace near Martim Moniz and things started to get into shape. Old furniture, vintage decoration and a great cultural agenda with different kinds of music, good food and a relaxing terrace perfect to read a book. They wanted to bring back the “Grémios”: cultural cooperatives places where people gathered to chat, dance and drink back in the old days. There was a “Grémio” here before, but that was closed in 1938 by the dictatorship.

When you step inside, it looks like you’re in some old movie scenario, everything has come back to life. The old rooms beautifully decorated, outside, the terrace is excellent for a cold beer or a hot chocolate. This is a place where you can find everything and easily spend the whole afternoon, and maybe stay for dinner and live music!