Bars & cafes – All our local tips

Our favorite Lisbon local bars, cafes and pubs with and without wireless internet. This is where Lisbon locals lounge and go out for a beer, wine, cocktails and other drinks… Lisbon insider tips: always up-to-date!

38º41' Lisbon (by Claudio Carneiro)

This is a very fancy bar and, incredibly, most of the times that I have been there it was very easy for me and my friends to find a comfortable sofa to sit, and most of all, to feel good. I am not a fancy person, but I do love fancy places that make you feel fine.

The bar belongs to the Belem Altis Hotel & Spa, and as usual nowadays in Lisbon, the old fashioned and heavy furnished hotel bars are becoming history, and 38º41′ is a proof of it. It’s a very trendy space to relax, with good ambient music and a wonderful and huge view to the Tagus River, as well to the bridge “25 de Abril”.

38º41′ , the name of the bar, is the coordinate of its location. So one can always use your GPS to get there. if you don’t have one, like me, don’t worry. The bar is located between two of the most famous Lisbon landmarks: The Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoveries. Yes, I always keep my eyes on them from the bar, a perfect luxury!

They have very good cocktails, different types of good toasts, and also a book of choices to order, and I am not kidding, it’s really a book. I enjoy going there to watch the sunset having a margarita, or follow the boats sailing along the Tagus river, which goes well with wine. They have good natural juices and smoothies, since I am not always in the mood of drinking alcohol.

All in all, this is the perfect place, for me, to be with friends or with a book, and a lot of spare time, because, by the river, time really goes slow.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
38º41′ | Bars, Restaurants (Intern.) | Average € 15
Doca do Bom Sucesso | Riverside | +351210400200
Daily

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À Margem Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

The Tagus River is one of this city’s great draws and at this café/restaurant/bar it’s undoubtedly the focal point. Situated just across the train tracks from the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) and a stone’s throw from the water, it’s perfect for a drink, a nibble, a chat or a read.

The kitchen serves up casual meals including toasted sandwiches, carpaccio, a cheese platter and a choice of robust salads. Apart from coffees and teas aplenty, fresh-squeezed juices and shakes, there’s a lengthy list of wines, liquors and mixed drinks.

The architecture of the place deserves a round of applause (and indeed several adverts and photo shoots have been set here). It’s basically a glass “box” within an iron frame, sleek and streamlined in white-on-white, making the most of natural light and the view.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
À Margem | Bars, Relaxing, Restaurants (Intern.) | Salads from € 10
Doca do Bom Sucesso | Riverside | +351918225548
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

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Bairru's Bodega Lisbon (by Claudio Carneiro)

This is a nice and warm bodega in Bairro Alto, right in front of Maria Caxuxa’s bar. But different from this one, Bairru’s is more of a wine bar, a place where I go with my friends to sit, chat and have some wine or sangria.

Since I usually don’t drink that much, a couple of glasses is fine for me - it’s a good thing they sell wine by the glass. Of course, if we are more than three on the table, a bottle is much better. And of course they sell bottles too.

As companion to good wine and good friends, they play some very good Portuguese music. And the staff is chatty and friendly too, which makes the place even cozier.

After dining out in Bairro Alto, this is the place to go just after.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bairru’s Bodega | Bars | Glass of wine € 3.50
Rua da Barroca, nº 2 | Bairro Alto | +351213469060
17:00 – 02:00 daily

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Bar Procópio Lisbon (by Claudio Carneiro)

It’s been a long time that I wanted to write about one of my favorite Lisbon bars. Procopio is the perfect bar to go if all you want to have is a drink and chat with your friends. The mood of the bar is different, maybe for the lack of natural light, or it’s Art Nouveau decoration, the bossa nova music style playing on the background, the super gracious service and the tons of imagery information you collect while having a nice glass of Port Wine or a beer, all along with some hot popcorn. The customers age range is what most surprises me there. You can meet people from twenties to sixties, all having fun.

The bar is located very close to the Amoreira’s Garden (check the Amoreira’s Garden article), and it’s kind of hidden in a very charming and old alley. As you find the bar, you have to ring to be let in, but don’t worry, the bar door will be opened and you will be received in the best of ways!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bar Procópio | Bars | Glass of Port’s Wine € 3
Rua João Penha 21 A | Estrela | +351213852851
Mon – Fri 18:00 – 03:00, Sat 21:00 – 03:00

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Café no Chiado Lisbon (by erik lassche)

Chiado is definitely one of the most charming areas of Lisbon. The main street is has some nice historical cafés, but they tend to be very touristic. A great alternative is Café no Chiado.

The location is excellent: smack in the middle of Chiado, with tram-line 28 passing right in front of you! The place has been renovated in 2006. It nowadays has a very cool interior and a great terrace.

Come here to have a cup of coffee or lunch, read a book on the terrace or just to enjoy the setting. Try the salads, they are great!

At night it’s a great place to dine, especially after visiting one of the nearby theatres, since they serve dinner until 2AM.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café no Chiado | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Portuguese) | Great salad € 8.00
Largo do Picadeiro 10-12 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213460501
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 02:00

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I am a man of relatively simple tastes, give me good conversation, a cold beer and good music and I will be happy. Now Bairro Alto is chock full of excellent bars which undoubtedly offer the first two but I have always felt that with a few exceptions (usually venues for live music) people don’t really go there to listen to music but I like my indie music, I just can’t help myself.

Indie music and Bairro Alto is a very simple equation – Café Suave. Located at the beginnings of Bairro Alto, avoiding the need to circumvent the crowds, this place offers a decent area inside to grab a seat and possibly even move your body along to the music, if that is your kind of thing.

DJs to look out for there are Fernando and Sophia who play a great mixture of indie music, from new hits to the classics, and they also seem to be having the most fun there so there are no sulky DJs in Suave!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Suave | Bars, Music
R. Diário de Noticias 2 | Bairro Alto
22:00 – 02:00 daily

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Capela Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

So many bars in Bairro Alto, why go to Capela? Owner and resident-DJ Pedro is one of the main embassadors of Elektropop in Lisbon. Music never comes second place in Capela.

Maybe that is why, when everybody has left Bairro Alto for the clubs at around 03h00, Capela is just getting fuller and fuller! Late dinner at Império dos Sentidos or Pap’Açorda (both are located next door) and then off to Capela. My ideal Friday night!

NEWSFLASH: Lisbon’s evil mayor has decided to move closing hours from 04h00 to 02h00! In the weekends (Sat & Fri) closing hour is at 3h00. I am still getting used to it and so is Capela’s owner, Pedro. Although he already started serving tapas early in the evening in order to attract more people and the beer got cheaper!!

Well, we will probably have to start our pilgrimage a bit earlier :-)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Capela | Bars, Music | Bacardi Limon € 4.00
Rua da Atalaia 45 | Bairro Alto | +351213470072
20:00 – 02:00 daily

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Chafariz da Mãe de Água Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

This surprising enoteca is located in one of the former buildings of the ancient Lisbon watersupply-system. The huge aquaduct with the enormous arches that you see when you drive into Lisbon from the direction of Cascais is also part of the same system.

In Chafariz da Mãe de Água the water is literally passing by your table. A great location. Here you can enjoy a glass of wine from their huge wine collection. Or stay a bit longer and try a bottle! They serve dinner as well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Chafariz da Mãe de Água | Bars, Restaurants (Portuguese) | Bottle of wine from € 17.00
Rua da Mãe d’Água | Príncipe Real | +351213422079
Tue – Sun 18:00 – 02:00, kitchen closed 01:00

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Crew Hassan Lisbon (by )

Unlike really any other space in Lisbon Crew Hassan exudes a sense of laid back familiarity along with a gung-ho ‘do-it-yourself’ spirit.

Crew Hassan comprises two enterprises: on the ground floor, open to the street is the shop where you can buy ‘alternative’ handmade crafts, such as bags and badges, as well as secondhand records or else you can have a coffee and cake and have your hair done.

If you venture outside the shop and follow the covered walkway down the back to the stairs, and then climb those stairs, you will find a hidden gem of Lisbon. At night the bar and venue upstairs comes alive with DJs, live music and art spread out through the tiny rooms. You will find the most laid back of Lisbon youth sprawled across the mismatched and broken furniture and you will have a unique Lisbon experience.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Crew Hassan | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 159 | Liberdade
until 02:00 daily

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Espaço Tintin Lisbon (by Claudio Carneiro)

This is the place I have always hoped it would open in Lisbon, and it did last year, by the end of November. The only Tintin store I have visited till now has always been in Brussels, and although the Lisbon store is not as big as the Brussels one, you can find in here almost everything the trademark Tintin sells, such as postales, pins, agendas, notebooks and PVC figures. They also sell clothing for all seasons, books, watches and miniatures of the famous car from Hergé stories… There is even a room filled with Tintin’s book covers, which belong to the owner and Tintin fan, Paulo Ferreira de Almeida.

At the same place, you have a very nice and cozy Cafe-Lounge with also recalls Hergé Character’s heroism, as it has some very nice original lithographs of Tintin books as wall decoration. What attracted me most, besides being a cafe with Tintin’s allusion, is the way the tables are organized, making each space of the cafe very different and private. The menu holds no surprises, except for the Belgian beers, of course. I suggest their muffin – unbelievably good!

The only problem the cafe still faces is a lack of organization. Sometimes the delay in the service is just unacceptable, but I like the place so much that I really never cared about that.

They also serve lunch, as a “meal of the day” basis and salads and are opened till really late, and best of all, on Mondays.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Espaço Tintin | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
Av. de Roma, 39 A | Avenidas | +351217935582
Mon – Thu 08:30 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 08:30 – 01:00, Mon 14:00 – 19:00

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Esplanada do Principe Real Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

A nice terrace in one of Lisbon’s nicest parks. It’s a great place to have breakfast or just a coffee.

The place has changed owner several times in the past, with mixed results. But it seems that this time they’ve got it right. Each Saturday morning you can visit the Principe Real Organic Market, right next to the terrace.

They are currently renovating the whole Jardim do Principe Real. So best keep away for some week/months/years (depending on Portuguese efficiency).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Esplanada do Principe Real | Bars, Coffee & tea | Meia de Leite € 1.40
Jardim do Príncipe Real | Príncipe Real | +351962524513
08:30 – 13:00 daily

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Fábrica Braço de Prata Lisbon (by erik lassche)

4 exposition rooms, 2 bookstores, 3 shops, a bar, a restaurant, a terrace…. all this is Fábrica Braço de Prata. And I think I still forgot half of it.

This cultural venue is located on the former location of an armaments factory. Swords to ploughs one may say! It’s a bit out of the way (located near the docks, between Santa Apolónia and Expo) and not that known actually.

It’s a very accessible and fun way to sniff some culture. The crowd is young and dynamic. Due to the variety of rooms and bars, there is always something interesting going on. From time to time (in the warm months) there’s a tent outside for concerts.

Listen to a Bossa Nova concerts, see an exposition or just have a drink. Check out the agenda online!

A huge construction project is planned on the current site, so the “factory” will not be standing here much longer. One more reason to visit it now.

During the month of December their will some special fairs, displaying artesanals, design, art and lots more! Check it out: Friday the 12th and 19th from 20:00 until 02:00.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fábrica Braço de Prata | Art & culture, Bars, Music | everything € 5.00
Rua da Fábrica de Material de Guerra | Riverside | +351967435743
Ticket office: Wed – Sat 20:00 – 02:00, Sun 16:00 – 22:00

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Fábulas Cafe Lisbon (by Adam Standring)

After a hard day’s shopping in Chiado or after coming down from Bairro Alto there is now the most perfect place to relax, have a drink and a bite to eat.

Fábulos Café is tucked away from the main streets, approachable either from the direction of Chiado, through an excellent esplanade tucked away from the hustle and bustle, or else from the direction of the School of Fine Arts.

The menu is simple but inventive, comprising delicious sandwiches, salads and wraps but there are also more substantial burritos, crepes and omelets for those more hungry.

The food is delicious, my favourite being the goats cheese, caper and spinach sandwich, and the atmosphere relaxed and cosy, especially if you manage to bag one of the many old sofas spread throughout the place.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fábulas Cafe | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Sandwiches) | From € 5.00
Calçada Nova de São Francisco, 14 | Chiado & Baixa
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 00:00, Thur – Sat 10:00 – 01:00, closed Sun

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Galeto is something of a Lisbon institution. If you mention the restaurant to anyone over 40 they will recount to you tales of late nights out which were finished off with a quick steak in Galeto early in the morning.

Offering a menu full of the most typical of Portuguese dishes (here grilled meats and fish feature heavily), you are served from behind the intricate twisting balcony which extends throughout the inside of the restaurant, seemingly trapping several waiters to a lifetime of service.

Sitting at the bar to eat, likely flanked by swarthy mustachioed businessmen is a Portuguese right of passage that every visitor should enjoy at least once and there are few places in Lisbon with the quality of Galeto in which to experience it.

One of the great draws of Galeto is that it is open until 03:30 meaning that it’s the perfect place to stop by after the theatre/a concert/your friends have left you to go to Lux (check the Lux Fragil article).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Galeto | Bars, Restaurants (Portuguese) | From € 10.00
Avenida Republica, 14 | Avenidas
07:00 – 03:30 daily

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Heidi Bar Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

I came across Heidi quite by accident on the chilliest of Lisbon nights, when a hot glass of glühwein really hit the spot. With only a Swiss flag hanging outside to betray its provenance, a visit to Heidi is disconcerting to say the least. One moment you’re standing on a gritty Bairro Alto street and the next you’re nestled in a cozy, Alpine cottage!

Fashioned in a manner that I can best describe as Chalet-ho!, this little bar comes complete with wood paneling, a grassy wall lining sprouting teeny flowers (edelweiss?), a tree trunk table and a myriad of quirky objets which Heidi herself may have used to entice Peter away from his goats. And, lest the concept still remains dubious, the DJ spins from a balcony of carved pine balusters identical to that of a typical Swiss cottage, and a large-scale mountain landscape spans one of the walls. If all this doesn’t provoke the urge slap on some lederhosen and yodel, I don’t know what will.

Owners Marc and Sindi are warm and welcoming. Old hands at the nightlife business in Switzerland and France, they fell in love with Lisbon and decided to bring a bit of Alpine cheer to this fair city. With a third, female element in tow – a Heidi of sorts – the bar opened in October 2009, and stays open every night of the week.

Cheese and cold meat “tapas” are also available for nibbles.

Allez hop!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Heidi Bar | Bars, Music | Glühwein € 3.50
Rua da Barroca 129 | Bairro Alto
Mon – Thu 18:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 02:45, Sun 21:00 – 02:45

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Hot Clube Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

Small in size but grand in spirit, Portugal’s first jazz bar opened its doors over 60 years ago (amidst a dictatorship, no less) and quickly secured its spot as the cult favourite for good live jazz in Lisbon.

Sadly, the building where Hot Clube resided experienced a major fire on Dec. 22, 2009. Although the club was located in the basement of that building and wasn’t actually affected by the fire that began on an upper floor, it was flooded by the water firemen used to put it out, and has been irreparably damaged.

The building is set to be demolished and rebuilt (maintaining the façade) and will eventually emerge as a grander House of Jazz, but there’s no telling how long this will take.

In the meantime, the management is working on securing another location, very close to the original and still in Praça da Alegria (Happiness Square!) from where Hot Clube will reopen “temporarily” until it returns to #39.

Stay tuned!

One thing I like about jazz, kid, is that I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Do you?
-Bix Beiderbecke

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hot Clube | Bars, Music
Praça da Alegria 39 | Liberdade | +351213467369
-

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Hotel Bairro Alto Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

This hotel is one of the latest additions of luxury hotels in downtown Lisbon. It’s location could not be better: right at the Praça Luis Camões.

Just like Hotel Chiado, the real price for me is the top-floor terrace. Comfortable sofas and chairs, heating and a great view.

Come at night, and have a drink here before dinner. The terrace is heated, so it’s comfortable all year round.

Expect to see a lot of (well-off) foreigners and no Portuguese at all. Prices are as expected: expensive. Best to just take a deep sigh and enjoy the view.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hotel Bairro Alto | Bars | Beer & view € 4.00
Praça Luís de Camões 8 | Bairro Alto | +351213408288
Summer 12:30 – 00:00 daily | Winter 12:30 – 22:00 daily

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Hotel Chiado Lisbon (by lisbon.theperfecthotels.com)

Besides having rather nice (and pricy) rooms, the hotel hosts a terrace with a breathtaking view of Baixa and the castle. A great place to have a drink.

Bring your wallet, because each beer will cost you around € 4.00.

The entrance is right next to the Armazens de Chiado. Just step into the lobby and head for the elevator.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hotel Chiado | Bars | Beer & view € 4.00
Rua Nova do Almada 114 | Chiado & Baixa | +351213256100
12:00 – 23:00 daily

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Incógnito Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

I secretly want to be a rock star. I wish I were Debbie Harry. But alas, in the roulette of life I wasn’t prized with a singing voice or particularly keen musical ability, and the only thing I share with Debs is the colour of my hair. Still, music is in my blood, and I do enjoy sweating out the frustrations of my shattered dream to good beats on a dance floor. This is one such place.

First and foremost, the music kicks ass. As Lisbon’s first real alternative bar and dance club, it opened its doors in the late 80s to wide praise. Since then, an ever-growing nighttime landscape has given rise to a crop of bars of a similar mindset, although Incógnito is not only still around but remains a Mecca for excellent alt-rock and retro pop beats to stroke those indie sensibilities.

The place is split into 3 levels – the ground floor has some seating (including a groovy, red eco-leather sofa) and curiously odd art-house movie clips are projected on one wall; a narrow mezzanine houses the main bar, and both overlook the dance floor on the basement level.

It gets packed in there, especially after bars shut in Bairro Alto at 02:00, and a line usually forms at the entrance. Official closing time is 04:00, though it’s closer to 05:00 on weekends. And be warned, smoking is allowed and the air does get thick in there by the middle of the night.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Incógnito | Bars, Music
Rua dos Poiais de São Bento 37 | Bairro Alto | +351213908755
Wed – Sat 23:00 – 04:00

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Kaffeehaus Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

Kaffeehaus is located in the middle of Chiado, just next to one of Lisbon’s most famous theatres, São Carlos. It fits in the old, and almost lost, tradition of literary cafés that were the trademark of Chiado. Kaffeehaus, however, does it in her own, Viennese style.

The place is hard to classify since you can go here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink at night. A better way to describe it would be its style: a great place to get up to date on what is happening in Lisbon, read a newspaper, have a coffee or a drink.

Besides the setting, the food helps! Try great Austrian pastry in the middle of Lisbon! Amazing Apfelstrüdel and a lot of other surprising dishes. There is something different written on the chalkboard every day, so you can always come back for something new!

Great place for a pit-stop on your Saturday-shopping in Chiado or a more prolonged break on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Be patient though, it is becoming and awful popular place!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kaffeehaus | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European/Austrian) | Main € 8.00
Rua Anchieta 3 | Chiado & Baixa | +351210956828
Tue – Thu 11:00 – 0:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 20:00

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Les Mauvais Garçons Lisbon (by Veronica)

Imagine an old Parisian café, with little wrought-iron tables, old leather armchairs and vintage black and white pictures hanging on the walls.

Now you can transfer this image into Lisbon’s Bairro Alto, and add a touch of 21st century modernity – wi-fi internet connection, Chill Out or Bossa Nova ambient music, some seriously delicious meals and snacks, which mix Italian, French and Spanish ingredients – and you have Les Mauvais Garçons!

When we first found this spot it was love at first site – this is one of the cosiest bistrôs in town! In the same space you can find groups of friends having after-work drinks, couples in a romantic date and mysterious loners reading a book or surfing the web.

In its crowdest periods (usually before diner), it can be quite noisy as its different influences bring people from all over the world there – sometimes it can seem like the Tower of Babel!

But most of the times this is a top spot to go to, with a nice wine selection, famous appetizers and desserts and a trendy atmosphere!

Vee’s favourites – Amazing Desserts.

Rita’s favourites – Vintage leather armchairs, bruschettas and pan tomaquet (crusty bread with a spicy tomato sauce)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Les Mauvais Garçons | Bars, Snacks | Wine € 2.50
Rua da Rosa 39 | Bairro Alto | +351213433212
12:00 – 00:00 daily

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Lusitano Clube / Roda de Choro Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

Clube Lusitano is an old-fashioned, neighborhood social club that’s most accustomed to seeing gritty local elders shoot the breeze and play a round of pool over a beer. But for a couple of hours on Tuesday nights, this club attracts a different, eclectic crowd, from intellectual to hipster to trendy, not to mention the handful of passers-by who are lured by the music flooding onto the street. This weekly gig started sometime in 2008, and has garnered quite a cult following.

Choro (or Chorinho, as it’s commonly known) means “cry” but this music, a popular Brazilian concoction sometimes referred to as the urban samba, mixes tango, polka and a good dose of African rhythm and is anything but melancholy. A live band, decked out in black-and-white head to toe, plays a heady mix of guitars, mandolin, accordion and pandeiro (type of tambourine) that gets under your skin and makes you want to move. Think you can’t dance? Relax. A caipirinha will cure that.

The main room’s high ceilings, dimly-lit wall sconces and oversized baroque mirror give off a slightly decadent feel…though I still don’t know what to make of the mirror ball dangling incongruously overhead. And as you can imagine, a room packed to capacity with human beings in fervent motion = heat. Wide open windows and ceiling fans are of little help, so be prepared to sweat in there (or slip away onto the street for a breath of fresh air).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lusitano Clube / Roda de Choro | Bars, Music | Entrance fee € 4.00
Rua São João da Praça, 81 | Castelo | +351218869472
Tue 22:30 – 12:30

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Lux Frágil Lisbon (by Rita Esgalhado)

If there is a place where all types of people gather it’s Lux. It’s the most democratic place to go clubbing, since it has 3 floors, all playing different types of music.

The top floor is an open area with a Wine Bar which always varies in the décor. The perfect time to be here is when the sun rises above the river – breathtaking! The middle floor also known as the Bar is where people gather to have a drink and talk, or just chill on one of the many beds that are laying around.

This area also has a great balcony facing the river where people hang out if not too cold or rainy. The bottom floor named Disco is where the hard partying really happens. Here all Dj’s show their best tunes, playing all sorts of music (mostly electronic). Every time we go there it’s a completely different night! Lux has the ability to reinvent itself every week, so this is why it has been a success for so many years. Be sure to check with their website the weekly program.

It is located in the west downtown area, near the Central Station of Santa Apolónia, making it a really easy to reach spot (it is also served by the blue Metro line). If you wish to dinner nearby, you can try Casanova (check the Casanova article) for the most delicious pizzas in town.

Rita’s favourites: Any Saturday night is always fun!

Vee’s favourites: Any night when Dezperados play.

Tip: when clubbing on a Saturday be sure to enter before 2 am, otherwise you’ll risk some serious queueing!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lux Frágil | Bars, Music | Entrance (include two drinks) € 12.00
Av. Infante D. Henrique | Riverside | +351218820890
Tue – Sat 22:00 – 06:00

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O Século Lisbon (by Adam Standring)

I am perhaps a little biased when it comes to writing about O Século because it was here that I held my first club nights in Lisbon.

O Século is one of those rare places in Lisbon that is not quite a bar in the Bairro Alto style yet it still keeps that cosy feel. There are places to sit and eat and somewhere to dance as well as comfy seats to lounge afterwards. O Século is a space which allows people to display their talents in the fields of music, film or art.

During the day the space serves light snacks and drinks but after dark O Século is the perfect place for a party.

Turning up to O Século on the spur of the moment means that you could find yourself in the midst of live music, an art exhibition opening, a kizomba party or, if you’re lucky, my very own BurnTheJukebox night.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
O Século | Bars, Music
Rua do Século, 80 | Bairro Alto | +351213243759
Until 02:00 daily

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Pavilhão Chinês Lisbon (by Rita)

Since it opened in 1986, Pavilhão Chinês has increased its popularity. Named after a grocery that existed in that same place, It is a very unique spot in Lisbon, with 5 different rooms and all over-decorated.

Here you can find all types of objects lying around from mugs, caricatures, flags, medals, little lead soldiers, Majolica pieces from the artist Bordalo Pinheiro, mixed with a very big sense of an almost organized chaos.

You can just relax, enjoy a little conversation and listen to music (if not overcrowded), or play some pool if the tables are available.

They have over 100 cocktails and all done perfectly. Also do not hesitate to try their sandwiches and tapas. If you’re in the mood for a tea, they have a wide selection to choose from.

This spot has a completely different atmosphere from the overcrowded streets of Bairro alto and the commotion it brings.

Don’t miss out on anything here. Even the menu is a work of art, designed by the owner.

If you are in the mood for a tea, go early and enjoy the company of other tourists, it can get sometimes a bit crowded with some tour-buses (not always though – mostly during the week), however if you want a real local feel, the later the better! Fridays and Saturdays are the best, from 11pm until they close you can’t go wrong!

Vee’s Favourites: Hot dog with Dijon mustard.

Rita’s Favourites: The crazy décor is just so rad!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pavilhão Chinês | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cocktails € 7.50
R. D. Pedro V 89 | Príncipe Real | +351213424729
Mon – Sat 18:00 – 02:00, Sun 21:00 – 02:00

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Pois Café Lisbon (by Erik Lassche)

Pois Café is owned and run by a couple of Austrian ladies. And it shows! The pies and cakes are absolutely fantastic. The interior looks like a huge living room, filled with comfortable sofas and chairs.

A nice detail are the books and magazines. It is full of them! All clients are encouraged to leave a second hand book or magazine, so you can spend all afternoon reading and eating Apfelstrudel!

This is a great place to have lunch or just a cup of coffee. It is close to Sé and the castle, so why not stop here after walking around in this historic part of town?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pois Café | Bars, Coffee & tea | Sandwich € 6.00
Rua S. João da Praça 93-95 | Alfama & Graça | +351218862497
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 20:00

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