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Image 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 are 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 23:00 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!
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
Just came back from Lisbon and had a wonderfull time at the Pavilhao, We arrived at 1:30 after a night of Fado and figured we had time for a quick drink but ended up staying rather late and a few drinks later got asked to leave.
Loved the fact that we didn’t had to leave a card to pay by the bar, we had to tell (and try to remind) all we had for them to come up with a figure to pay.
The decor and people are amazing! The only issue is the smoking, as it’s been a long time we have the smoking ban in place in London.
I will go back again and again!
I’ve read all of the comments so far and the one thing I can agree with is the fact that “Lisboans” begin their night super late! It makes it challenging for me to keep up with friends but most definitely worth it!
Pavilhao Chines is beautiful – inside and out and I really recommend it to all that are Lisbon.
The decor inside is really amazing and you could spend a day just looking at all the cool items they have. The waiters are nice and fit the part and the list of teas and other beverages is impressive and delicious!
Great place to visit!
I walked past this on several evenings on the way back to my hotel without realising it was a bar. When I did go in, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was early – pre dinner drinks. But it wasn’t as full of tourists as the previous comments suggest. The house wine was fine, the service good (but then I’m a Londoner, and we get very excited by anywhere with table service). It was a little surreal to see people smoking in the pool room at the back, and the sound track of 80s chart hits was perhaps a little atmosphere destroying. But I would recommend it if only for one quick drink on your way somewhere else.
Hello,
It’s a pitty that you didn’t enjoyed the Pavilhão Chinês as much as we do, but you have to keep in mind that we “Lisboans” don’t go to places early,never have and never will, so if you do try that, you will end up with tourists.
Like a lot of the places in the area, as Fado houses (in bairro alto), it does tend to have a lot of tourists, however depending on the hour you do go there (the later the better it gets), it changes the feel of the place.
You should try it on a typical friday night at 11pm and so on, and you would definitely have a lot of fun with the locals, even with our so-called mediocre beers.
Thanks for the comment, we will add a note stating for people to go later.
So here is the deal with Pavilhao Chines…great place to visit for the sheer uniqueness of the decor, but not for a local bar feel.
I was very excited to visit the spot since it came highely recommended, but was very underwhelmed. Once you enter you realize everyone in the ‘bar’ has done the same research you have. It is full of 30-something year old hip-ish Western European tourists. If I had walked into the Pavilhao Chines with this knowledge I would not have been disappointed.
This is not to say I did not have a good time. Thank god I went with my girlfriend and was able to play scrabble while sipping on some mediocre Portoguese lagers.
If you are a 20-something year old wanting to meet Lisboans, stay away. If sipping some nice tea and chatting with friends in a cozy quiet low-key setting is more your thing, check it out.
This is an amazing place indeed! Very special. You should at least walk in here and check it out!