Pensão Amor Lisbon – Love house

Although Pensão Amor used to be a brothel (the name translates as "Love House"), and still has many of its original features including furry walls, it’s now one of the most popular bars in Lisbon, near Cais do Sodre and yes, this was a cheap pension with rooms rented by the hour to prostitutes and their clients to enjoy a short moment of love.

The decadent mood is further set by careful attention to period details right down to the faux, trompe l'oeil ceiling and pub-style piano. The bar serves a great selection of beers, wine, spirits and cocktails and guests are further entertained by regular live music performances, burlesque shows and clean and tasteful pole dancing exhibitions in an adjoining salon.

The burlesque shows are fantastic and the urge to do a workshop after watching one is huge, which you can also do in Pensão Amor.

The upper floors are occupied by a number of independent retailers, many specialising in alternative fashion and handcrafted jewellery. It is great to find an original and unique gift for someone special. For me this is one of the highlights of this spot because you can do several things at the same time in the same place.