Below are the main events that you can look for if you’re in town in the upcoming weeks:

COM’OUT LISBON
Until the 12th, from Thursday to Sunday, late in the afternoon, you can catch live music, dance and theater in the city’s gardens and viewpoints. It includes the OutJazz festival which this month takes place in the little-known Necessidades Park, on the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th starting at 5PM.
Everything is free.

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT
On Septmber 9th, most boutiques in Lisbon’s main shopping areas (Chiado, Avenida da Liberdade and surroundings) will remain open until late, taking part of an event organized by Vogue magazine in several world cities. Prices will be reduced and between 7PM and midnight there will also be some fun activities at some shops.

QUEER LISBOA
Lisbon’s longest-running film festival is its gay and lesbian film festival which happens every September in the center of the city. This year it’s once again taking place in Cinema São Jorge, a theater in Avenida da Liberdade, from the 17th to the 25th. Each screening costs 3.50 and tickets can be bought starting on the 8th.
It shows close to 100 films from around the world, so if you plan to see several of them, you can get a discount for multiple tickets.

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GoLisbon has once again updated its Calendar of Events, listing the upcoming concerts in the city. From now until the end of the year you’ll be able to see performances by Lady Gaga, Shakira, the reborn Guns N’ Roses, Placebo, Limp Bizkit and many others.
And now that the Portuguese soccer (football) season has begun, if you’re a fan of the sport and would like to catch a game when you’re in town, you may also get your tickets here, as well as tickets to any of the concerts listed.
The big summer music festivals may now be over but there will be plenty of music and spectacle going on in Lisbon through the winter. In the upcoming weeks, we’ll also provide information on all other events which will range from street to film festivals.
See the LISBON CALENDAR OF EVENTS here.

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There are many outdoor cafés in Lisbon and a long riverfront to enjoy the sun and fresh air. And on the most pleasant days, especially at this time of the year, you don’t have to step back indoors to enjoy your lunch or dinner. There are several restaurants with outdoor seating, and the ones by the river are especially inviting for their ambience and views. You’ll find many on the attractive docks under 25 de Abril Bridge, but those tend to be a little touristy. For a more refined atmosphere in a similar setting, head to one of the five suggestions below, which all offer a good gastronomic experience and outdoor seating.

IBO
Most people are not very familiar with African cuisines, but as a former capital of an empire with colonies in “the Dark Continent,” Lisbon has a few restaurants where you can begin to discover some of the flavors from south of the Sahara. This restaurant on the riverfront by the Cais do Sodré train and ferry terminal specializes in the food of Mozambique but curiously adds a few influences from another former Portuguese colony, India’s Goa. The interior is quite contemporary and attractive, and the river can be seen from the large windows. However, try to get a table outside when the sun is shining.

XICO’S
We’ve already posted a review of this restaurant, found on the top floor of a former warehouse. It faces the river and has a terrace for al fresco dining. The cuisine is essentially Iberian but there are some inspirations from above the Pyrenees, such as the “Entrecôte Café de Paris.” If you can’t get a table on the terrace, enough fresh air flows into the contemporary interior.

BICA DO SAPATO
It’s one of the best and best-known restaurants in the city but few know that it also has a simpler cafeteria service and a special sushi section. Whether you’re going for a special meal of contemporary Portuguese cuisine or for the lighter menu, you can sit outside on the terrace facing the river. In addition to the river views your attention will also be drawn to the stylish décor of your surroundings.

CASANOVA
On the same row of renovated warehouses as Bica do Sapato is this equally trendy but much simpler Italian restaurant. Many swear it makes the best pizzas in town which are extra-extra-thin here. Unfortunately it doesn’t take reservations, so you may have to wait a while for a table, even on weekdays. The best seats are, of course, outside on the terrace.

JARDIM DO MARISCO
The name means “Seafood Garden” but it recently added a “Jardim do Sushi” (“Sushi Garden”) on the upper level. Found a couple of doors down from Xico’s (see above), it’s also known for its steaks. No matter what you choose, you’ll always have the Tagus at your feet as you enjoy it.

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Because summer in Lisbon lasts until October, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy some of the best spots of the season. Of the many terraces in the city (from outdoor cafés to riverfront restaurants), the ones to seek this summer are high up on the rooftops, offering views, cooler air, drinks, and relaxation after a day of sightseeing, meetings, or work:

SKY BAR

It was one of the most talked-about bars last summer and it’s back this year. The views alone are worth a visit, but then there is also a good variety of cocktails (including a couple of non-alcoholic choices), soups, salads, wraps and noodles. It’s found at the top of the Tivoli Lisboa Hotel and it’s especially recommended late in the afternoon, staying for a light dinner as the sun sets followed by late-night cocktails.

BRASSERIE ROSSIO

It’s one of Lisbon’s newest restaurants in one of the city’s newest hotels (Altis Avenida). So not too many people know that from here there are beautiful views of downtown all the way to the river, standing above Rossio Station and Restauradores Square. Although the dining area is indoors (but still offering views through its glassed walls), tables and chairs have been placed on the terrace so you can enjoy a light meal or simply a drink at any time of the day. And that’s open to everyone, including non-hotel guests.

NH LIBERDADE

Right in the center of Lisbon’s busiest avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, is one of the city’s top secrets. It’s on the top floor of the NH Liberdade Hotel, a terrace with a pool open to non-hotel guests. For 20 euros (quite reasonable for a hotel pool in the city center), you can spend the day diving and swimming surrounded by city views. When you need to regain some energy, there are salads, sandwiches, juices and beer to enjoy poolside until the sun sets.

TERRACE

It’s quite small and all the seats are usually taken when you get there, but it’s worth waiting for a spot at this rooftop bar in the Bairro Alto Hotel. Recommended for the afternoon, the drink to get on the hottest days is the “granizado,” a crushed ice and fruit blend.

ENTRETANTO

Perhaps the best-known of all Lisbon’s rooftop terraces, “Entretanto” of the Hotel do Chiado is nontheless looking to surprise its guests. It’s offering a “happy hour” late in the afternoon which actually lasts for more than 60 minutes, allowing you to enjoy special drinks and snacks at more reasonable prices. To accompany them are fantastic city views, from the castle to the top of the triumphal arch of Comercio Square.

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August is one of the months when Lisbon receives its largest number of tourists, yet it’s when you see the least amount of people on the streets. That’s because many locals are on vacation and have essentially moved down the coast to Algarve, are traveling elsewhere in Europe and around the world, or sunbathing at the beaches of Costa da Caparica. But the city’s cultural and entertainment calendar does not take a break, and those spending their August days in the city will always find plenty to do. Here are some highlights:

WATCH WARHOL TV
The Berardo Museum is one of Lisbon’s most-see attractions, not just for its permanent collection but also because it’s free. There are also temporary exhibitions and this month it has one focusing on works by one of the world’s top contemporary artists, Andy Warhol. Many don’t know that Warhol produced and directed several TV productions between 1979 and 1987, and you can see them here this month and at any time until November 14. These productions reflect the artist’s constant inspiration from the celebrity and entertainment worlds in 1980s New York.

ENJOY JAZZ OUTDOORS
Every August the Gulbenkian Foundation offers a jazz program in its gardens, and this year there is even more outdoor jazz in the city. Every weekend this month you’ll find free jazz concerts in the Belém gardens (next to the Jeronimos Monastery) starting at 5PM. Even if jazz isn’t your favorite music genre, it’s a relaxing soundtrack for a break during your Lisbon sightseeing.

VISIT PORTUGAL ARTE 2010
Leading contemporary artists are showing their works in Lisbon’s Portugal Pavilion, in the city’s squares, and in three other cities in the south of the country. This month-long event is a biannual public art show consisting of installations and sculpture related to contemporary life created by national and international artists. You can check it out until August 15 and get more information on the official website: http://www.portugalarte.org/

SPEND YOUR NIGHTS AT THE URBAN BEACH
The beaches of Cascais will get a lot of extra visitors this month. They’re the ones looking for a refreshing dip in the sea, an escape from the city or a suntan, but when the sun goes down it doesn’t mean your time at the beach has to be over. In the center of Lisbon there is an urban beach that opens in the afternoon and lasts until morning. We told you about it last year (Nightlife’s a Beach), and the news for the summer 2010 season is a new sushi restaurant called “Sakana.” If you don’t like raw fish, there is always the Kobe restaurant on the site, specializing in steak.
But if all you want is to chill out, you can go just for cocktails with your feet in the sand and the Tagus River at your feet.

CULTURE DAYS IN THE CCB
The Belém Cultural Center is currently offering a program of special events in its outdoor spaces lasting until the 31st of the month. This year it’s dedicated to World Music, especially that coming from Iberia and Latin America. But it’s not just about music, as it also presents dance, theater and cinema. It takes place on weekends, and you can see the website for more information: http://www.ccb.pt

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This year’s edition of Lisbon’s Oceans Festivals starts this weekend and will last until August 14, with a rich schedule of free events throughout the city. Many of them take place in the city’s main squares and as close to the river as possible. This is, after all, an event meant to celebrate water, the oceans and the cultures around them, although this year it will also mark the centenary of the Portuguese Republic.
The festival starts with a concert by singer Lauryn Hill and will go on with performances by Estelle, special Fado nights, street entertainment, special museum activities, and a fireworks show synchronized with music by the river on the final night.

The opening shows this Saturday are in Comercio Square at 9PM with a stage for Lauryn Hill and Estelle. The Fado nights will begin on the following night in Municipal Square, and continue on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 13th of August at 10PM. Some of Fado’s top-selling artists will be performing, including Mafalda Arnauth, Cristina Branco, Kátia Guerreiro and Joana Amendoeira.
Another square in the center of the city with special activities is Camões Square which will be transformed into an “aquarium” and a venue for poetry recitals and other events.
From the 5th to the 12th of August the city’s museums will also open at night, offering special exhibitions and events, also free like everything else related to this festival.
For the complete schedule of events see the festival’s official website: http://www.festivaldosoceanos.com/

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When Portugal’s King Carlos was assassinated in 1908 it marked the end of monarchy and the beginning of a republic for the Portuguese government. That finaly happened in 1910 so this year the country is celebrating 100 years of presidents and not kings. There will be several special events and exhibitions until the end of the year, and one of them is starting at the end of this month.
From July 31st to August 14th you can see a free exhibition of images of Portugal taken by National Geographic magazine over the decades. They’ll be on display inside the city’s Oceanario and can be seen from 10AM to 8PM.
Called “The Greatness of Little Portugal,” the exhibit starts with 100-year-old photos of Portugal and there’s a special focus on the Lisbon of the 1920s. These images come from articles and photojournalistic reports published in the American magazine, with the Lisbon photos reproduced from a 1922 article titled “Lisbon, the City of the Friendly Bay.”
This will be of interest to locals, but also to tourists who’ll be able to compare the city they see now to what it used to look like then. It’s interesting to note that many of the façades and trams remain the same.

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There are many great ice cream shops in Lisbon, but ask anyone which is their favorite and they’ll most likely name one outside the city. That’s Santini in the suburb of Cascais which has been serving tempting Italian ice creams since the late 1940s. But starting today everyone can also find it in the center of Lisbon, in the Chiado district.
It opens its doors at 10AM and unlike the shop in Cascais, it will not close in winter. So from now on there will be Santini ice creams throughout the year and so much more accessible.
What makes these ice creams so special? There are no artificial flavorings (if it says it’s of a certain fruit, it really is) and they’re all made on that same day. For the Lisbon branch there will be new flavors such as ginger and purple passion fruit to add to the cinnamon, green tea, and other old favorites such as raspberry and mango. Another great news is that it will also serve the Best Chocolate Cake in the World which will perhaps become the most popular choice on the colder days. On those winter days it will also likely be accompanied by the Nespresso coffee available.
You can have it all at any time, as doors will only close at midnight every day.

Address: Rua do Carmo, 9

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Those walking around Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood, especially around the city’s cathedral on the way up to the castle often end up at “Pois,” an Austrian-inspired café. It’s a local favorite and it has reached the guidebooks as one of the best places for a quick meal in this part of town. That café now has a new competitor down the street, the new “Cruzes Credo,” found to the right of the cathedral.
Unlike Pois, it serves dinner, staying open until 2AM (doors open at 8AM). It has a very relaxed atmosphere and a well-preserved interior of stone walls and industrial lighting around which a menu of light meals is served. There are toasted sandwiches and hamburgers that can be accompanied by wine by the glass.
After dinner you can go for the mojitos and caipirinhas, in a dimly-lit ambience to the sounds of electro-jazz.

Address: Rua Cruzes da Sé, 29

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If you’re in Lisbon this month and pass by its opera house (São Carlos Theater) you’ll notice that the square in front of it has been taken over by chairs and a stage. That’s because that’s where one of the city’s main summer festivals is taking place, offering concerts and ballet performances in the open air — free of charge.
It’s happening until the 27th at 10PM and it’s an event that attracts locals and tourists thanks to the international program.
Among the performing groups are the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and São Carlos National Theater Choir which you usually have to pay admission to enjoy.
Next weekend (the 17th and 18th) is dedicated to Verdi, and the following weekdays are for dance performances by the National Ballet of Portugal.
The final night, the 27th, will be a special “Macau Night” dedicated to the former Portuguese colony that became part of China ten years ago with a performance by the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Complete festival information here: Festival ao Largo

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