Lisbon Bars
Chilling out with a drink
There's a wide range of bars and
pubs in Lisbon, and visitors should not leave the city without doing some bar-hopping in Bairro Alto.
Whether you're
looking for a traditional, down-to-earth tavern, a sleek bar, or a cozy
chill-out atmosphere, there is a place for you.
Practically every bar serves imperial (draught beer of the
Portuguese "Sagres" or "Super Bock" brands), usually costing less than 2
euros, while the increasingly popular caipirinhas and
caipiroscas average about 3 euros. In the most fashionable Bairro
Alto and dockside bars the prices double. Cocktails are more expensive, the
best of which are found in Cinco Lounge. Those looking for all kinds
of vodka should head to the appropriately named House of Vodka, and
to try local drinks, go into A Ginginha in late afternoon or sample
port at Solar do Vinho do Porto. A good choice of non-alcoholic
beverages is Side, and for a unique experience, look into
Pavilhão Chinês (also the best place to sit and chat). For singles or couples, lay in bed at Bedroom.
More information on these and other places is found below.
B'ARTIS
Rua do Diario de Noticias, 95-97, Bairro Alto
A cozy bar popular with creative types who enjoy jazz. Wooden
furnishings and classic old movie posters give it a decades-old ambience,
and its range of snacks and wines is good.
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A GoLisbon FAVORITE... The trendiest Bairro Alto bar:
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BICAENSE
Rua da Bica Duarte Belo, 38-42, Bairro Alto
This laid-back lounge bar on the steep street climbed by the Bica
Elevator is a favorite with cool young Lisboetas. Clocks and film
projectors dominate the decoration of the front room, while next door are
giant beanbags and multi-colored lights. A fun and unpretentious crowd of
arty types and clubbers gather to enjoy the sounds of hip house and future
soul spun by a resident DJ.
BRITISH BAR
Rua Bernadino Costa, 52, Downtown
This Anglo-Portuguese bar close to Cais do Sodré train station seems
stuck in the 1930s, and literally goes back in time with a famous
anticlockwise clock. It has Guinness on tap to satisfy homesick Brits.
CAFÉDIÁRIO
Rua do Diário de Noticias, 3, Bairro Alto
A popular, welcoming place serving some great "caipirinhas." The
multicolored bar is small, so most of the action takes place outside, where
a crowd of 20-something trendsetters gathers before heading to the clubs.
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A GoLisbon FAVORITE... The best cocktails in town:
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CLUB CARIB
Rua da Atalaia, 78 Bairro Alto
The sounds are different every day, but always range from Caribbean, to Latin (Cuban, Brazilian, tango...), to African.
Guest DJs and special performances are other attractions that make a visit to this bar always a different experience. There are not
many other places in Lisbon offering these kinds of sounds, so if you're a fan of these upbeat rhythms, this is the place to head to in
Bairro Alto.
CLUBE DA ESQUINA
Rua da Barroca, 30-32, Bairro Alto
Unlike the other Bairro Alto bars that only open at night, Clube da
Esquina opens in mid-afternoon. With more sitting room than the typical
Bairro Alto bar, it is a welcoming place attracting a young crowd. Still, the wooden interior can become quite crowded on weekends,
when most tend to stand outside, in true Bairro Alto fashion.
ESTADO LIQUIDO
(www.estadoliquido.com) -
Largo de Santos, 5a
This is one of the coolest disco-bars in Lisbon, from the interior design to the overall relaxed vibe.
Upstairs is a hip sushi bar open until late.
A GINGINHA
Largo de São Domingos, 8, Downtown
It is something of a ritual for locals to step into this tiny
hole-in-the-wall bar at the end of the day. It is named after a local
cherry brandy, something you may want to try if you like strong drinks.
HEROIS
Calçada do Sacramento, 14, Chiado
A cool, minimalist bar that attracts a youthful crowd of gays and
straights who sit in comfy bean bags before or after dinner in the adjoining
restaurant.
HOT CLUBE
(www.hcp.pt) Praça da Alegria, 39, Uptown
Lisbon's oldest jazz club has a reputation of a high standard of classic
jazz and an authentic atmosphere in a smoky room with a low ceiling and
faded posters adorning the walls.
HOUSE OF VODKA
Rua da Escola Politecnica, 27, Principe
Real
Futuristic décor, different types
of music, and true to its name, 300 different kinds of vodka.
MAJONG
Rua da Atalaia 3, Bairro Alto
The decoration (usually minimalist) changes regularly, but what always remains is a faithful
clientele who has come here for years and made it one of Bairro Alto's best-known bars.
Sit by the large windows watching the Bairro Alto wanderers and listen to the usual World Music or electronic sounds.
MARIA CAXUXA
Rua da Barroca 6-12,
Bairro Alto
Who would have thought that a former bakery would turn into one of the trendiest bars in Bairro Alto?
Some of the furniture and machinery (including a wood oven on the wall) remain from the bakery.
It has a welcoming ambience and an atypically-large interior (by Bairro Alto standards), but
of course most still prefer to follow the old Bairro Alto tradition and stand outside.
On weekdays the sounds are relaxing lounge music, while on weekends it tends to be house.
NAPRON
Rua da Barroca, 111, Bairro Alto
A relaxed bar with crocheted decoration by young Portuguese artist
Joana Vasconcelos covering the seats and walls. The "house drink" is sparkling Portuguese wine served in a cup or
in a cocktail to accompany a plate of Portuguese snacks made up of regional
bread, cheese, and olives.
NECTAR WINE BAR
(www.nectar-winebar.com) Rua dos Douradores 33, Baixa/Downtown
This relaxed wine bar has a modern and welcoming decor and a wide selection of wines from all over Portugal and the world.
All the wines on the list may be served by the glass and there are plenty of snacks and light meals to go along with them.
NETJAZZ CAFE
Costa do Castelo 1-7, Alfama
Located in the basement of Chapitô, this bar offers jazz, world music, and reggae sounds along with live shows late in the week.
There is also internet connection in a separate room.
O'GILIN's IRISH PUB
Rua dos Remolares, 8, Downtown
This is the oldest Irish pub in the city with a very convivial
atmosphere. It has imported beers on tap and traditional Irish bands often
perform from Thursday to Saturday.
PAVILHÃO CHINÊS
Rua Dom Pedro V, 89, Principe
Real
And now for something completely different... This former 19th century tea and coffee shop is a really quirky bar with
an eclectic decoration and comfortable sofas. The rooms are surrounded by
glass cabinets stuffed with curious and odd artifacts from around the world,
and there is a wide selection of teas and other drinks. It also has a good
snack menu, which together with a back-room pool table, attracts people of all ages.
PORTAS LARGAS
Rua da Atalaia, 105, Bairro Alto
Wide doors ("portas largas") open into a popular old-fashioned bar with
a marble counter, an old cash register, and blue and white tiles creating a
rather rustic look. It is traditionally known as a stopover for gays
heading to Fragil across the street, but attracts a mixture of casual
drinkers and tourists. Despite the spacious interior, many choose to stand
by the doorway chatting and people-watching.
SANTIAGO ALQUIMISTA
Rua de Santiago 19, Alfama
Live music and cultural programs (literary gatherings, plays, exhibitions) are the main attraction of this café-bar with a cool atmosphere.
SIDE
Rua da Barroca, 33, Bairro Alto
Side is unique in Bairro Alto for being the only bar open during the
day. Its light lunchtime menu consisting of homemade salads and quiches
attracts health-conscious locals, while at night there is a choice of
delicious fresh fruit juices and the typical alcoholic beverages. The space is cool and small so
its window seats get quickly filled by a crowd of laid-back art
and media types. Those unable to get a seat fill the paving area outside,
mingling with those standing by Clube da Esquina on the opposite side (see above).
SNOB
Rua do Século, 178, Bairro Alto
Snob opens earlier and closes later than most Bairro Alto bars. It is
also one of the few establishments offering a late-night menu. It's a cozy,
rather upmarket bar popular with media types who chat in green leather
booths enjoying cocktails or a late-night snack.
SOLAR DO VINHO DO PORTO
Rua de São Pedro de Alcantara, 45, Bairro Alto
The Port Wine Institute, set in an 18th century palace, lures in
visitors with over 300 varieties of port. Prices for a glass start at 1
euro, and are served at low tables.
SPEAKEASY
Cais das Oficinas, Armazem 115
This music bar plays jazz, funk, and blues. It also occasionally hosts
events featuring well-known Portuguese artists.
ULTIMA SÉ
Travessa do Almargem, 1B Alfama
This cool bar's proximity to the cathedral inspired part of its décor made up of classic statues and paintings.
It is also a sushi bar and the music ranges from alternative to hip hop, reggae, and house.
ZDB - GALERIA ZÉ DOS BOIS
Rua da Barroca, 59, Bairro Alto
The name suggests this is a gallery, but it is more than that. This is a space for alternative and contemporary
art open at night with a diverse program that often includes alternative music concerts. The slightly run down space also has a bar.
