Lisbon Clubs
Dancing and partying in Lisbon
Lisbon has established a reputation as one of Europe's main clubbing cities.
Whether your preference is dancing to house or to the sounds of a live band, the city
provides a full range of clubs.
The major dance spots are concentrated near the river in Avenida 24 de
Julho (between downtown and
Belém), in the
docklands below 25
de Abril Bridge to the west, and across from Santa Apolonia train station
to
the east.
Since most locals begin the night with a long dinner and bar-hopping for
hours, the dancing clubs only really get going after 2AM, and no real
hard-core reveler leaves before dawn. During the week admission is often
free, but can cost anywhere between 10 and 20 euros on weekends.
Some club entrances are extremely low-key and you must ring a bell to get
in, as is the case with Fragil and Incognito. The best club
in the city is Lux, but if you don't make it
past the selective doormen, a good alternative is Op Art that also
faces the river.
Below you'll find information on these and other clubs worth checking
out.
BBC
(www.belembarcafe.com) -
Avenida Brasilia, Pavilhão Poente
A restaurant-bar-club combination attracting a wealthy and rather
pretentious crowd that demands a higher degree of sophistication. It is a
stylish place with resident DJs often hosting theme parties.
BUDDHA
(www.buddha.com.pt) - Gare
Maritima de Alcantara, 30, Docas
This club in a 1940s maritime terminal has exotic wooden furnishings
creating an oriental ambience.
Large and smaller Buddhas imitate Buddhist
sanctuaries, and low tables and leather couches and beanbags make up the
rest of the décor. Although it has the same name as the famous Paris bar,
here the music is Deep House, with chill out sounds reserved for the lounge.
It frequently hosts theme nights, and is worth checking out to end your
night if you decide to dine at one of the restaurants facing it on the dock.
DOCKS
Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, 226
Catering to all crowds, this place is filled with varied sounds from
pop to trance. It has a kitsch colonial décor, with large sofas and
comfortable armchairs that allow you to relax and sip a drink before you
step into the dance floor.
ESTADO LIQUIDO
(www.estadoliquido.com) -
Largo de Santos, 5a
A stylish place that attracts a laid-back crowd, playing chill-out and
deep house.
It specializes in "morangoska," a vodka and strawberry cocktail.
FRAGIL
(www.fragil.com.pt) Rua da Atalaia, 128, Bairro
Alto
Fragil is really a bar with a small dance floor. It is a landmark in
Lisbon's nightlife, as it was one of the city's first clubs when it opened
in 1983. Its popularity has dwindled, but still gets packed on weekends by
a largely gay but essentially mixed crowd in a feel-good atmosphere. A
lively place with resident DJs spinning electronic beats, although it
doesn't really get going until around 2AM (ring the bell for admission).
INCOGNITO
(www.incognitobar.com) - Rua
dos Polais de São Bento, 37, Bairro Alto
Appropriately named, this split-level club has no name on the door, and
you must ring a doorbell to get in. It is one of Lisbon's oldest clubs, and
its music has changed little since it opened, often spinning 80s, indie,
alt-pop, and techno. It's a friendly place, and still a popular choice for
a wide range of people looking for alternative sounds. Upstairs is a loft
bar, while the basement is a noisy dance floor.
KAPITAL
(www.grupo-k.pt) Avenida 24 de Julho, 68
With a tough door policy, this club is known to cater to the city's elite since it opened in the early 90's. Each of its sleekly
designed three floors plays a different style of music and has its own
characteristics, with the top floor being a VIP lounge that attracts
businessmen, politicians, yuppies, and aspirational types.
KREMLIN
(www.grupo-k.pt) Rua das Escadinhas da Praia, 5 (by Avenida 24 de Julho)
This superclub was once ranked as the best club in Europe for house
music, and featured in DJ magazine's list of the top 10 European
clubs. Today it is notorious for its Ecstasy-entranced clientele and known
as the venue in the city that attracts the most varied crowd (yuppies, call
girls, gays, straights, and models all mingle together). The music is deep
house and the décor has a bizarre oriental theme.
The LOFT
(www.theloft.pt) Rua do Instituto Industrial, 6
This used to be called "People" that for some time was one of Lisbon's most fashionable clubs.
Today it attracts a rather young crowd.
There is a lounge complete with beanbags and low tables inviting you to sit with a drink, but the DJ spinning house in the middle of the
dance floor will also get you in the party mood.
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A GoLisbon FAVORITE... Lisbon's trendiest club:
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LUX
(www.luxfragil.com) Avenida
Infante Dom Henrique,
Doca do Jardim do Tabaco, Alfama
Partly owned by Hollywood actor John Malkovich, this is Lisbon's hippest
club and one of Europe's most fashionable (especially when it comes to the interior decoration), having attracted visiting stars
like Cameron Diaz and Prince. It couldn't be a more stylish place, with a
spacious interior decorated with funky and retro furniture.
Top DJs spin cutting-edge music downstairs in a frenzied dance floor, while
the top floor has a more relaxed vibe with an alternative soundtrack.
A
balcony running around the building overlooks the river, while a breezy
rooftop terrace is a great place to watch the sun rise early in the morning.
As expected, everyone tries to come here, so
expect highly selective doormen and long queues on weekends.
This is THE place to spend the night in Lisbon.
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MAXIME
(www.cabaret-maxime.com) - Praça da Alegria, 58
Lisbon's legendary cabaret was given a makeover and instead of barely dressed women you'll find live performances and concerts. The fabulous cabaret décor remains, though.
MUSICBOX
(http://www.musicboxlisboa.com) - Rua Nova Do Carvalho, 24
Located in the seedy-chic red light district of Cais do Sodré, this is a trendy hotspot for live bands and DJs. Managed a record label, it also hosts video and film projections, making this also a cultural destination at night.
OP ART
(www.opartcafe.com) Doca de Santo
Amaro
A small square-shaped building standing below 25 de Abril Bridge is a
café during the day, but turns into a music club at night. With such a
stunning location, you can come for a light meal on the esplanade alongside
the river before sunset, or watch the sun come up in the early morning to
the sounds of electronica and chilled out house music (it closes at 6AM on
weekends). It's unquestionably the best nightspot option in the popular "docas."
PARADISE GARAGE
(www.paradisegarage.pt) Rua João Oliveira Migueis, 38-48
This former warehouse is a lively music venue during most of the week,
and perhaps the best place in Lisbon to listen to some local and foreign
bands. On weekends it is often the final stop for club-hoppers, playing
some easy-listening garage music well into the morning.
PLATEAU
Escadinhas da Praia, 3 (by Avenida 24 de Julho)
Right next door to Kremlin (see above), this is a much more relaxed
place with 80's and 90's music - the ideal choice for those who enjoy pop
and mainstream sounds.
