Lisbon Nightlife: 10 Cool Bars in Portugal's Capital City

Lisbon is a great city to go out in. The food is great and the drinks are even better. But with so many bars to go out in, the choice can be a little overwhelming. To help you whittle down your options, I spoke to David and José, two Lisbon natives who work on the tech team here at Homestay.com.

The main piece of advice the guys have for a night out in Lisbon is that the evening starts late and ends even later. So start the night slow and head out for a caipirinha on the hilly streets of Barrio Alto and weave your way through this stunning city.

1 Park, Calçada do Combro 58, Piso 6, Bairro Alto

Cheers to being back in Lisboa

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In a city as hilly as Lisbon, rooftop bars are a big hit and one of the best is Park on Calçada do Combro. Built atop a rather unremarkable car park, the bar has a cool, chilled out vibe that is best enjoyed over a cold glass or beer or the local green wine, with the sun setting over the city. Food is served during the day while outdoor cinema screenings and DJs are part of the night-time activities.

2 Madeira Pura Rua do Terreiro do Trigo, 72-74, Alfama

#MadeiraPura

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Located in the old Alfama neighbourhood, Madeira Pura is a no-frills kind of bar with some classic Madeiran cuisine. The staff are friendly, the food is delicious and the simple interior makes it a great place to hide out with a beer during the heat of the afternoon.

3 A Tabacaria Rua de São Paulo, 75-77, Cais do Sodré

Along with Barrio Alto, Casi do Sodré is a haven for bar flies. The first of several in this neighbourhood is A Tabacaria. The old style interior will give you that Ernest Hemmingway vibe while the excellent selection of spirits will only heighten the feeling. The gins and rums are of particular note here, with the staff happy to mix you a drink based on your tastes rather than just ordering off the menu.

4 By the Wine Rua das Flores, 41/43, Chiado

Want to join? #josemariadafonseca #bythewinejosemariadafonseca

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Wine, wine and more wine is what’s on offer at this Chiado bar and man do they do it well. The range stocked here is all sourced from the wineries of Jose Maria da Fonseca, a noted Portuguese winemaker and the interior of this bar, from the bottles decorating the ceiling, to the barrels around the bar, reflect his passion. There’s also a great selection of wines by the glass if you don’t want to commit to a whole bottle.

5 Maria Caxuxua Rua da Barroca, 6-12, Barrio Alto

One of the most popular bars in Barrio Alto, you’ll easily find Maria Caxuxua by the crowd that gather outside the bar. The vintage cinema posters that cover the walls and comfy sofas make the bar a great stop off spot, while the caipirinhas they mix here are legendary too.

6 The Old Pharmacy Wine Inn Rua do Diario de Noticias 73-81, Barrio Alto

Another great wine bar, this time in Barrio Alto. As the name suggests the bar was once a pharmacy and the owners have retained the medicinal interior using the large cabinets and cases to store local libations these days, rather than remedies. The charcuterie and cheese boards here are great too and the bar is a great start off point for a night out in the party district of Barrio Alto.

7 Ginginha do Carmo Largo São Domingos, 8, Rossio

If you want to try the local brew when you’re in Portugal then you have to try ginjinha, also known as ginja. A sweet liqueur made from sour cherries, the delicious drink is traditionally served in small chocolate cups. Ginginha do Carmo in the heart of the city is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall style bar that specialises in the drink and is a hit with locals and tourists alike. Pop by for an after-dinner drink or stop off on a windy day for a drink that’s sure to warm you up.

8 Sol e Pesca Rua Nova do Carvalho, 44, Cais do Sodré

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Rua Nova do Carvalho is a great place to head for a night out: better known as “the pink street” because of the bright paint that illuminates the pedestrianised road, the area is filled with bars and restaurants that you can work your way through. Sol e Pesca stands out from the others however mostly because at first glance it looks more like a shop for fishing tackle rather than a place to grab a drink. Fear not however as the drinks are aplenty and the snacks are a surprisingly delicious variety of tinned and preserved fish. The smoked tuna here was particularly great.

9 Pensão do Amor Rua do Alecrim 19, Cais do Sodré

Don’t be put off by the shabby exterior of this bar, the inside is as opulent as they come. With a distinctive cabaret vibe, the scarlet walls hark back to the buildings past as a brothel but today the stunning plasterwork and ornate decoration give Pensão do Amor a more upmarket vibe. There are still nods to the building’s past in the décor however and the live music and performances can tend towards the risqué. It’s the kind of bar that’s hard to find but even harder to leave.

10 Pavilhão Chinês Rua Dom Pedro V 89, Barrio Alto

A charming old classic #pavilhaochines #lisboa

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If Pensão do Amor sounds a little too risqué for you, then Pavilhão Chinês is the place for you. The bar is an homage to all things collectable with glass cases of model aircraft, tea pots, toys and ceramics. There are several pool tables at Pavilhão Chinês too, giving the bar a more informal, relaxed feel, while the tea they have on offer for non-drinkers is a lovely alternative beverage. Much like Pensão do Amor, Pavilhão Chinês doesn’t look like much from the outside, but just ring the doorbell at number 89, order a gin and tonic and feel yourself transported back in time.


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