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CITY GUIDE
Before you go anywhere to enjoy the nightlife in Lisbon, a few practical pieces of advice are in order. But take notice that due to Covid-19 restrictions, some things might be different then described.
Timetable
Here in Portugal we dine late. Like most southern European countries, Portuguese won’t go to restaurants much earlier than 9pm, especially on the weekends. We need a few drinks between dinner and dancing, so bars only start to look busy around 11pm or midnight and they close around 3 or 4 am. And no Portuguese goes to a Club before 1 or 2 am, to dance until 6 am. The night is long so pace yourself drinking and make sure you get breakfast before you go to bed.
Dress code
Really depends where you go. Areas like Bairro Alto or Bica or are very casual. Cais do Sodré and Principe Real more sharp.
Entrance fee
Bars wont charge entrance fees but some clubs might. And some clubs use the Card system, where you get a card at the entrance and every drink you order is put on the card. Make sure you don’t lose it, as the maximum fee (which depends on the club) will be charged.
Lisbon’s nightlife is very complete and versatile, full of options that will make everyone happy. But the offer is so vast and varied that it can be difficult to decide where to start. So, we prepared a list thinking about different types of atmosphere and needs.
If in need of a relaxed, quiet night, we suggest Cinco Lounge, known for the cocktails; Gin Lovers – we could say something about it, but well, the name says it all; Pavilhão Chinês, undeniably a unique bar, once is decorated with antiques and oddities from the 18th to the 20th centuries and the Red Frog, a bar inspired by the dry law and the New York speakeasies. It even has a secret room.
After you try our suggestions for restaurants, and if a drink is all you need, Bar do Cais, Bar da Velha Senhora, Damas and Navega can be perfect.
If you need something more, 49ZDB is a bar in a Cultural House, so is also a meeting point for artists and there is always something happening. You can also find the same type of spirit at Casa Independente, with a bonus of a terrace to enjoy the hotter nights.
Pensão Amor, a former inn that used to take sailors and prostitutes makes this list for the decor alone, but the fact that there are performances, snacks and delicacies, salon spaces and artistic creations also helps.
O Bom, o Mau e o Vilão is a bar located in an 18th century building that keeps the appearance of an apartment, with many different rooms, all of them different and with its own purpose. Also, you can expect jam sessions, or dynamic DJ sessions, usually funk or indie.
For a more sophisticated atmosphere, try Silk Club and the Sky Bar – Tivoli Rooftop. Both with terrific views, these are two of the trendiest bars in Lisbon, with a more classy feel.
READ: To dance till the sun comes up.
On the more casual side, Lounge Lisbon is a place to chill out with some friends during the week, and becomes a bustling, crowded bar on weekends. It is especially known because of its alternative and indie sounds, and also the live concerts of all kinds of music styles and Music Box, simultaneously a bar and a club, renowned for its brilliant live music quality.
More selective (be aware of the dress code):
Incógnito, where you can count on Indie, SynthPop, New Wave, Alternative and Post-Punk music; Lux, with its white walls, red sofas, big windows and a wonderful view over the Tagus river;
Ministerium, so called because it is located in the same building that was once the Portuguese Finance Ministry and aims to be the vanguard of the electronic and techno scene, featuring many international DJs and K Urban Beach, which is a very trendy place, perfect for a fun time in a warm summer night, with sand and a location right at the riverfront, that makes this place as close to the beach as you get from the city center.
As a very gay friendly city, Lisbon has a really good selection when it comes to LGBTQIA+ nightlife.
The most popular area is Principe Real, where you find the oldest gay club in the city, Trumps. There is also Finalmente, especially known by its drag queen shows, that attract people here since the 70’s; Bar 106, that hosts theme parties for each day of the week, the most popular one being the message party, where you can send and receive messages to and from other people; TR3S, considered to be the biggest bear bar in Lisbon and Bar Cru, with theme nights, and the dress-code may vary between underwear, fetish, sportswear, topless or full naked.
If you are around Bairro Alto, Purex is a open-mind concept bar, known for its orange door. It’s in high demand and is repeatedly crowded with people dancing to electronic rhythms. The decoration is a mixture of kitsch and retro, with tables and seats imitating train carriages.
