Lisbon Nightlife
With whole areas of the city being turned over to the pursuit of pleasure, Lisbon is a city that takes its nightlife seriously.
Traditionally, the Bairro Alto has been the pulsing centre at night, with its Fado music clubs, traditional canteen-style bars and upscale discos. The bars are often open as late as 0400, and many clubs only open at 0200 and don’t shut until sunrise.
Much of the action has moved on to the Docas (Docks) district, situated just to the east of the bridge, Ponte 25 de Abril. One bar after another occupies a row of converted warehouses at the Doca de Santo Amaro.
Back towards the city, Cais do Sodré’s strip is full of African inspired clubs and busy bars. Former down at heel district Intendente is home to the hippest arty night outs, but you might need to get chatting to a local to find the hidden bars in places like old social clubs. During the summer, vibrant performances are staged in every possible venue, from parks to palaces.
The fortnightly tourist magazine Follow Me Lisboa (www.visitlisboa.com/about-turismo-de-lisboa/publications) publishes cultural listings. Event tickets are available for purchase from the Agência de Billetes para Espectáculos Públicos (ABEP); there is a kiosk in the southeast corner of Praça dos Restauradores. Ticket Line (+351 707 234 234; www.ticketline.pt) also offers tickets to many popular shows.
Bars in Lisbon
Café-Bar BA
Bucking the trend of rather boring hotel bars, the chameleon-like Café-Bar BA at the Bairro Alto Hotel is a swish spot that's popular with locals. It metamorphosises from a daytime bar into a cosmopolitan club with a changing nightly programme of DJs and bands playing jazz, bossa nova, blues and more.
Address: Bairro Alto, Praça Luís de Camões 2, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 408 288.
Website: http://www.bairroaltohotel.com
Lounge
This laid-back venue attracts a young crowd, drawn to the changing programme of musical events and reasonably priced drinks. Offering an underground mix of electro and minimal techno coupled with live bands and the odd themed party, it's got a friendly vibe and is packed at weekends.
Address: Bairro Alto, Rua da Moeda 1 , Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 973 730.
Website: http://www.loungelisboa.com.pt
Portas Largas
Hidden behind thick wooden doors, along cobbled Rua da Atalaia, is welcoming drinking mainstay Portas Largas. With its decorative tiles and vintage radios, it's a good place to start your evening, but once its scrumptious cocktails start to flow and the live bands pitch up, it's hard to drag yourself on anywhere else.
Address: , Rua da Atalaia 105, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 466 379.
Clubs in Lisbon
K Urban Beach
Overlooking the river with, an outdoor chill-out zone during the summer months, K Urban Beach is a cool retreat that's often used as the backdrop for fashion shows and VIP parties. It's worth sprucing up a bit to pass the door code, and when clubbers are feeling peckish there's an on-site sushi bar.
Address: , Rua da Cintura Santos, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 932 930.
Website: http://www.grupo-k.pt
Lux Frágil
Lux Frágil is an ultra-stylish club that regularly attracts big name electro and house DJs as well as local taste-making resident spinners. Originally a disused shipping silo, it has grown into one of the hottest clubs in Portugal with a bar, club and rooftop terrace to choose from.
Address: , Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém A, Cais da Pedra a Sta Apolónia, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 218 820 890.
Website: http://www.luxfragil.com
Silk
This exclusive nightspot has a selective door policy, so you'll need to reserve in advance to gain entry. Located in happening Chiado, with sixth floor views overlooking the Tagus River, this upmarket dinner and dancing club attracts a well-dressed clientele who like to quaff Champagne, chat and listen to house music.
Address: Chiado, Rua da Misericórdia 14, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 913 009 193.
Website: http://www.silk-club.com
Live music in Lisbon
Music Box
One of the biggest clubs in Cais do Sodré, Music Box is the headquarters for Cultural Trend Lisbon who showcase cutting edge, multi-disciplinary music and arts. The space is a hybrid of concert hall and a dance venue with a crisp sound system and an ever-exciting selection of musical greatness on each week.
Address: , Rua Nova do Carvalho 24, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 473 188.
Website: http://musicboxlisboa.com
Senhor Vinho
Fado, the haunting songs and music associated with the sea, originated in Lisbon the 19th century and its melancholic notes drift from numerous bars and casas de fado (fado clubs) throughout the city. Away from the many tourist traps, experience the real deal at Senhor Vino owned by top performer Maria da Fé
Address: Lapa, Rua do Meio a Lapa 18, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 213 972 681.
Website: http://www.srvinho.com
Village Underground
Crafted from graffiti-scrawled shipping containers that are stacked like some sort of Transformer robot, the Village Underground is a party zone that has a sister venue of the same name in London's Shoreditch. Used to host gigs, exhibitions and club nights, it's a great place to discover breaking bands.
Address: , Rue 1º de Maio 103, Lisbon,Telephone: +351 215 832 469.
Website: http://www.vulisboa.com
