Lisbon has a vibrant nightlife, spilling out into the cobbled streets of Chiado, watching the dawn rise over the Tagus River and serenading the stars from rooftop bars in the fragrant, warm night air. There are meeting points for young people and clubs for locals; old favorites like O Pavilhão Chinês and newcomers like Praia no Parque, where dinner moves seamlessly from cocktails to dancing. But wherever you are, Lisbon’s dark, narrow streets, glittering river and moonlit domed skyline have a magical, enigmatic quality that gives the nighttime city a character all its own.
Below our expert shares her tips for the city’s best bars, while here you can find the rest of our Lisbon guides, including the city’s best hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions and how to spend a weekend in Lisbon.
Chiado
Entretanto
In a city of rooftop bars, this one claims the best spot for its views of the Lisbon skyline. It is located on the seventh floor of Hotel do Chiado, high above the city rooftops and overlooking the cobbled streets of Chiado, with the Tagus River gliding slowly past in the distance. This hotel was restored several years ago by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Siza Vieira, and the new bar has since become a favorite of locals. Try the Pink Affair cocktail – an exciting blend of red fruit juice, prosecco and Cointreau, Lisbon’s answer to Venice’s Bellini.
Contact: hoteldochiado.pt
Nearest metro: Baixa-Chiado
Prices: ££
Getting in: Reservations recommended
Because of the wine
Here visitors have the chance to try more than 50 wines (by the glass or bottle) from the cellar of leading winegrower José Maria da Fonseca, in an attractive vaulted space in the center of Lisbon. The wines include an excellent selection of Portuguese cheeses, such as strong, creamy Azeitão, ham from acorn-fed pigs, and bread and oysters from the southern reaches of the country. Then there’s the company’s acclaimed sweet wine, Moscatel de Setúbal, accompanied by a range of cakes and puddings, making this an ideal place to discover the flavors of Portugal.
Contact: bythewine.pt
Nearest metro: Baixa-Chiado
Prices: ££
Getting in: Reservations recommended
Avenida da Liberdade
Skybar Tivoli Liberdade
This hotel sky bar offers unmissable, far-reaching views over the city and the Tagus River beyond. Sleek and chic, there is a lively atmosphere and excellent cocktails, from Pepperlines (gin, lime juice, egg white, sugar, pineapple and chilli) to the classic Aperol Spritz. There is live music every evening thanks to the resident DJ, with regular guest appearances and other events throughout the summer. The light dishes are delicious, especially the Sky Sushi with its avocado, shrimp and cucumber rolls, and also try the white fish ceviche with lime and ginger.
Contact: tivolihotels.com
Nearest metro: Avenida
Prices: ££
Getting in: Reservations recommended (necessary for large groups)
Praia no Parque
This is Lisbon’s current hotspot, a beach-themed bar with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake in Eduardo VII Park, hence the name ‘beach in the park’. The vibrant interiors of the previously abandoned 1950s building are green and gold in velvet and marble and tempt with cocktails ranging from Wasabi Kick (Grey Goose vodka, wasabi and lime) to Manjerico no Parque (gin, basil, ginger and egg white) while A food menu (with an emphasis on steak) is also served. . On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, a DJ plays pop and house music and some 80s classics until the early hours.
Contact: apraia.pt
Nearest metro: Avenida
Prices: ££
Getting in: Reservations recommended
Red Frog
Inspired by the secret bars of Prohibition-era America, this is Lisbon’s version of a speakeasy, found in the basement behind a locked door and accessed via a bell that says ‘press for cocktails’. You can recognize the entrance by the gigantic model of a red frog on the wall. Inside, the atmosphere harkens back to the 1920s with elegant and comfortable chairs in deco style and music ranging from jazz and swing to soul. The extensive cocktail menu, compiled by acclaimed mixologist Marian Beke, changes regularly. For private parties, a private room is available, accessed via a wall that moves when pressed.
Contact: redfrog.pt
Nearest metro: Avenida
Prices: ££
Principle Real
The Chinese Pavilion (O Pavilhão Chinês)
The five rooms that make up this extraordinary bar, formerly an early 20th century grocery store, are filled with thousands of memorabilia: there are military medals, works of art, uniforms, miniature dolls and toy trains. Located in the ultra-fashionable Príncipe Real district, this has become a cult bar for Lisbon residents, with a menu of over 100 cocktails to choose from; a favorite, named after the bar, is made with rum, blue curaçao, lemon and pineapple juice. A pool table is another plus. After 9 p.m. the door is closed and you must ring the bell to enter.
Contact: 00 351 21 342 4729
Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 6pm-2am; Sun, 9pm – 2am
Nearest metro: Rato
Prices: £
Foxtrot
Foxtrot is a much-loved bar, somewhat similar in concept to an English pub, and traverses the seasons with cozy art deco interiors, complete with fireplaces for winter and a garden for warm summer evenings. Serving cocktails from classic whiskey sours to smoked negronis or spiced margaritas, the Foxtrot steak, with a side of fries, is also not to be missed. A favorite for many for its snooker and billiards.
Contact: barfoxtrot.pt
Nearest metro: Rato
Prices: £
Alphama
Memo Alfama
When Lisbon’s famous light is at its most magical and you want to soak it all up, away from the crowds, with a glass of delicious Portuguese rosé, head to this lovely rooftop bar in Memmo Alfama, buried in a narrow, cobbled street in the old Moorish quarter of the city. The hotel terrace is a pleasure all year round; in winter, an inviting fire pit lets you sit outside under the inevitable blue sky with a plate of local smoked ham with your wine, while in summer you can dangle your toes in Lisbon’s chicest pool.
Contact: memmohotels.com
Nearest metro: Rossio
Prices: £
Getting in: Reservations recommended in summer
Lux
Partly owned by John Malkovich, this undisputed king of Lisbon’s nightclubs is housed in a huge warehouse on the banks of the Tagus River. Impressive interiors are illuminated by spotlights and oversized glitter balls, while the music comes from the city’s best DJs, not to mention the international artists who perform regularly. In total, it attracts an international audience. Theme parties are often held there, you can head to the adjacent Lux restaurant Bica do Sapato to start the evening, and the club’s rooftop terrace overlooking the river is often touted as the best place in town to see the sun come up.
Contact: luxfragil.com
Prices: ££
Getting in: Free or for a fee, depending on how busy it is inside; expect long queues
