Lisbon Bars, The Best of the Best in the Capital City

9 min read

Life in Portugal, Lifestyle and culture

You’ve probably heard a lot about the beautiful landscape and amazing weather in Lisbon and Portugal. In addition to this, you must not miss out on the nightlife Lisbon offers. So, in this article, we will be talking about the best Lisbon bars and watering holes in the capital city from the innovatively designed spaces to the secret ones where you’ve to ring a doorbell to get in.

Park Bar

Situated at the top of a garage in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, Park bar offers amazing views of the city especially the Ponte 25 de Abril. The ambiance is great and the music is good (usually American hip-hop). You can also get nice sandwiches here. However, it can be very crowdy at night. In all, it is a great place to unwind, relax and catch a beautiful sunset in Lisbon. I totally recommend visiting here especially during the summer. It is also a great place to connect with travelers and expats in Lisbon. Quick tip – go early if you would like to get a place to sit. It is open every day except on Mondays between 1 pm to 2 am and on Sundays between 1 pm to 8 pm.

Pensão Amor

Set in a former brothel, it is now a popular bar on the famous pink street in Lisbon. The shabby looking exterior of the building might not be charming but inside you will find a bar which offers a unique experience. The interior has a burlesque décor and is divided into three rooms with the center room being the dancefloor. Pensão Amor attracts both locals and tourists looking to have a good night out either for dancing or just catching up over drinks. The music is also good and varies depending on the theme of the night. To get in without waiting in line for too long during the weekends you should go before midnight. It is open every day from 2 pm to 4 am.

Pavilhão Chinês

This is another bar with a nice interior design and extensive cocktail list. There are also five rooms with a lot of private collection of miniature aircraft, teapots, toys and ceramics. It must be said the collection may leave you wondering if you are in a bar or museum. I say it is a bit of both. Just like Pensão Amor, the exterior of the bar doesn’t leave much to be desired but do not be deterred. It is one of the better bars in Lisbon. There are also a few pool tables here for those who fancy pool. It is open every day between 6 pm to 2 am except on Sundays when it is open from 9 pm.

Rio Maravilha

This is a cool spot in Lisbon with superb views. Rio Maravilha is a rooftop bar with eclectic artwork and amazing food and drinks. It is a great place to relax, have some cocktails, catch the sunset as well as see the Tagus River. You should also know that the prices of drinks and food here are slightly above the average. It is open every day from 12.30pm except on Monday. You can also see our article on top Lisbon terraces.

Sky Bar

Yet another rooftop bar on our list. At the sky bar, you can expect to get great views of the city and nice drinks here. If you also fancy Hookah, you can get that here too. The price for drinks is a bit on the high side but the atmosphere is very good as well as the music. I totally recommend this bar especially for sundowners looking to chill in the city center. It is one of the best Lisbon bars in the city. It is open every day between 5 pm and 1 am. You might also be interested in the best Lisbon rooftop bars.

Wine Cellar

If you are looking for impeccable wines to drink in Lisbon the wine cellar is the place to go. The ambiance is great, and the atmosphere is generally chilled. It is a great place for friends to have a relaxed drinking night out. It is open every day from 12 pm to 12 am

Cinco Lounge

This is perhaps one of the best cocktail bars in Lisbon. It’s situated in the Principe real neighborhood. It features a dark themed interior with comfortable sofas and tables. You can also enjoy great music ranging from hip hop to jazz while sipping your favorite cocktail. I totally recommend this bar for anyone who loves cocktails. It is open every day from 9 pm to 2 am

Maria Caxuxa

Located in the heart of Bairro Alto you will find Maria Caxuxa. One of the best places to get caipirinha in Lisbon. It is also a great place to get nice cocktails, relax and unwind after a long day. It is open every day from 6 pm to 2 am and closed on Sundays.

Cine Bairro

Also, in the Bairro Alto area, you can pop into the Cine Barrio bar, a movie-themed bar with an extensive variety of drinks and cocktails. It as a quirky atmosphere and it’s also cozy. The prices of the drinks here are very pocket-friendly too. It is open every day from 4 pm to midnight

A Capela

This is also located in the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Ironically, it’s situated in a place that was formerly a place of worship. At Capela, you can expect to hear electronic and techno music while enjoying some of the nicely made cocktails. There is also a small dancefloor for those who want to show their dancing skills. The drinks here are moderately priced. It is open every day from 9 am to 2 am

Topo Martim Moniz

Nicely perched at the top of the commercial center in Martim Moniz. Topo Martim Moniz offers a great view of the city and the castle as well as nice cocktails. It also has a great ambiance. You can expect to mix with both locals and expats here. It’s also a good place to watch the sunset and chill with friends. However, the prices of the drinks are somewhat expensive. It is open every day from 12:30 pm to 1 am

Ferroviário

This is a nicely decorated terrace bar with some of the best panoramic views of Lisbon. In Ferroviario, there is a good variety of drinks and cocktails and finger foods. There is also a live band from time to time as well as a house DJ. In the summer, this is one of the go-to bars in Lisbon. You should also know this place is a bit pricey. It is open every day from 6 pm and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Casa Independente

It’s a unique Lisbon bar, perhaps more than a bar, as there is an art gallery and a concert venue here. Casa Independente is situated in an entire apartment complex in the Intendente neighborhood in a nicely designed space. There are also several rooms to hang out in and a dance floor in the middle. The drinks here are moderately priced. You can also check their website to keep up with events that happen here. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 5 pm to 12 am. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

By The Wine

If you are a wine lover, By the wine is a Lisbon bar you must totally check out. The wine collection is impressive as well as the food menu. It is a cozy bar and the ambiance is superb. It is also not extremely pricey here. It is open every day from 12 pm to 12 am except on Mondays. On Mondays, it is open from 6 pm to 12 am

The Old Pharmacy Wine Inn

Yet another watering hole in the ever-buzzing Bairro Alto district of Lisbon. From the name, it is easy to tell this was once a pharmacy. These days it is a wine bar with an extensive Portuguese wine collection and lots of snacks to go with it. This is a great place for wine lovers to unwind. Highly recommended. It is open every day between 5:30 pm to 12 am See also Bairro Alto, Lisbon wildest bar district

A Ginjinha

If there is a place you want to try the famous Ginjinha liquor, A Ginjnha is the place to go. This bar has been open since the 1800s and it is one of the oldest Lisbon bars. It is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm

Matiz Pombalina

This is a great cocktail bar in Lisbon. It’s a cozy bar with a chill vibe. Matiz Pombalina is probably still a hidden gem in Lisbon. However, you should go there to enjoy some of the best cocktails crafted to your taste. The drinks are priced above average but it’s worth it. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 pm to 2 am

Foxtrot

Also, a cocktail bar. The interior has a lovely design to match the excellent drinks they offer. The drinks are a bit expensive, but they are worth the price. They also have a nice patio with a comfortable seating arrangement. There’s also a happy hour on weekdays between 6 pm to 9 pm Hours of operation – Mon to Wed & Sat 6 pm to 2 am, Thurs to Fri 6 pm to 3 am, Sun 8 pm to 2 am

Red Frog

A bar with a speakeasy feel. Red Frog offers a wide range of cocktails, although, you might have some difficulty reading the menu because of the dim lighting. However, it is a nice place to hang with friends and grab a drink. You should also know the drinks here are quite expensive. Hours of operation – Mon to Thurs 6 pm to 2 am, Fri to Sat 6 pm to 3 am, closed on Sunday.

Le Chat

This is a restaurant/bar with fantastic views of the river and the bridge. You can drop by Le Chat for a couple of drinks or for a meal. It is also somewhat a pricey place. Hours of operation – Mon to Sat 12.30pm to 12 am, Sunday 12.30pm to 12 am

Conclusion

There you have it! The top 20 Lisbon bars from the most alluring to the chic. Be sure to visit any of these to grab a drink and mix with locals and tourists alike.  

about the author
I’m a freelance writer, who’s very passionate about economics and everything that is related to business. I’m pursuing a Masters Degree in Management in Portugal, where I live. I love photography, traveling and experiencing new cultures.

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