14 Unmissable Things To Do In Lisbon At Night
Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, Lisbon is the capital as well as the largest city in Portugal with a population of about 550 thousand. From the impressive St. Jorge Castle to the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge, this stunning city is breathtaking during the day.
But during the night, the city comes alive in a different way. Some of the best things to do in Lisbon at night include the cool pubs and local Lisbon bars with live music as well as visiting the vibrant Lisbon clubs along Pink Street.
The rooftop bars are some of the most popular places to go in this vibrant city while you are visiting Lisbon so don't forget to stop by one of the many in Bairro Alto for a few drinks with friends. It is not hard to find a rooftop bar in Lisbon. Just look up and follow the music and laughter.
Some other unmissable things to do in Lisbon at night include taking a night tour of the red light district where Lisbon nightlife is really hopping or visiting a fado restaurant where you can catch live music. You can find fado singers all over Lisbon at night. A pub crawl is always a fun way to get free drinks and enjoy the excellent nightlife.
There is no shortage of things to do in Lisbon at night. You can find a bit of everything from electro to salsa and all the others in between. American actor John Malkovich even has a club in Lisbon called Lux Fragil that boasts a rooftop bar and exciting DJ sets into the wee hours. Before settling on a few things to do, drop your belongings at one of our secure Lisbon luggage storage locations. See the city hands-free and don't worry about leaving a bag behind at one of your stops.
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Local Lisbon Bars
Red Frog
This award-winning speakeasy is on the list of the World's 50 Best Bars so you do not want to miss this one. Although, you may want to get there early because it gets packed pretty quickly no matter what night of the week it is. You cannot just walk in either. You have to ring the doorbell and wait to be escorted to a table amid all of the lights and music.
You can get a typical drink like a highball or whiskey sour here but you should try one of the interesting and unique cocktails. The Mediterrânico with eucalyptus and sea fennel is crisp and tangy while the Banana Bonanza has gin, bitters, coconut butter, banana, and a fig leaf on top. Or you can try the Monkey Shoulders whiskey with charcoal and kiwi.
Foxtrot
This hidden gem may look small and unimpressive from the outside but when you step through the door, you will be glad you took the chance. This is one of the best-kept secrets in Lisbon featuring flavored gins, an extensive wine cellar, kitchen service until the wee hours of the morning, and a fireplace for chilly nights.
Some of their popular cocktails include Good Night Nurse, Sorry, It's Not Tea, St. Basil the Great, Smoked Negroni, and the Wild Bikini. The vibe is electric and exciting and you will always enjoy some kind of live performance whether it is Jazz or 80s Night.
Damas
Once you realize that Damas used to be a bakery, you will understand the decor of the metal counters where they used to knead the dough. Whether you come for lunch, dinner, or drinks, you will likely be treated to some kind of music be it live or stereo.
The dinner food varies since the menu is written on a large whiteboard with a marker daily. You will undoubtedly find something to your liking though, like fried octopus, fish sliders, and even a variety of steaks. The casual atmosphere and lively vibe are perfect for locals and visitors.
Music Box
MusicBox is one of the most popular clubs in Lisbon, located on the Cais do Sodré. It is not just any old bar. It is also a concert hall with a diverse range of music from electro to pop music. The place boasts local and international artists from around the world so you get a little bit of everything.
It is a great introduction to the diverse Portuguese music scene. If you are looking for a fun place to have a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine and dance to lively music without breaking the bank, this is the place to come to in Lisbon. For the scoop on seeing the sights on a budget, read our guide on free things to do in Lisbon.
Casa Independente
Casa Independente provides an eclectic collection of rooms for individual lifestyles and moods such as The Tiger Room where you can watch live acts and local artists or DJs spinning the top hits. You can also choose to go out on the terrace for a relaxing meal while you are there.
You will find a huge selection of cocktails, juices, teas, and soft drinks as well as some sensational tapas to enjoy until midnight. This club in the Mouraria neighborhood is a popular choice for locals as well as tourists so you will always find a pretty large group of people there.
Tours
Climb to the Dome of the Pant
The Lisbon nightlife makes it the perfect atmosphere for a night tour. Take a trip to the top of the pantheon, which is also known as the Church of Santa Engrácia. It is a monument from the 1600s that was originally a church. Now it is the resting place of important Portuguese people who were buried there many years ago.
The entrance to the pant is geometric marble flooring with gold detailing and giant slabs of ancient stone. From the top, you get a spectacular view of Lisbon at night from one of the highest spots in the city. You get the best view of the 16th-century area as well as the skyline, which is splendid at night. Up above, the city appears to glow with the warm twinkling lights under the stars.
Pink Street
Pink Street really is a street that is painted pink and it is one of the most popular spots for nightlife in Lisbon. Take one of the guided tours led by locals to get a lesson on Portuguese culture as well as the history of Lisbon. Find out about Pensao Amor, which used to be a brothel. Now it is host to burlesque, jazz, and DJ with a red velvet decor and lively characters.
Enjoy your own bar crawl and have a few drinks without the need of a tour guide on Pink Street, located in Cais do Sodre. This popular street is full of people all day shopping, dining in the evening, and partying at night. You will see locals as well as tourists of all nationalities, cultures, and ages. Many of the clubs are open until 3:00 AM so you may want to take a nap first.
The Pub Crawl
Try a pub crawl with the locals where you get to explore three different pubs and one nightclub to get a taste of the Lisbon nightlife. You will get several free drinks and discounted drinks as well as tapas to munch on. Dance, mingle, and meet other locals to learn more about the Lisbon culture.
Enjoy shots, cocktails, beer, and sangria all night long along the narrow streets of Bairro Alto and the neighborhoods nearby. Between Chiado and Bairro Alto, you can find more than 200 pubs and bars, although you obviously won't be able to hit all of them. But there is always tomorrow.
Fado Live Music
A Severa
Enjoy the fado experience where live performances are a nightly occurrence. This well-known restaurant has been serving Portuguese diners since 1955. But this place has more than just fantastic food. You can also enjoy live fado music while you indulge in dishes like bacalhau assado (salted cod) and lamb chops.
The special atmosphere and friendly staff make you want to stay all night and they will let you do just that. All while sipping Portuguese wine and cocktails and listening to the soulful songs of the fado singers. Be sure to bring your phone to take pics during the fado show to share on Instagram too. The next day, you can always sleep late and then seek out a terrific Lisbon brunch spot.
Fama d'Alfama
In the heart of Alfama, the Fama d'Alfama is a spectacular spot to grab dinner and a show. A fado show, that is. Even those who did not know there were live performances come for the delicious food and stay for the entertainment. Every night there is a different show, so you can go several times while you are in town and never get bored.
The menu boasts a variety of food from fried cod to baked octopus. But it is not all seafood. They also have excellent steaks and burgers. The sirloin steak with grilled rice is tasty and the grilled sausage with onions is spectacular. Do not miss the chocolate mousse for dessert.
O Faia
Since 1947, O Faia has been delighting the people of Lisbon with fado music, sensational food, and friendly but professional staff. Big names in fado perform every night with a few of the up-and-coming locals as well so you will enjoy a variety of styles of singing and guitar. Some of the names include Ada de Castro, Vasco Rafael, and Ricardo Ribeiro.
You will love the decor with linen tablecloths, vintage guitars on the walls, and brick walls for a homey atmosphere. Traditional Portuguese meals are served as you enjoy the soulful music and guitar. interrupted by interludes of singing by a solo voice accompanied by Portuguese guitarra. Try the favorite dish of roasted leg of baby lamb with baked or grilled potatoes, and sautéed spinach.
Other Lisbon Nightlife
Try Your Luck at the Casino
Lisbon Casino is a stylish and modern complex in Park da Nacoes with more than a thousand slot machines, blackjack, poker, and roulette to name a few. Try your luck at the slots or indulge in a succulent meal at Beltejo or Hua Tali. They both offer your choice of a starter or soup, some type of meat or fish, a dessert, and drinks.
The Oceans Auditorium hosts off-Broadway shows with international and national productions like Tango Forever, Stomp, and The Crooked Piece. The Arena Lounge boasts a stage that rotates with a variety of different shows and performances. It is not all about gambling. You can enjoy dining, dancing, and drinking at Lisbon Casino.
Bairro Alto: Take the Elevador da Gloria for a Ride
Bairro Alto is one of the most beautiful places in the world having the best nightlife in the city center of Lisbon. The best spot to see all this beauty is the Elevador da Gloria, also known as the Gloria Funicular, which is a mountain railroad that takes you up the hill from Pombaline. The tram has been transporting the people of Lisbon since 1885.
When it originated, it was run by water power before it was replaced by steam in 1886. In 1915, the line was switched to electric, which it remains so now. This is one of the best ways to enjoy some of the street art in Lisbon, which is stunning along these lines. After enjoying some drinks and dinner up top, you can walk down or take the funicular.
Brush Up on Your Art Knowledge at the Night Museums
The Bernardo Collection is the top modern art museum in Portugal with two permanent collections to explore. From abstract to surrealism, you will find work from artists like Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali to name a few.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art is another spot you can visit at night. This gallery boasts works dating back to 1850 including naturalism, romanticism, and modern art. Last but definitely not least is the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT). Along the banks of the river, you can find an array of exhibits here.
Lisbon Nightlife
Lisbon at night is certainly different than during daylight hours and if you are into cool clubs and the best bars or night tours of museums, you will love the Lisbon nightlife. Whether you go to Bairro Alto or one of the other neighborhoods in Lisbon, you will find that Lisbon's nightlife is just as fun on Friday nights as it is on Monday nights.
Taking a pub crawl, bar crawl, or night tour is fun and one of the best ways to check out the local culture. The Portuguese capital is incredibly popular with the younger crowd as well as the older folks so get out and enjoy some of these hidden gems!
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