Must-see nightlife in Portugal

  • Musicbox

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Under the brick arches on lies one of Lisbon’s hottest clubs. The pulsating Musicbox hosts loud and sweaty club nights, with music shifting from electro…

  • Agua Salgada

    Sagres

    One of Sagres' liveliest bars, sky-lit Agua Salgada has a party vibe thanks to DJs and occasional live gigs. Fresh fruit forms the basis of its extensive…

  • Discoteca Jamaica

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Gay and straight, black and white, young and old – everyone has a soft spot for this offbeat club. It gets going at around 2am on weekends with DJs…

  • O Herédia

    Madeira

    Slightly away from the tourists, this tiny cafe spreads tables across sunny Largo dos Herédias near Ribeira Brava's Ethnographical Museum. Serves coffees,…

  • Trumps

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Trumps is still one of Lisbon’s best-known gay clubs, with cruisy corners, a sizeable dance floor and events from live music to drag. It features national…

  • Casa do Livro

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Vintage wallpaper, gilded mirrors and walls of books give a discreet charm to this nicely lit beer and wine bar. On weekends, DJs spin funk, soul, jazz…

  • Finalmente

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Doing drag in Lisbon since 1976, this popular club has a tiny dance floor, famous nightly drag shows hosted by the talented Debora Kristal (starting…

  • Bar 38° 41’

    Belém

    Watch boats bob on the water over coffee or cocktails (€8 to €10) at this stylish, dressed-in-black dockside lounge bar. Guest DJs liven things up…

  • AAC Bar

    Coimbra

    Join the black-caped students at their union bar, where beers are cheap and everyone is welcome. The esplanade out back, with wood decking and a grassy…

  • Praça Velha

    The Beiras

    Hidden away in a tiny corner behind Praça Luís de Camões, this laid-back little bar is a fine spot for an evening drink, perhaps at one of the tables…

  • Livraria da Baixa

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Part 1920s bookshop, part cafe-bar, this old-school charmer spills out onto the cobbled pavement – a terrific spot for people-watching and eavesdropping…

  • Café da Sé

    Viana do Castelo

    Tucked below Viana's cathedral, this favourite nightspot draws a local crowd for caipirinhas, glasses of wine and nibbles of local charcuterie and cheeses…

  • Lés-a-Lés

    The Minho

    This whimsical, travel-themed cafe-bar, with globally inspired finger food and an airport-style Arrivals board for its international mixed drinks, makes a…

  • WoofLX

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Príncipe Real's hopping bear-ish gay bar (though it attracts all shapes and sizes), it's part of the Woof empire that now includes the naughtier, more…

  • Culpa Tua

    Évora

    Gin lovers from near and far gather over refreshing, goblet-sized gin and tonics at this friendly, easy-going spot north of Praça Giraldo. There's a small…

  • Covilhã Jardim Café-Bar

    Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

    With comfy couches inside and tree-shaded tables on its parkside terrace, this lively cafe is an enjoyable place to kick back over a cool beer and watch…

  • The Irish Bar

    Viseu

    One of several bars near the cathedral, this classic pub offers Guinness on tap, occasional live music and terrace seating on a charming square near the…

  • Café Suave

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    A laid-back spot that attracts a mix of foreigners and locals, with decent DJ grooves on weekends. It's a good place to start the night. Cocktails cost €5…

  • Inside Out

    Lagos

    This late opener has good DJs and a lively atmosphere, fuelled by enormous fishbowl cocktails; you'll often see people (or find yourself) dancing on the…

  • Grand Café

    Lagos

    This classy place has three bars, nightly DJs and lots of gold leaf, kitsch, red velvet and cherubs. Given its central location, it's a popular spot to…

  • Red Eye Bar

    Lagos

    This straight-up rock 'n' surf bar makes a top spot to kick off the night (happy hour runs from 8pm to 10pm), with a pool table, darts and fun-loving…

  • Café A Brasileira

    Braga

    A Braga classic, this 19th-century cafe is a converging point for old and new generations. Try the café de saco (a small shot of filtered coffee).

  • Liquid

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Get juiced at this hole-in-the-wall Portuguese chain, with fresh-pressed juices (€1.70 to €5.30; including detox, wheatgrass and matcha) and smoothies.

  • Sixties Irish Pub

    The Beiras

    Tucked into a classic pub-crawler’s alley a block back from the beachfront, this snug, woody pub has Guinness on tap and an inviting lively atmosphere.

  • Zoom

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Located in an old warehouse, this is the gay dance hall of the moment, with some of the best electronic dance music in town and an often mixed crowd.

  • Bar TR3S

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Gay revellers (real men and bears, according to the lingo) descend on the outdoor seating at happy hour at one of Príncipe Real's best gay bars.

  • Chusso Bar

    The Minho

    Beloved for its prime people-watching terrace, perched above bustling Rua Formosa, this former umbrella factory also hosts occasional live music.

  • Geira Adega Regional

    Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

    Overhung with vines, this charming wine bar in the stone-walled heart of Campo do Gerês village is a pleasant place to sip a glass or two.

  • Casa de Chá

    Funchal

    The tea garden in the grounds of the Universo de Memórias João Carlos Abreu is a tranquil place to relax over a cuppa between museums.

  • Posh

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This gay disco opened in 2018, and features drag, electronic music, national and international stars, and a whole lot of hot people.

  • Ouriço

    Ericeira

    One of Portugal’s oldest discos, catering to night owls of all ages, with a mix of pop, dance, oldies and dance-floor standards.

  • Jukebox

    Ericeira

    This laid-back little spot blasts '80s alternative music (with occasional live music). It is known for mixing a decent cocktail.

  • Barhaus

    Braga

    This popular spot with two indoor bars and a huge open-air patio draws a crowd with posh pretensions for DJs and live shows.

  • Purex

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This unsigned Bairro Alto spot draws a lesbian and mixed crowd, with DJ nights and a small dance floor. No cover charge.

  • Poncha's Madeira

    Guimarães

    This stone-walled bar with a small back garden makes an appealing stop for late-night cocktails.

  • Construction

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Construction is one of Lisbon's hottest gay clubs, with pumping house music and a dark room.

  • TOPO Chiado Full View

    TOPO Chiado

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This open-air bar and restaurant is the second TOPO location and has transformed the back of the Convento do Carmo ruins into a surprising lounge space…

  • Bookstore-bar Menina e Moça at Cais do Sodré

    Menina e Moça

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Born from the owner's love for books and literature, the theme of this bookstore and bar revolves around Portuguese-speaking authors, from the books on…

  • Rota do Cha exterior

    Rota do Chá

    Miragaia

    Skip the food and go for speciality teas at this bohemian cafe, with a verdant but rustic back garden where students and the gallery crowd sit around low…

  • The atmosphere is laid-back in this river-facing combination of bar, restaurant, and club, ideal for a cocktail or a casual meal by the Tejo

    Lisboa Rio Restaurante & Club

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    The atmosphere is laid-back in this river-facing combination of bar, restaurant and club. This place is ideal for a cocktail or a casual meal by the Rio…

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