Lisboa Bairro Alto

From tiny bars to punk clubs to posh fado restaurants, the Bairro Alto and nearby districts can’t be beat for nightlife and entertainment.

A Tasca Tequila Bar, Tr. da Queimada, 13-15 (☎919 40 79 14). A great place to go on a slow weekday night, this Mexican bar is always full. The bartenders don’t forget to have a good time themselves while serving up potent mixed drinks at the T-shaped counter. Mixed drinks €5-6. Open M-Sa 6pm-2am.
Pavilhão Chinês, Dom Pedro V, 89 (☎213 42 47 29). Ring the doorbell and a red-vested waiter ushers you into this classy establishment, where the walls and ceilings hang heavy with art pieces. You can chill at one of the leather couches, smoke a cigar, or play pool in the back room, but if you’re looking for loud music and dancing, it’s not the place for you. Mixed drinks €6. Beers €3O. Open daily M-Sa 6pm-2am, Su 9pm-2am.
Palpita-me, R. Diário de Notícias, 40-B (www.palpita-me.com). Sing out of tune to your favorite hits from the 80s and 90s at this karaoke bar smack in the center of it all. Drinks are on the cheaper side (beer €2, whiskey €4) and there is frequently live music. Order a drink, write your name and the song you’ll sing in the ballot, and get ready to shine. Go early, as you won’t be the only star. Open M-Sa 10pm-4am. Cash only.
Páginas Tantas, R. Diário de Notícias, 85 (☎213 46 54 95). This classical jazz bar provides a quiet and cool retreat from the wild street parties of Bairro Alto. A diverse group of young professionals sips on the bar’s specials during happy hour (9-11pm). Open daily 9pm-4am. AmEx/D/MC/V.
Portas Largas, R. da Atalaia, 105 (☎965 24 76 15), at the end of Tr. da Queimada. Located in the heart of Bairro Alto, the recently renovated Portas Largas is one of the district’s most popular bars. Diverse crowds keep this place full every night of the week. Open daily July-Sept. 7pm-3:30am; Oct.-June 8pm-3:30am.

South Of Bairro Alto: Avenida 24 De Julho And Santos

It is best to take a cab (€6 from Rossio) to these clubs due to their distance and the danger in walking alone at night—the E-15 line stops at 1am.

Jamaica, R. Nova do Carvalho, 6 (☎213 42 18 59). M: Cais do Sodre. This small 40-year old club is famous for playing 80s music, alternative rock, and political protest songs prohibited during the Salazar era. Packed until early morning, and a big line starts forming at 2am. Women get in free, but cover usually €6 for guys (includes 3 free beers). Open Tu-Sa midnight-6am.
Kapital, Av. 24 de Julho, 68 (☎213 95 71 01). One of the classiest clubs in Lisboa, it has a ruthless door policy that makes admission a competitive sport. Don’t expect to get in, especially if you’re an unaccompanied male or if it’s clear you’re a tourist. Panoramic view of the Rio Tejo. Drinks €5. For the best chance, go with regulars and dress nicely. Cover €10-20. Open M-Sa 11pm-6am. MC/V.
Kremlin, Escadinhasda Praia, 5 (☎213 95 71 01; www.kremlin-k.com), off Av. 24 de Julho. During the 80s, this discoteque somewhat mystifyingly claimed to be the 3rd best in the world. Run by the same management as Kapital, but has a more mixed crowd, including Kapital rejects and newcomers to Lisboa. Come nicely dressed. Rave music and ambience. Cover usually €7 for women, €12 for men. Open W-Th midnight-7am, F-Sa midnight-9am. MC/V.

West Of Bairro Alto: Docas De Santo Amaro

To get to the Docas, take the E-15 electric car from the Praça do Comércio to the Alcantara-Mar stop and then walk or take a cab from there. It’s cheap (€6) to take a cab straight from Rossio. Should you choose to walk, be forewarned that the docks can be dangerous at night and the bars are a long, uncertain walk away. The only way back is a cab, as the E-15 stops at 1am.

Dock’s Club, R. da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, 226 (☎213 95 08 56). A €4-6 cab ride from the taxi station in Bairro Alto. This huge club plays great hip hop, latino, and house music, and starts to fill up around 2am. Two bars inside and one outside if you need to cool off (or dry off). On Tu nights girls get in free with 4 free drinks (men pay €12 and get 2 free drinks). Open Tu, F-Sa midnight-5:30am. AmEx/Mc/V.
Speakeasy, Docas de Santo Amaro (☎213 90 91 66; www.speakeasy-bar.com), between the Santos and Alcântara stops, near the river. More of a concert with waiters and beer than a bar. Live rock, pop, jazz, and blues concerts almost every night. Beer €3.50. M night jazz. Open Tu-Sa 10pm-3am, restaurant 10pm-midnight. Cash only.