Lisbon Travel Guide

Even though Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the atmosphere is still typically Mediterranean and going out at night is not surprising, given the Portuguese habit of enjoying being in bars at any given opportunity. The real Lisbon culture is in the streets; the people are used to going to bars, drinking and talking until late at night. But be warned: although clubs don't normally open until 11pm, it's best to arrive before midnight as entrance fees increase with the size of the crowd.

In Bairro Alto, there is a wide choice of bars and restaurants. Here, the restaurants are small and welcoming. You can dine in some good restaurants such as Bota Alta. If you want to visit a nightclub with a wide variety of music genres that you can dance the night away to, Incognito lives up to its name with its sign-less entrance. There are also happening gay clubs such as Frágil which is a fun venue for both gay and straight travelers.

In Alfama/Mouraria, the oldest area in Lisbon, you can have dinner and appreciate fado in restaurants such as Parreirinha de Alfama. Later at night, you can go to some taverns or to the rather expensive, very popular, but extremely selective club, Lux-Frágil, which is rumored to be one of the best clubs in Lisbon. But if you are looking for a larger choice of bars or nightclubs, Docas and Parque das Nações still remain the favorite haunts.

In Rato, you will find many good restaurants, including the excellent Conventual, built in an ancient convent, and the Café São Bento. After dinner, if you want to have a drink, it is better to move on somewhere else.

Docas is one of the new hot spots to enjoy the Lisbon nightlife. Full of trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs, you are really spoiled for choice. For a good night out in Docas, we either recommend Buddha, for those who enjoy Deep House music and clubs with theme nights, or the oh-so-hip, Op Art.

In the eastern part of Lisbon is the Parque das Nações, the site upon which the last world exposition of the century was held. This spacious place is now full of bars and restaurants and is the other district to visit when visitors want to paint the town red but on a more casual note than Docas. For dining, if you're ready to spend more than just a pretty penny on a meal, Senhor Peixe is a great choice to try some fine seafood and Portuguese fare. But if drinking is the main attraction when you dine, then República da Cerveja has a plethora of beers to go with your food. And after dinner, the fun can continue because bars and clubs are aplenty.

In Campo Pequeno, the restaurants are more modest but still offer quality food. Our choice would be O Funil.

Then there's Belém: with all its culture and museums, there must be something equally fabulous for nightlife entertainment. In comes the nightclub BBC, one of the hottest spots in town. Both a restaurant and a bar, BBC attracts a far wealthier and more sophisticated clientèle than some may be used to. But if one is up for a bit of the fab life, this would be a good place to visit.

In Alcântara/Avenida 24 de Julho, the atmosphere is quite lively. This area also has many bars and nightclubs. Try Blues Café, or the Speakeasy. If you are a bit peckish after leaving the nightclubs, buy a hot dog in the caravans that stand along the avenue or enjoy a hot cinammon bun.

Twenty-five kilometers from Lisbon is the Costa do Sol. Cascais, a fishing village which has many good restaurants, like Restaurante Visconde da Luz and the Cervejaria Luz Mar. In Estoril, you can dine at the Sentinela da Noite. Then, after dinner, try your luck at the Casino Estoril. In the summer, you can have a drink in the bars close to the beach. There is also Nuts Club, the most frequented nightclub in Cascais. In Guincho, 5 km from Cascais, you can dine in some luxury restaurants like Portal da Guia or the Fortaleza do Guincho. Most bars are located near the beach and have terraces, like the Bar do Guincho.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 213