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Lisbon Lisbon Bars and Clubs, Nightlife

Bar-hopping in Bairro Alto and clubbing by the Tagus



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Cinco Lounge, Lisbon If it's a Friday or Saturday night (or any night in the summer), Lisbon's Bairro Alto will look like a street party from about 11PM to 2AM. You'll see people of all ages, cultures, and lifestyles mingling in the narrow lanes hopping from small bar to tiny bar. Most of the bars don't have enough sitting room, so everyone stands outside with a plastic cup filled with beer or the Brazilian-exported caipirinha.

The trendiest bar in the neighborhood is BEDROOM (Rua do Norte, 86), where you can flirt or chat in bed or couches with friends or strangers. For the best cocktails in the city, head to Cinco Lounge not too far away. Its original cocktails are created by an experienced team that's worked in renowned hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, and the ambience is relaxed.

Another favorite is Kuta, hidden in the medieval Alfama district, but well worth finding for some excellent cocktails in a quite stunning space. The exotic décor takes you to Bali, and in addition to the lounge area is space for tables where an Asian fusion menu is served to the sound of a chill-out soundtrack.

But Lisbon's most exclusive nightspot is Silk (Rua da Misericórdia 14, 6th floor), a rooftop bar in the Chiado district with a nearly 360-degree view over the city that you can admire as you enjoy a Möet&Chandon or a Grey Goose. Sit on the comfortable sofas of the outdoor terrace or inside at the bar, although considering Lisbon's year-round mild weather, everyone will choose to be outside.

Art Club, Lisbon When the bars in the area close, there is massive night-owl migration towards the river for the clubs lining Avenida 24 de Julho, a traffic-filled avenue. An old-time favorite there is the (very) underground Kremlin, which at one point was known among hardcore European clubbers for its cutting-edge house music. Next door is PLATEAU (Escadinhas da Praia, 7), known for its 80s sounds and a more sedated crowd, while around the corner is the more pretentious Art (a favorite among the young and the beautiful).

Further down the road are the Santo Amaro Docks, directly under the Golden Gate Bridge twin, 25 de Abril Bridge. Former warehouses are now cosmopolitan bars, and the clubs Buddha (not associated with the famous Paris bar) and Op Art which stay open until sunrise.

Closer to the center of the city, also on the waterfront is Kubo, the city's hottest summertime bar since 2006, although it also stayed open for a winter season in 2008. Check the website to find out if it's open when you're in the city because it's well worth it. The setting couldn't be better, with sheets of water making you feel like you're literally stepping into the Tagus. For the winter season it is covered up in glass and has a clubbier vibe, with three separate areas having different soundtracks.

Continue down the riverfront and you'll find the city's top club, Lux. Located in a white building directly across the street from Santa Apolonia train station, this club owned by Hollywood actor John Malkovich, is THE place to see and be seen. Its terrace is the perfect spot for a moonlit break from the dancing and a cocktail. Inside, the decoration is constantly changed, but is always guaranteed to be of the finest style and sophistication.

Also sophisticated but attracting a slightly more mature and upscale crowd is Twin's Lisboa. It opens mid-week as more of a relaxed lounge, while on Friday and Saturday nights it becomes a full-blown club, but always attempting to provide a glamorous night in a rather "discreet-luxurious" space.