Top 5 Bars of Bairro Alto


 

It won’t take long after arriving in Lisbon to decipher what each neighborhood is famous for.

You’ve got the shopping district in Chiado, the historic streets of Alfama, and just a short walk away the party district on Bairro Alto .

Please don’t get me wrong; Bairro Alto has a lot more to offer than just nightlife. The streets are ancient and beautiful to walk during the day. And there are as many restaurants to dine in as there are bars in which to drink.

Bairro Alto – by Manuel Menal – Wikimedia Commons

After 10pm, however, Bairro Alto is undoubtably the most festive area in the city, with excited travelers and locals stumbling between the alleys looking for the next drink, dance and hookup.

Some of Bairro Alto’s bars are utter gems, and others are divey hell holes — for lack of a better phrase. I’d be happy to lead you to the good ones…

1. Páginas Tantas in Bairro Alto

If you’re not looking to get blackout drunk on 1 tequila, Páginas Tantas is likely for you.

It’s a warm and intimate setting where the bar focused on good drinks, great conversation and live jazz music every day of the week. Most people find Páginas Tantas by accident as they are roaming though the streets letting the sounds coming from each bar lead their way.

The bar is rarely full during the week; on weekends come slightly earlier if you want somewhere to sit. They do excellent wines and cocktails — cash only!

Páginas Tantas in Bairro Alto – by Páginas Tantas – Sourced from their Facebook

Like most bars in Bairro Alto, smoking is allowed inside. It may be unappealing but you’re going to encounter it literally everywhere in this neighborhood so either embrace it or stay home I’m afraid.

Páginas Tantas is Bairro Alto’s stuck in the 70s bar, it’s wonderful.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:30pm to 2am
ADDRESS: R. do Diário de Notícias 85, 1200-334 Lisboa, Portugal
METRO STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

2. Groove Bar in Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is a tiny neighborhood comprised of a tight knit collation of streets and alleyways. One can walk the circumference of the neighborhood in under seven minutes, so bare in mind that all the bars in the area can be accessed by foot in around the same time or less.

Groove Bar is a short walk from Páginas Tantas. The vibe is vastly different, however, and far more upbeat than its jazz counterpart.

Groove Bar in Bairro Alto – by Groove Bar – Uploaded by them

Groove Bar plays throwback music from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. The interior is neon and inspired by comic books, and after 10pm this is not somewhere you can sit expecting to hold a conversation.

At Groove Bar you’ll be able to get a pint of beer for €3 and a fresh caipirinha for just €5. Avoid the €1.50 shots, it’s not worth the pain.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7pm to 2am
ADDRESS: R. da Rosa 148, 1200-211 Lisboa, Portugal
METRO STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

3. Majong in Bairro Alto

There is a distinct division between the Bairro Alto hospitality scenes in terms of restaurants operating very separately from the bars. They are even geographically separated, with most of the restaurants operating from the outskirts of the neighborhood and the bars taking over the inner regions and foot paths.

Majong is situated more so in the restaurant’s territory, which is likely why it is so much more calm and laid-back compared to the rest of the craziness.

Bairro Alto nightlife – by Aapo Haapanen – Wikimedia Commons

This bohemian style bar is the favorite in the district for cocktail lovers. It’s the perfect spot to start your night, as you can easily stroll to the wilder bars once you have a mojito or two down your throat.

It is slightly pricer that other spots in Bairro Alto, but this keeps the clientele in the mature age bracket. You’ll see what I mean if you explore the rest of the bars afterwards.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6pm to 2am
ADDRESS: 1200 106, R. da Atalaia 3, Portugal
METRO STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

4. Maria Caxuxa in Bairro Alto

Lisbon is a walking city, even with the many hills and inclined streets. A free guided walking tour through its most historic districts will prove so.

Walking through Bairro Alto, you’ll realize that Lisbon is a party city as well. The people love to drink, dance and sing (yes, there are karaoke bars not far away as well).

Maria Caxuxa in Bairro Alto – by Maria Caxuxa – Uploaded by them

Maria Caxuxa is a great bar in Bairro Alto in which to do all three. The drinks are great and reasonably priced, the music is actually really good and offers all the classic sing-a-long tracks from yesteryear to get you chanting along while you dance.

The atmosphere is very relaxed as is the interior decor; mostly vintage or revived furniture collected over time. They are one of the few bars in Bairro Alto that don’t open on Sundays — take note!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 6pm to 2am
ADDRESS: R. da Barroca 6-12, 1200-050 Lisboa, Portugal
METRO STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

5. The Old Pharmacy in Bairro Alto

It wouldn’t be Lisbon without the districts very own wine bar!

The Old Pharmacy is a favorite for the more mature Lisbon traveler; one not looking to queue in a dark pub for fifteen minutes just to get an on-tap beer.

The Old Pharmacy in Bairro Alto – by The Old Pharmacy – Sourced from their Facebook

The Old Pharmacy is a Portuguese wine appreciation experience, one in which you can taste and enjoy wines from all over the country throughout the years.

You’ll drink over snack platters and soft melodic music. It’s a very different drinking experience to the bars next-door, but a worthwhile one for any lovers of wines, specifically port.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5:30pm to 12am
ADDRESS: 83, R. do Diário de Notícias 73, Portugal
METRO STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.