Lisbon: New Nightlife Laws?

The Lisbon City Council has received around 150 contributions from the public after it presented proposals for measures to regulate the city’s nightlife. The proposed measures seek to balance the right to rest and night-time activities.

Lisbon undoubtedly boasts one of the trendiest nightlife scene in the European region. Districts such as Bairro Alto and Santos ‘stay awake’ all night, as party goers hop from one bar to another. 

Lisbon City Council (CML) presented three proposals to the public on this, and received around 150 contributions. The council cited that this is a notable rise in interest concerning such regulations from the locals compared to other public consultations.

According to the proposals by the CML, the new regulations include a ban on sale of alcoholic drinks from 01:00 in Bica, Cais do Sodre, Santos and Bairro Alto. There is also a creation of a time restriction zone for 11 pm on Rua de São Paulo, to affect only the establishments not in compliance with the urban requirements. Operating hours of terraces will also be differentiated from establishments treated as convenience stores.

Several concerns

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Most residents in Lisbon’s nightlife district, Bairro Alto, have raised concerns over the excessive sale of alcohol with minimal supervision. As such, problems associated with nightlife have worsened over the years, hence the need for more supervision. According to Luis Paisana, president of the Association of Residents of the Parish of Misericórdia, the ban on alcohol sale on the streets from 1:00 is ‘late’.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Lusa Agency, the president of the Portuguese Association of Restaurants, Bars and Nightlife, Ricardo Tavares, intimated that if given effect, increased layoffs in establishments should be expected.  The proposed measures have thus received mixed reactions from various stakeholders, with some expressing doubt over their effectiveness.

The city council has intimated that all contributions will be analyzed and recorded in a detailed report. These will be considered in evaluating the main concerns and what proposals to include. As to when the measures will come into force, the council has indicated that it will depend on the time needed to complete the analysis.