Lisbon's bar scene came back from the financial crisis as one of southern Europe's most exciting. Red Frog opened in 2015 and reset what the city expected from a cocktail bar; the rest of Lisbon's serious rooms followed. The 10 below pair the new wave with the old institutions — including a bar inside an old brothel and one on top of a multi-storey car park.
Part of our 50 Best Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best bars in Lisbon
01 · Lisbon
Avenida da Liberdade
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Speakeasy · Press the bell
Press the brass 'Press For Cocktails' bell next to a nondescript door. The room that redefined Lisbon's bar scene since 2015.
Order: What the bartender's pouring most often
02 · Lisbon
Bairro Alto
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On top of a car park
The legendary rooftop bar built on the top floor of a multi-storey car park in Bairro Alto. Sunset over the river. The view is the entire reason; you queue for it.
Order: A caipirinha with a view of the Tejo
03 · Lisbon
Cais do Sodré
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Old brothel · Multiple rooms
Inside a former brothel, multiple drinking rooms each with different character. Burlesque shows, library bar, café-bar — the most Lisbon room in Lisbon.
Order: A house spec from the burlesque-room bar
04 · Lisbon
Príncipe Real
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Object collection · Antique
Walls floor-to-ceiling covered in antique objects, model soldiers, glassware. Drinking inside a Wunderkammer.
Order: Port and tonic
05 · Lisbon
Príncipe Real
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Pharmacy-themed · Garden
In a former pharmacy with a garden terrace. Cocktails served in apothecary glassware. Theatrical and well-executed.
Order: A spec served in a chemist's bottle
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06 · Lisbon
Alfama
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Hotel rooftop · River view
On top of the Memmo Alfama hotel. Pool deck terrace, direct view across the rooftops to the river.
Order: A Caipirinha at the pool's edge
07 · Lisbon
Bairro Alto
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Hotel rooftop · Cocktails
Rooftop bar at the Bairro Alto Hotel. The Tagus to the south, the city to the north. One of Lisbon's most polished cocktail programs.
Order: A modernist Portuguese-spirit cocktail
08 · Lisbon
Príncipe Real
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Park kiosk · All-day
Outdoor kiosk in Príncipe Real park. Coffee in the morning, beer at lunch, cocktails after dark. The most Lisbon way to drink.
Order: A glass of vinho verde + a pastel de bacalhau
09 · Lisbon
Príncipe Real
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Lounge · Late-night
Long-running cocktail lounge in Príncipe Real. The drinks are technical without being precious; the room has aged well.
Order: A signature port-led cocktail
10 · Lisbon
Príncipe Real
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Hidden cocktail bar
Hidden cocktail bar — through an unmarked door. Hyper-local Portuguese ingredients in classical cocktail forms.
Order: Whatever uses Portuguese liqueur
More Lisbon bars by categoryCocktail, rooftop, hidden gem — the full Lisbon index.
See the full list
How to plan a Lisbon bar night
Lisbon's geography makes bar-hopping a workout — the city is built on hills. Plan one neighbourhood per evening: Bairro Alto for the late-night scene, Cais do Sodré for the cocktail bars, Príncipe Real for the elegant ones. Most cocktail rooms peak between midnight and 2 AM. The view-bars (Park, Sky Bar) are best at sunset; book ahead in summer.
