Fun and entertainment Portugal

Created in 1998 to bring Portugal and Latin American countries closer together, in its yellow house, below the Museum of Ancient Art, it hosts many activities and initiatives, in collaboration with the various diplomatic and consular missions and the assistance of associates and partners. Its agenda is very varied: shows (music, theatre, dance...), artistic exhibitions, conferences, book presentations, documentaries or film screenings. Note that most of the events are more for Portuguese-speakers.

For lovers of dark music, Gothic or metal (all dark, heavy or speed trends), cross the Tagus River by ferry to Cacilhas is advised to discover on the docks close to the pier this bar for fanatics, changing name (ex-Man's Ruin Bar or Culto Bar), and ensuring a very high level of music programming and transpiration rates.

In a little hidden street next to the Toca do Javali restaurant, this old-fashioned tearoom is well known for the quality of its products and the friendliness of its all-female staff, whether for breakfast, lunch or a light snack. As well as offering a good range of pastries, sandwiches and snacks, it's a great place to have lunch, either in a welcoming dining room or on a pleasant terrace, with a successful octopus salad preceding a delicious cooked codfish. Very popular on weekends.

The only alternative place to go out in Faro, created in... 1906. Located in an old building, there is no indication that an association bar is there when you get to No. 10 of the street. Only those who know come. Go up the stairs and you arrive in a large room where dance classes (salsa, tango...) are often held. Another staircase then goes down into a large courtyard where the bar is located. Drinks are really cheap, the young locals like to come here to chat. Good atmosphere with DJ parties on weekends.

The Casa da Mariquinhas is one of the oldest fado houses in the city, which has seen the biggest names of the genre. Born in 1968, it reopened in 2011. You will find it in front of the Arco de Santana, at the foot of the cathedral. Fado singers declaim their lyrics accompanied by a group of musicians, without a microphone, in an intimate setting that transports us. It's nice to have a drink there, and to eat some good food as well. You will spend a beautiful evening, accompanied by all the charm of the Portuguese tradition.

A small kiosk like you like with a nice terrace on the edge of the Guadiana. Perfect for your coffee in the morning, enjoying the soothing calm of the river.

This small café, barely set back from the Ribeira, lives up to its name(escondido means hidden) and in summer welcomes the many onlookers who fight over tables and chairs. In low season, it becomes a haven of peace for the Portuguese and the rare tourists who snub the restaurants of the quay. The cuisine is of course typical, with francesinha and cod at the top of the menu. Broadcasting of League 1 matches (obviously when it does not fall at the same time as a match of FC Porto or Boavista FC, the two clubs of the city). Recommended for a tight budget.

There's no need to go here before midnight if you're looking to meet the local party-goers and tourists since the party really starts at this time of the night. A DJ heats up the dance floor, while the two bars are busy preparing shots and cocktails. The latter are both classic and original with or without alcohol. This bar, like many others in this animated district, is more a place of passage for the night owls than a final point of fall. Good atmosphere, nice team.

Located at the entrance of the "thirsty streets" of Porto, this small bar, with a heated terrace in winter, is a perfect stopover at the beginning or during the evening to accompany the arrival of the new revelers and the departure of the less daring. The decoration is surprising, with wood panelling, lace lingerie in the window and an impressive collection of books in all languages. The list of cocktails and tapas is as long as the arm. A little advice: a bruschetta with raw ham, pear and honey accompanied by a generous glass of white sangria.

La Fabrica Nortada is a bar-snack in the era of time. We come there to eat at lunchtime, to have a drink (the craft beers are excellent), to eat a sweet treat in the middle of the afternoon. On the menu: salads, cheese tabbouleh, calamari, chicken, bruschetta, wraps, fries, francesinhas, spaghetti, salmon, tiramisu and chocolate mousse. Vegetarian versions are available. Smiling service. Go down to the basement to discover the brewing room with the machines, it is impressive!

A nice café near the public garden. This bar is very pleasant to have a drink and to discuss in all peace because there is a small outside garden. You can eat some good food all day long, mainly cooked with Portuguese products. Vegetarian options are even available. As for the decoration, the inspiration and the construction were made with recuperation, with a modern touch. On weekends, the place hosts conferences, concerts and discussions of all kinds.

Literally, this expression means "a little old lady who likes to move and dance"! So here is a multifunctional space between the rua Madalena and the Sé cathedral where you can enjoy some petiscos, a chorizo assado or a cheese plate. The house also offers craft beers. On weekends, you can choose between concerts, photo and painting exhibitions on the wall, or simply come and read. In the large vaulted room, a retro atmosphere and to discover: toilets with their unique decoration!

In the charming garden of the Campo de Santa Clara, with a view of the pantheon and the river, here is a kiosk where you can come for a small coffee, a croissant with nutella or one of their very good tosta mista (toasted sandwiches with cheese and ham). We recommend the Clara tosta, which consists of goat cheese, raw ham and fresh tomatoes, a sandwich that tastes great! On the terrace, we find the inhabitants of the district and the flea hunters, all generations combined, for a small moment of relaxation in the shade of the trees.

An almost secret place, held by a collective of artists, cultural association wishing to promote: teatro, música, cinema. Inside, a few stools and chairs to have a drink while listening to musicians, a program, notably, eclectic music ranging from Brazilian music (samba) to electro jazz. Intimate and bohemian atmosphere, on monday the entrance is free, music lovers and small compositions will be delighted.

"Art and music with tiger's milk for the soul" is what it says about this multi-faceted venue. This former regional house has been taken over and transformed into a bar. There are several areas: a large room for listening to concerts and DJ sets, a smaller, more intimate lounge for sharing a drink and catching up on old times, a patio for taking a breather, and a corner for enjoying some of their delicious tartines. Please note: at the time of writing, the establishment is threatened with closure, but there's no date yet.

A theatre that concentrates its programming on contemporary creation, with dance, theatre and music shows..... Since 2006, the Maria Matos Theatre has been a municipal space, which defends contemporary performance, artists and companies that do not have a place of residence, after major renovations. Inside you can enjoy a coffee, a lounge area on the first floor with bay windows, a pleasant place to philosophize and debate after a show. A program that gives an idea of contemporary Portuguese creation.

In the heart of the beautiful park of Principe Real, you will be able to see this pretty veranda in the shade of majestic trees. This place invites you to take the time to take a break over a gourmet coffee, lunch or even, in the evening, over a drink. In the shop window near the bar you can choose the cake you want to eat (we recommend pão de ló). On the menu, there are also very good hamburgers with homemade potatoes and an excellent mayonnaise to accompany them. Otherwise, salads and sandwiches on the go for a quick snack.

Here, regulars come to eat petiscos, which they happily share in the middle of the table. Grilled chorizo, octopus salad, chickpea and cod salad, you name it. Tuesdays are for poetry! Wednesday evenings and Sundays, ao vivo music, to the tunes of fado, Brazilian classics or jazz. The night goes on into the wee hours, and it's time to leave... A must-see in the Alfama district, and a must-visit for your own pleasure.

A club well known by the Lisboetes who regularly organizes theme evenings. On weekends, it is one of the clubs where you can meet to finish the night, during the week you can listen to jazz with jam sessions but also dance the forro to experience a typical Brazilian dance... Located on the banks of the Tagus, it is very pleasant to be able to cool down on the quays between two dances (be careful not to fall into the water). Thanks to its eclectic programming, this club attracts all types of customers. Everyone is therefore welcome to attend.

It may be the black sheep of the city but we love it. It opened at the time when wine bars were slowly appearing in the city of Lisbon. When the evening comes, you'll see the praça das Flores come alive in front of Black Sheep's entrance. Indeed, the bar is very small inside and that's how it became known in the beginning: the smallest wine bar in Lisbon. Come and discover the wines of Portugal thanks to the wide selection. And if you don't know what to choose, the team will guide you according to your tastes.

A restaurant that serves typical Portuguese cuisine, Malcozinhado is above all a place where you can listen to fado. The address has existed for several centuries and has seen the poet Luís Vaz de Camões (more than 600 years ago!), but especially the talented fado singer Amalia Rodrigues (1920-1999). To see a fado show in an intimate atmosphere, this is the place to come, in this place located two meters above the Douro. Good food, smiling staff. For those who want to live a traditional experience.

The Ice Bar (Bar de Gelo) in Viseu is an attraction in its own right. It's true that the experience is fun: you are greeted and then lent a Canadian jacket and escorted to the bar room. Everything is made of ice, walls, ceiling, seats, and even the glasses! Incredible but true! Inexpensive ersatz animal skins from the Great North are available so you don't freeze your hindquarters. A little expensive some will say but it's original and refreshing in the summer especially when the outside temperature flirts with the 40°C.

After opening in Intendente in 2016, this address moved in 2019 near Cais do Sodré. Another place, another style, as it now also does brunch and restaurant, as well as being a tapas bar. It has lost its terrace, so you'll have to make do with the dining room. That said, the managers have preserved the beautiful ashlar arches, and the bar's name is echoed in the azulejos on the counter. Here, you can enjoy a glass of wine with a burger and home fries, or tapas, salads and more.

The philosophy of this restaurant is that the best food is the one shared with friends. Here you will find all kinds of tapas, from chicken skewers with peanut sauce to fried calamari and chicken quesadillas. There are also typical petiscos like pasteis de bacalhau or pimentos padron (small grilled peppers). Located in a quiet street, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy the nice weather or inside for more privacy.

This small bar-snack bar is located in the charming Republic Square, right next to the Santa Cruz Park and Gardens. The main customers of the place are students but everyone is welcome, at any time of the day. You can sit inside or on the terrace to have a drink, a cocktail or a coffee, accompanied by a hamburger, a toast, traditional petiscos (Coimbra tripe, fried egg, chicken legs...), a cod dish. For dessert: brownie, chocolate mousse, banana split... At very low prices.

At a time when planes didn't fly non-stop from New York to Europe, Lisbon was an obligatory stopover for touring jazzmen, and the Hot Clube the must-see! Here, next door to the historic club that burned down in 2009, you can expect to see Count Basie or Dexter Gordon, once programmed by the club. When the weather's fine, a small garden lets you enjoy a live concert or recover from the emotion of hearing THE cymbal crash! Watch out for our unrivalled program online.

A bar as we like them, between the atmosphere of a tavern and an Irish pub with a program of concerts, exhibitions, cinema, reading... It's a bit of a spot for the city's artists, who meet around a good glass of wine, a caneca, and some tapas. To eat, you can choose between meat or vegetarian dishes. Excellent franceshina. Both intimate and warm, you will be sure to spend a nice evening in this bar by letting you carry by the good vibes which emanate from it. Good music.

In addition to culinary specialties, Alentejana and cod are used to minhota. The gecko is no less authentic and emotion at its height, especially that here, in general, everyone sings from the doorman to the server passing through the clients. Often very lively, since 1935! Sim, senhor! However, we are told that the address has lost a bit of its stamp lately…

One of the most pleasant places in Braga to have a drink while listening to some jazz tunes. In the summertime, you can enjoy a drink in a large inner courtyard, with footstools and armchairs. On Fridays, you can enjoy music in the open air, sipping a delicious Caipiroska. The Casa dos Coimbras will delight anyone who wants to have a good time in a pleasant setting. Friendly atmosphere, quality and dynamic service. Quality drinks and music. You can enjoy it at any time of the day. We recommend it.

Cool without being cheesy, simple without being cheap, popular without being redneck, here is a very pleasant corner which inevitably makes think of Bilal drawing his memories of São Francisco... The atmosphere is relaxed in this large space with its wide windows which open on the animation of the district. The music at the turntables varies according to the mood of the day between acid jazz, new bossa, hip-hop, house and drum'n bass. The clientele is quite young and wild, straight and gay, often more people outside than inside. A good choice to feel the atmosphere of the Bairro Alto !

It is one of the oldest bars in the upper district, ideal for conversing over an excellent musical background (the great voices of jazz, soul, blues). The classy and woody decor is the brand image of the place, as is its wine list (more than 300 references) of different Portuguese regions (by the glass or the bottle) to be accompanied by petiscos, cold cuts, cheese or a chicken croque-monsieur, inherited from the former management... Impeccable service! Be patient, sometimes you have to wait a quarter of an hour before a table becomes available!

This old bread and cake factory has saved its wood-fired oven and some of the worn-out machinery to remind itself of the particular climate of the place, which has become, without a pub, a hype for the insomniacs of Bairro Alto. In a colourful space with a warm retro style and rather large, compared to the standards of the neighbourhood, its relaxing atmosphere is coveted by the thirty-year-olds. Beneath its large pillars, one often comes across artists, actors and celebrities of the gotha. The background music remains at a reasonable sound level to allow for conversation.

Previously located in Bairro Alto, this patisserie is now well established in Belém, on the main street leading to the monastery. You can enjoy brunch, lunch or coffee with a slice of cake. But be warned: the closer it gets to closing time, the more likely it is to be out of stock. Even a simple banana bread takes on all its nobility here, served with a caramel coulis and banana slices on top. The decor is a touch romantic, with powder-pink walls and dried flowers on the ceiling.

Not far from the Anjos metro station, this coffee-shop is well worth the effort of going up Jacinta Marto street and stopping in. Its owner, a great coffee lover, will introduce you to local roasts using different methods (filter, espresso...). And then, every Friday evening, the café changes atmosphere to offer wine and DJ sets to get the evening off to a good start before heading out to the bars in the town center. Don't forget to try the viennoiseries from the excellent Soares bakery, or the banana bread he makes himself.

Ippolito & Maciste, just like the names of the two dogs (a Boston terrier and a dachshund) of original owners Marco and Thomas. Since then, the family has grown to include a little dachshund called Marcel, owned by Brice, the sommelier. What Ericeira lacked was a wine bar where you could meet up and taste natural wines, seated at a large table for greater conviviality. There's also a food menu with tapas dishes. Tastings are sometimes organized. We love the decor, with its many green plants.

Adjacent to the National Museum of Ancient Art, above the Casa da América Latina, on the promontory of a small park, the former "Le Chat" has given way to a new concept: the Catch Me bar-restaurant. The name and concept were inspired by the film Catch Me If You Can , starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The cuisine mixes Portuguese and international gastronomy: grilled octopus and roasted potatoes, shrimp risotto, chef's tosta with brioche bread... What's more, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Tagus and dance to the DJ sets.

Located in the city centre, this glass mezzanine club offers an interesting agenda of jazz, blues and other evenings. This is the visible part of the Jam Session Associação Cultural association (non-profit), so you must become a member of the association to be able to enjoy the concerts. However, the entrance fee is not very expensive. There are 2 or 3 sessions per evening. The atmosphere is intimate and warm. On the other hand, it is an association and there is no real bar strictly speaking, so the choice of drinks is a little limited.

Nestled near the castle, this quality theatre develops "open" programmes, while remaining demanding. If you go there after rehearsal hours, you can enjoy its café (Café da Graragem), a setting full of antiques and kitscheries, which has one of the most beautiful views of the city of Lisbon. It is often better known for its coffee with tourists and that is a bit of a pity. To see to believe it!

Dance shows, classical music and jazz, world music, new trends, experimental music, concerts and meetings often exceptional, all in a human room attended by many students. The decor is a little congress of Brezhnev in the 1970 s, but programming is exceptional: Lenine (the Brazilian musician!), Egberto Gismonti, John Zorn Electric Masada, Brad Mehldau, Rodrigo Leão…

In the heart of Alfama, this house of folklore and fado is housed in a noble medieval house (former palace of the Counts of Murça). Since 2008, it has been offering a different approach, combining Fado singing and music with traditional costumed dance scenes. In a beautiful hall, with floor and real stage: a young singer, a reconstruction of a ^19th-century scene, experienced singers and dances from national folklore (Nazaré, Coimbra, Ribatejo, Linhares da Beira...). The artists bring authentic tableaux to life.

A small cinema of 3 rooms in this brand new shopping mall, with all other movies in the original version.

The biggest complex in southern Portugal of this chain of cinema which broadcasts only recent films, mostly foreign, and in original version of course. This modern cinema has 9 rooms.

One of the most popular bars for youth of Odeceixe and of the region which is found there at the end of the week. Beautiful atmosphere, where the kind mix. Most is to have a good time while enjoying one of the many cocktails of the house, often inspired by what is done in Brésil.

Tendinha dos Clérigos has become in fifteen years one of the cultural musical references for going out. This bar-club is located in the most lively area of Porto at night, right in the city centre. The atmosphere is mainly rock, electro-pop, and you can see it just in the decoration. Established DJ's come and go to keep you entertained, the sounds will remind some of their teenage years. The agenda of special evenings is regularly updated on the website. An ideal place to spend the night until the early hours.

This chapel dating from the 19th century is not ordinary. It has been transformed into a wine bar. The interior has been decorated to preserve its authenticity, between gold, burgundy and wood tones. Here is a picturesque place to enjoy a glass of Portuguese wine with the best advice from the available and attentive staff. The menu features nectars from the Minho and Douro regions. Generous tapas(petiscos) are offered to accompany your tasting. Sometimes, you will have the pleasure to hear live music. A nice surprise!

Just like in Porto, a glamorous and warm atmosphere awaits us in this restaurant that invites us to a gustatory experience... and visual. Male and female erotic shows take place between the dishes. The public is even put to contribution (at its good will obviously) in games, without the need to understand the language. Waitresses in lingerie and muscular waiters in tight boxers serve traditional cuisine with an international touch. A quality meal with fun and laughter guaranteed in group.

Opened since 1977, the Bonaparte is a traditional bar in La Foz known for its Irish atmosphere. A real pub where you can enjoy good beers, good whiskies (a lot of bottles are exposed behind the counter) and of course non-alcoholic drinks. Nice appetizers. You will appreciate the Irish atmosphere with a Portuguese twist, especially on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day or during the broadcasting of the Champions League matches. For a good night out with friends.