Lisbon Entertainment

Music entertainment in Lisbon

  1. A

    Music Box

    Under the brick arches on Rua Nova do Carvalho lies one of Lisbon’s hottest clubs. The pulsating Music Box hosts loud and sweaty club nights with music shifting from electro to rock, plus ear-splitting gigs by up-and-coming bands.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Belém Bar Café

    The self-consciously cool BBC attracts fashionistas to its glass-walled lounge bar and terrace with cracking views of Ponte 25 de Abril. DJ Espírito Santo fills the dance floor with hip-hop and R ’n’ B at the weekend.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Lux

    Lisbon’s ice-cool, must-see club, Lux is run by ex-Frágil maestro Marcel Reis and part-owned by John Malkovich. The wacky design features an oversized shoe, ­mirrored tunnels and violet light. Special but not snooty, Lux hosts big-name DJs like Leonaldo de Almeida and Pinkboy spinning electro and house. Grab a spot on the roof terrace to see the sun rise over the Tejo. Style policing is heartwarmingly lax but get here after 4am on a Friday or Saturday and you might have trouble getting in because of the crowds.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Kremlin

    Until Lux pinched its crown, Kremlin was Lisbon’s undisputed megaclub. It’s still the home of house, though slipping past the Stalin-esque bouncers can be a challenge. A pick ’n’ mix of gays, straights, models and wannabes come to bop to deep house in wacky Oriental surrounds. Heats up around 3am.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Capela

    Once a Gothic chapel, today Capela’s gospel is an experimental line-up of electronica and funky house. Get there early (before midnight) to appreciate the DJs before the crowds descend. Frescos, Renaissance-style nude murals and dusty chandeliers add a boho-chic touch.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Buddha Ba

    Paris it ain’t, but this Buddha still rocks. Slick and Oriental, the decor is a blend of red lanterns, gauzy curtains, exotic wood and fountains. A young, good-looking crowd shimmies to chillout tunes, then cools down on the breezy outdoor terrace with stunning river views.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Bar do Rio

    Intimate, funky and on its lonesome at Cais do Sodré, Bar do Rio is worth hitting for a drink before heading to Lux. Get there too late and it might seem like too much of an effort if it's crowded, but the staff are friendly and relaxed. Good soul, funk and house.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Cabaret Maxime

    Formerly a strip joint and Parisian-style cabaret, Maxime has bid farewell to the leggy showgirls. Nowadays, young Lisboetas flock here for club nights where DJs play old-school tunes, or loud, sweaty gigs of both established and upcoming local bands.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Luanda

    This is a big, African club and Lisbon's favourite booty shaker, with a fantastically steamy, glitzy atmosphere. Things get hot and sweaty around 03:00, when everyone hits the floor for Luandan kuduro, Brazilian or R&B music.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Incógnito

    No-sign, pint-sized Incógnito offers an alternative vibe and DJs thrashing out indie rock and electropop. Sweat it out with a fun crowd on the tiny basement dance floor, or breathe more easily in the loft bar upstairs.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Café In

    About 1km west of Doca de Santo Amaro, Café In offers good views of the bridge from either the riverside terrace of the all-glass bar inside. DJs spin ambient tunes for a fairly well-dressed crowd.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Europa Club

    Lisbon’s hottest afterparties happen here at the weekend. Lisboetas descend from 6am to 10am for a ‘breakfast’ of Portuguese DJs spinning rock, house, electro and techno.

    reviewed

  14. M

    A Lontra

    Near Bairro Alto, A Lontra attracts mostly African-Portuguese clubbers bumping and grinding to African sounds, R ’n’ B and hip-hop. It fills up about 2am and stays open late.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Op Art Café

    On the water’s edge, this slightly hidden glass-and-wood cafe attracts a more laid-back bunch than other Docas bars. On Saturday nights, DJs spin house and lounge till dawn.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Onda Jazz Bar

    This vaulted cellar features a menu of mainstream jazz, plus more-eclectic beats of bands hailing from Brazil and Africa. Don’t miss Wednesday’s free jam session.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Clube da Esquina

    DJs playing hip-hop and house to an eye-candy crowd.

    reviewed