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Mussulo
Mussulo, named after the island in front of Luanda (Angola), keeps faithful to its Angolan roots with a mixture of soft rhythms for cruising and Afro-techno for when things really get going - and in the wee hours they do. Earlier on it's the perfect place to stop and weigh up the options for the night or chill after a long day.
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Nova Tertúlia Bar
This Bairro Alto newcomer hosts live jazz most weekends amid plenty of smoky atmosphere.
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O'Gilíns
Lisbon's oldest Irish pub gathers homesick expats who come for the frothy heads of Guinness and live music evenings from Thursday to Saturday.
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Onda Jazz Bar
This narrow, underground space features an eclectic menu of mainstream jazz as well as more eclectic beats of bands from Brazil, Angola and Cape Verde.
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Op Art Café
On the water's edge, this slightly hidden spot attracts a better crowd than other Docas joints. Highly recommended for those long summer party nights, this combo bar/club/restaurant plays some pretty decent music, especially on Saturday nights when the DJs keep spinning until dawn.
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Paradise Garage
This is one of Lisbon's chief small venues for bands, festivals and club nights. Perhaps a tad too eclectic for its own good, hosting gothic rock bands one night and 'Ladies Night' the next, without batting an eyelid. Still, it's an excellent mid-sized venue and during summer usually hosts after-hours sessions.
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Parreirinha de Alfama
Another favourite local fado house, with good food and ambience and an audience that often falls hard for the top-quality fadistas .
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Pavilhão Chines
After being greeted by a waistcoated waiter apparently hired from a different era, you soon realise that this is no ordinary bar. There are fabulous, kitsch knick-knacks in cabinets, on the walls and anywhere else there's a spare piece of real estate. Locals head straight to the back bar, as visitors get sideways on the lethal cocktails.
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Portas Largas
Portas Largas is the warm and woolly jumper of Lisbon's drinking scene - it's well worn and well loved - and everyone gets a warm welcome, especially the gay crowd. The building is a converted old tasca (tavern) in the heart of the Bairro Alto. It's hard to pass a night out in the Bairro without dropping into this casual and friendly bar.
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Sétimo Ceu
An old-school bar that's still one of the most popular gay drinking spots in town.
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Side Bar
Next door to Sétimo Ceu, this fun, tiny place is also worth checking out. It's a mixed gay-friendly bar, run by the same owner as Sétimo Ceu.
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Solar do Vinho do Porto
In a suitably awed atmosphere, here is an excellent opportunity to taste over 200 varieties of port - dark and red or light and tangy - either upstairs, which does a genteel-tearoom impression, or downstairs in a cosy cavern. Bottles cost around €7 to around €1200 . Top tip: taste here and buy at the supermarket later.
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Taborda
Taborda is an alternative theatre with a bar that offers fantastic views; an excellent choice for a sundowner or a late-night drink overlooking the city. Also check out Chapitô, on the same street.
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Teatro da Trindade
Bairro Alto's turn-of-the-century gem stages an assortment of national and foreign productions.
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Teatro Municipal de São Luís
Stages opera, ballet and theatre.
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Teatro Nacional de Dona Maria II
Underfunding means the impressive national theatre has a somewhat hit-and-miss schedule. There's a charming café on site.
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Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
The gutted buildings that pockmarked the Chiado after a massive fire in 1988 have been magnificently restored by architect Álvaro de Siza Vieira, most now housing elegant shopping malls. One survivor of the fire is Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon's opera house and well worth a visit with opera, ballet and theatre seasons. It's a delirious gold-and-red, cherub-and-garland extravaganza built in the 1790s.
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Teatro Taborda
This cultural centre shows contemporary dance, theatre and world music. There are spectacular views and an excellent restaurant.
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Trumps
Lisbon's premier gay club boasts two bars and a sizable dance floor. This is the place to dance.
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Tuareg
Throw pillows, flickering candles and Arabian music set the mood at this atmospheric drinking den. In addition to cocktails and ambience, Tuareg serves up several dozen teas, waterpipes and Saturday-night belly dancers.
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Última Sé
Hidden behind the Casa dos Bicos, Ultima Sé is an atmospheric place with old arched stone walls and a fun crowd. It features nights of world beats and reggae.
