Bairro Alto is traditionally Lisbon’s nightlife hub. It has been constantly evolving and is now one of the city’s most popular nightclub hotspots. The narrow streets become crowded every night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when everyone unwinds at the weekend.
Bairro Alto’s variety of bars and restaurants attracts a colourful mix of patrons, from youths of every imaginable style to a more mature clientele looking for a laid-back bar with good music. The Bairro, as it is known by regulars, is the only place where bar-goers are allowed to spill out from the bars and into the narrow streets to socialize outdoors, always in good cheer.
During the day, Bairro Alto is also a special place for a walk. Its streets have many shops selling designer items and clothing, including second-hand clothing. It’s a sort of bazaar you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
The riverside zone is also a nightlife hotspot featuring clusters of bars that have come to symbolise Lisbon’s bar and restaurant scene.
The best-known of these clusters are on the avenue itself, Av. 24 de Julho, and in the Santos Zone. Here, you’ll find many bars and discos, including some of the most popular nightclubs.
The Docas (docks), in Alcântara and Santo Amaro, are also brimming with nightlife right on the edge of the river. These areas, which are also very popular during the day, are the ideal scenario for a fun-filled night. In addition to its buzzing nightlife, the neighbourhood of Santos now has a new vocation with a distinctive brand name - Santos Design District. The concentration of design shops featuring Portuguese and international brands has brought a new touch of glamour to one of Lisbon’s most typical zones.
In and around Lisbon: BAIRRO ALTO SANTOS
May 2017 - Feature Destination
62 - SEVENSEAS