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15 Best Nightclubs in Lisbon
*Originally published by Natalie on July and Updated by Vanessa in October 2022
One of the biggest industries to take a hit from 2020 was Portugal’s entertainment scene. From The Algarve through Lisbon, clubs, bars and live music venues have waited patiently for the go-ahead to reopen their doors and bring the vibrancy back to evenings in the cities.
Lisbon’s city center and surrounding neighborhoods are littered with bars and clubs. The music scene in the Portuguese capital is considerably eclectic; there is something for everyone to enjoy.
by Nick Fewings – Unsplash
1. LuxFrágil in Lisbon
Also known as ‘Lux’, this is Lisbon’s most famous nightclub. It opened its doors back in 1998, offering partygoers two dance floors and a rooftop terrace.
I strongly recommend getting yourself inside before 1am, after this the line wraps around the block and access becomes more political. Dress appropriately; you won’t be allowed in if you arrive in flip flops.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: Av. Infante D. Henrique a Sta Apolónia Cais da Pedra, Armazém A, 1950-376 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: Lisboa Santa Apolónia
2. Incógnito in Lisbon
Incógnito is like Lux but for the more indie crowds. It’s famous for hosting DJ sets by some of the biggest names in Indie music bands from around the world, including Arcade Fire.
Again, you want to be inside as early as possible. The closer it gets to 4am, the more packed and unpleasant the inside becomes. Come for a dance between 11:30 and 2am, then go enjoy a late night falafel wrap in Bairro Alto.
Incógnito in Lisbon – by Incógnito – Uploaded by them
Click here for more great things to eat in Bairro Alto.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Wednesday TO Saturday — 11pm to 4am
ADDRESS: R. Poiais de São Bento 37, 1200-356 Lisboa, Portugal
Metro STATION: Rato
3. Plateau in Lisbon
If you like an 80s disco, you’ll love Plateau! Here you’ll dance the night away alongside likeminded people who simply came to have a good time.
Wednesday nights are notorious for being one of the most fun places to be in the city center. The club is close to the edge of the Tagus; I recommend a waterside dinner followed by a visit to Plateau.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: Escadinhas da Praia 7, 1200-769 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: Santos
4. Metropolis Club in Lisbon
Hard rock found its way into Lisbon during the early 70s; this is when Metropolis opened its doors to cater to the demand.
Make your way down into the basement of the near-abandoned Centro Comercial Imaviz. You’ll pass some eerie vacant stores before you get to the club entrance. Expect loud, hard energy — from both the music and the people.
Metropolis Club in Lisbon – by Metropolis Club – Sourced from their Facebook
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Friday & Saturday — 11pm to 6am
ADDRESS: Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo 35, 1050-118 Lisboa, Portugal
Metro STATION: Picoas
5. CINCO Lounge in Lisbon
CINCO is not a nightclub per say; it’s an upmarket cocktail lounge with a spacious enough interior that people can have a bit of a dance if they so desire.
The ambiance is that of a secret clubhouse. The energy inside feels almost serendipitous; this is a notorious spot for chance meetings and encounters with individuals who will guide you to your next party spot during your night on the town.
CINCO Lounge in Lisbon – by CINCO Lounge – Uploaded by them
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Monday TO Sunday — 9pm to 2am
ADDRESS: R. Ruben A. Leitão 17A, 1200-392 Lisboa, Portugal
Metro STATION: Rato
6. Rive Rouge in Lisbon
This is Lux’s sister club. It’s situated on the first floor of the Time Out Market, above where the market area takes place.
This expansive dance floor is fueled by electronic music. On Sunday’s Rive Rouge is open between 5pm to 1am for what they call ‘matinee sessions’. Drinks aren’t cheap but you get a lot from the overall experience of the club in return.
Rive Rouge in Lisbon – by Rive Rouge – Uploaded by them
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: Praça Dom Luís I, 1200-148 Lisboa, Portugal
Metro STATION: Cais do Sodré
7. 5A Club in Lisbon
5A is one of my favorite places to visit in Lisbon. You’ll find it in the northernmost region of Bairro Alto; the city’s main party district.
5A is an intimate dance club. They care more about quality than quantity, and do well not to pack the place just to make a fast buck. The music is solely house and the venue is regularly praised for the taste of the resident DJs.
5A Club in Lisbon – by 5A Club – Uploaded by them
Click here for 5 more great bars in Bairro Alto!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: Rua do Noronha 5A, 1250-173 Lisboa, Portugal
Metro STATION: Rato
8. Lounge in Lisbon
One of the best things about Lounge is that entrance is absolutely free! This gem is situated in Cais do Sodre, along the water’s edge.
Lounge is indeed, a lounge, but nights here are always surprising and spontaneous. You never really know what you’re going to find happening here; some nights a live band will be providing entertainment, other nights you’ll boogie down to 80s disco.
Lounge in Lisbon – by Lounge – Uploaded by them
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: R. Moeda 1, 1200-275 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: Cais do Sodré
9. Bolero Lisboa in Lisbon
Bolero is high energy from start to finish. It might not be the biggest nightclub in Lisbon, but it sure makes enough noise to give it that appearance.
I love that there is a designated smoking section so that you’re not breathing in second hand smoke all night long, as is the case with most clubs in Lisbon.
Bolero Lisboa in Lisbon – by Bolero Lisboa – Uploaded by them
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: Rua Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, Armazém H, Naves A e B, 1350-353 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: Alcântara-Mar
10. Focus in Lisbon
Focus is situated just outside the LX Factory on Lisbon’s east coast. It’s another wild spot where drinks and music flow until the early hours of the morning.
The vibe is a mix of Brazilian classics, house and Afrobeats. The crowd is more mature than in other clubs in the city center.
Focus in Lisbon – by Focus – Uploaded by them
Click here for more great bars near the LX Factory in Lisbon!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Contact for current hours
ADDRESS: R. Maria Luísa Holstein 9, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: Alcântara-Mar
11.Sabotage Club
Rock is the main theme here. Sabotage has played nothing but that since it first opened its doors in April 2013. Sabotage, a byproduct of the same-named magazine, which has since closed, is close to the chaotic nightlife of Cais do Sodré, but not too close. On Thursdays and Saturdays, there are concerts, nearly always featuring local rock bands with an original repertoire. Occasionally, it also opens on other days. From indie pop to stoner, garage, and psych-rock, the music is varied. In the end, it’s a club for worshippers of the electric guitar’s six strings.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:Rua de São Paulo 14 e 16, 1200 Lisboa
Train STATION:569-Argentina – Sa Feixina
12.MusicBox
Nowadays, Musicbox has a more diversified schedule than ever: Baile Tropicante makes you dance to cumbia music, Noite Principe focuses on the afro-electronica found in Lisbon’s suburbs, and alternative showcases like the Musicbox Heineken Series bring international clubbing acts to the city.
Despite the fact that the other bars in Cais do Sodré are already booting out their last patrons, it is also renowned for being one of the clubs that stay open the longest.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:R. Poiais de São Bento 37, 1200-356 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION:Rua Nova do Carvalho
13.Lux
It’s the most well-known club in the area—actually, the entire nation. On September 29, 1998, it first opened its doors. Frágil in Bairro Alto was previously owned by the recently deceased Manuel Reis. Two dance floors, electronic music, and a rooftop terrace where you can catch the sunrise are all to be expected.
From 2.30 am on, when things start to get truly lively, the queue can be a hindrance. Even so it’s always worth the wait, until the bouncer attempts to charge you €240 (there have been rumors, despite the fact that the cover is typically €12). Be well-groomed and avoid wearing sandals.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:Lisbon, Portugal
Train STATION: Luxembourg railway station
14. Incógnito
The majority of the music played at this ancient building’s underground dance area, which has a bottom floor, is indie. To the uproarious joy of anybody who recognized him, Win Butler, the main singer of Arcade Fire, performed a DJ set there. The first alternative venue in the city was there. On weekends, if you can get in, it can be so busy that it’s difficult to breathe. It is typically open until 4am.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS:R. Poiais de São Bento 37, 1200-356 Lisboa, Portugal
Train STATION: R. Poiais S. Bento
15. Ministerium Club
This club, which is exclusively open on Saturdays and is located in the former Ministry of Finance building, opened its doors on December 1, 2012. With top techno and house music artists performing there every weekend, it has progressively established itself as a landmark in the city’s electronic scene. Spit & Polish, a monthly LGBT event, is another option.
