Inside Loop - Dispatch #1 | My favourite Lisbon cocktail bars
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Welcome to dispatch #1 of “Inside Loop” - a bespoke travel consultancy, tailored just for you. This newsletter will be arriving in your inbox every two weeks, and all the editions will be archived and live here.
While still quite daunting to launch a first edition - I thought it fitting that it should highlight two things I love - Lisbon & Cocktails... so first up in this newsletter is a round up of what I consider to be best cocktail bars in Lisbon (some better known than others…) and their best kept secrets. All of these are cross-generational and extremely inclusive places which I often frequent with friends & family. In no particular order:
1. Cascavel
Photo Credit: Cascavel - Google Maps Link
Recently opened about 4 months ago, this bar is a local favourite. Situated on one of the trendiest streets in Lisbon’s coolest neighbourhood of Santos, and operating from 17h to 24h, it serves every purpose possible. Pre-dinner drink, post-dinner drink, an evening of people-watching at one of their outside tables, a cosy table à deux inside - you name it, they’ve nailed it. The cement walls and large archways create an inviting vibe that spills out onto the street. They are one of the few cocktail bars that have a decent non-alcohol list (still untapped territory in Lisbon…) and they switch up their menu quite often, as well as serve all the classics (beer & natural wines too). The crowd is cosmopolitan but also local - Portuguese people actually go to this bar too, and the staff is mostly local too. They also offer small bites if you can’t hold off until dinner time. Start your evening outside with a mezcal margarita and then move inside as the evening goes on with their special espresso martini…
🧡 Great to pair with: A late-ish dinner at Maluca - a small plates /small restaurant gem just down the road from Cascavel.
2. Toca da Raposa
Photo Credit: Toca da Raposa - Google Maps Link
Down some cobbled steps and not accessible by taxi/uber, this is a great cocktail bar to have in a Lisbon neighbourhood that has great restaurants but not that many after-dinner spots. The interiors are slick & modern, and they have plenty of seating for slightly larger groups. The entire menu is experimental and named after animals - my personal favourite is the “turtle” (mezcal, guava & pink peppercorn). I’ve had about 3 of these after dinner and woken up with a clear head! Off the beaten track (it’s definitely not on the tourist footpath) and completely original as a place. Started by locals and still very local friendly - which is important. The mixologists are incredibly good at what they do here, and make you feel welcome from the second you walk in.
🧡 Great to pair with: Dinner before at Pinóquio for some delicious seafood in a local spot in the touristy part of town you otherwise wouldn’t find yourself in.
3. Imprensa Cocktail & Oyster Bar
Photo Credit: Imprensa - Google Maps Link
Another one of my favourites - Imprensa has some of the best cocktails in Lisbon, and as part of the name would suggest, some of the best oysters too. The name Imprensa means “press” (like printing press) as it’s on a street named after the national press. Right off one of the quaintest squares in central historic Lisbon, Praça das Flores, this spot is always packed with locals. Head there early for an after work spicy margarita and half a dozen local oysters, or after a late-ish dinner. It can get busy after 8pm if you want a seat inside or at the bar, so good to keep that in mind when planning your evening.
🧡 Great to pair with: Dinner after at Magnolia - try and book a table outside overlooking the leafy Praça das Flores.
4. Pavilhão Chinês
Photo Credit - Lojas com Historia
Definitely not a trendy, “vibey” & dark cocktail spot, but instead a historic gem that serves up great cocktails in a weird and wonderful environment. This bar has been open since 1986, but elected to keep a large part of the bar the way it used to be when it served drinks in 1901. It is a quirky space with 5 or 6 different rooms (you get told where to sit by the maître d) and also has a billiards room in the back. There are WWII trinkets and other forms of collectible memorabilia all over, covering every inch of the bar, and it feels like a giant museum. Does it attract the wrong type of tourist? Yes. But does it also hide itself from the world despite being on one of the main drags of Lisbon? Also yes. Everyone I’ve taken here has been mesmerized and in awe of this place. Don’t discount the fact there are people inside taking photos, because locals like to come here too. They make any cocktail you like (they won’t have trendy spirits like Mezcal), and you’re served by old-school waiters who still wear a shirt and tie, and who also serve you bar popcorn with your drinks. This is a perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink or en-route to somewhere else night-cap. Its sister bars Foxtrot and Procópio are less eccentric, yet have a similar old-school feel and service too.
🧡 Great to pair with: Dinner before at Pica Pau which serves up delicious local food in a simple yet modern setting. Plus they have a different daily Portuguese special.
5. Sneaky Sip
Photo Credit: Sneaky Sip - Google Maps Link
I don’t usually love the idea behind a “not so secret” speakeasy. However, the overall experience at Sneaky Sip is a fantastic one. You enter an unassuming corner building via what looks like a “ring” home monitoring device. They ask for a password which you can easily access off their instagram - but also let you in without it if they are not busy. Often these creative newly opened places go all out on the speakeasy approach but then skimp on the cocktails. But not sneaky sip. They make all of their original cocktails using what they consider to be “underrated” ingredients and explain the concept to you before you order. My mind was blown when I had a carrot and cinnamon espresso martini, and I could have tried everything on the menu. They also had a great range of mocktails too - which as I mentioned earlier, isn’t commonplace in Lisbon. If this was London these cocktails would be no less than £20 each, but since it’s Lisbon, this bar is well priced and accessible. Highly recommend as a new entrant to the list!
🧡 Great to pair with: Dinner before at Âmago - a chef’s table experience that specializes in locally in season produce.
5. Quattro Teste
Photo Credit - 50Best - Google Maps Link
When I do find myself in the touristy neighbourhood of Alfama, I often try and have a drink at Quattro Teste. This intimate little bar is on a bustling street, but tucked away behind a curtain. The owners are a duo who are Italian and Basque and so the menu is a reflection of this interesting marriage of flavours. I always find the crowd here a mix of locals and tourists in the know, and they don’t allow groups larger than six (which is a good thing!) My favourite drink here is the “Burro e Salvia” which tastes like a delicious alcoholic milkshake (highly recommend). It doesn’t get too vibey, so would suggest this spot for an early evening drink.
🧡 Great to pair with: Dinner after at Tasca Baldracca - a fun and very trendy “tasca” - Portuguese for a local cheap & cheerful food joint. They only take reservations after 8pm and via instagram DM.
6. Vago
Photo Credit - Urbanologie - Google Maps Link
Last but certainly not least, is Vago. This bar might be on the well-travelled person’s radar but still deserves the credit. It was the first late-night proper dance bar in Lisbon that you can find in other cities, but that was hugely lacking here. My neighbour and his brother opened it in 2021 and have worked tirelessly with local authorities to make this type of bar happen / stay open. Vago can get absolutely packed on the weekends with lines going down the block and a one-in / one-out system. However, it is not elitist or exclusive and the team of people who work there are very friendly and want you to get in there and have a good time. The sound system is one of the best in Lisbon (the music is loud but you can easily hear the person you are having a conversation with) and they attract the best DJs to perform. Either come early (before 10pm) if you want to get a seat and grab a drink and a small bite to eat, or come during the busy hours but be prepared to stand or be tucked up in the archway window seats. It’s also worth checking out its smaller sister bar Lisa which is a few doors down and has live music most nights of the week.
🧡 Great to pair with: Continue a vinyl spinning evening with dinner before / after at Boavista Social Club (5 min walk apart).
…and that’s all! If you enjoyed reading this newsletter please do encourage friends to also subscribe. And don’t hesitate to reach out if you want tailored travel tips on any upcoming trips!
🧡 Camilla