There are few feelings comparable to that first sip of ice-cold beer after a long, strenuous workday; luckily, Lisbon is not lacking in places to track down your favourite aperitif. From its breath-taking rooftop bars to its more laid-back riverside haunts, Lisbon’s working population is known to spill out of their offices come 6 pm, heading for an evening tipple. The city’s perpetual sunshine and rusty sunsets make it all the more inviting, too. So make sure to catch some late-afternoon rays with our guide to the top 10 bars for after-work drinks in Lisbon!
LINHA D’ÁGUA
One of the most unique bars in the city thanks to its stunning, tranquil location, Linha d’ Água makes for the perfect evening escape from the noise of the city centre. Only a 15-minute walk from Marquês de Pombal, the city’s main business district, this waterside bar is nestled into the greenery of Parque Eduardo VII. With its wooden jetty dangling over the beautiful fountain in Amália Rodrigues garden, and its snaking wooden walkway which leads you around the water, this bar is a perfect place to head for when the Portuguese sun is shining. They’re also open for coffee and sandwiches during the day if you fancy a break from your usual lunchtime routine.
LIMÃO CHILL-OUT TERRACE @ H10 HOTEL
The pint-sized rooftop bar of Avenida Duque de Loulé’s H10 Hotel is Lisbon’s best-kept secret. What the Limão Chill-Out Terrace Bar lacks in size it makes up for in style – and the view is pretty spectacular, too! You don’t have to be a guest to saunter into the lobby of this hotel and up to the 10th floor, where you’ll find the blue-and-white tiles and funky wicker chairs of the rooftop bar. With a view all the way down to the Tejo river, and a cocktail and snack menu to suit every taste, this bar is a favourite among workers in the area.
TOPO CHIADO @CARMO CONVENT
It is not easy to stumble upon this bar by accident, given its inconspicuous location; a wander around the back of the ruins of the Carmo Convent will lead you to TOPO, Chiado’s hippest and least-crowded terrace bar! Whether you’re gazing up at the whitewashed stone of the convent itself, or sinking back into one of their lounge chairs, overlooking the intricately-designed Elevador de Santa Justa, TOPO Chiado is an oasis of calm in the centre of the city’s most highly-visited area.
If you’re feeling a little peckish, there are also a range of snacks on offer, such as salads and burgers, along with their selection of classic and more adventurous cocktails. TOPO Chiado is the perfect place to see you through an evening of dancing, drinking, and delicious food.
LE CHAT
Slightly off the beaten tourist trail is the area of Santos: home to a variety of co-working spaces and offices, and a hub for Lisbon’s international digital nomad community. There’s no better location, then, for well-loved bar Le Chat.
Hidden away in the Jardim 9 de Abril, this is a rooftop bar like no other. Le Chat overhangs the main highway along Lisbon’s riverside, giving the bar a view across the industrial docks and out to the Ponte 25 Abril.
By night, this twinkling, futuristic panorama is a popular favourite among the young expat community, and the bar often hosts meet-ups and events for local digital nomads. Its signature homemade cocktails are in-keeping with the French vibe, with fun names such as “C’est Parti Mon Kiki” and “Forêt Suspendu”, each as strong and refreshing as the next.
RIO MARAVILHA
Lisbon’s LX Factory is renowned for its unusual uses of space and fun, colourful designs. Its rooftop bar, Rio Maravilha, is no different; while it is most famous for its large outdoor terrace and the unparalleled view across the river, its interior is quirky yet stylish.
If it’s a little cold to be outside, then settle yourself into one of their large, vintage armchairs, or perch at a repurposed foosball table as you sip your drink – but make sure to head upstairs for a picture, first! At the weekend, you may have to queue for a while as you wait for your drink at the bar, but it’s totally worth it.
Rio Maravilha is the perfect place to meet like-minded people, both locals and tourists alike, and is a wonderful spot to watch the sun go down over the hills.
PARK BAR
Don’t be discouraged by the entrance to this unusual bar: it’ll be well worth the confusion once you reach the top! Located in the heart of Chiado, PARK Bar appears at first to be just a car park. But as you follow the industrial stairwell up, through the door to the left of the car park’s payment booth, you are suddenly thrown into the evening light, surrounded by more greenery than you thought was possible with so much concrete around you.
Its simplistic wooden decking, with furniture to match, gives you the perfect vantage point from which to admire the view, which stretches all the way over to Lisbon’s Alcântara area. Share a pitcher of their infamous, sweet sangria; although be warned that this is not for the faint-hearted.
BANANA CAFÉ – JARDIM DO TOREL
The location of Lisbon’s Jardim do Torel, sitting quietly above the main tourist hotspots, means that the park is visited mainly by locals. The different layers of the park, which boasts a grassy area, wooden deck chair fixtures, and a paddling fountain, all have one thing in common: the incredible view.
Looking out across the Avenida da Liberdade and towards the Bairro Alto, the view from this garden is littered with terracotta roofs and lush, green trees. If you follow the white stone steps down to the terrace, you’ll find Banana Café: an outdoor bar with a comfy seating area. With a draft beer for as little as 1,80€, you can’t go wrong! Banana Café also hosts a number of summer parties and often has live music and DJs to set the mood.
PAVILHÃO CHINÊS
An unmissable part of your trip to Lisbon is the quirky and old-timey Pavilhão Chinês. The city’s answer to a speakeasy, you could easily stroll straight past this bar; its huge, red wooden door is permanently closed, giving the entire place an abandoned feel. But ring the bell and step inside, and you’re transported back to the 1920s, with extravagant dark wood and velvet décor, and collectable items hanging every which way.
Wander through its warren-like passages to the back room for a game of pool, or gaze at the elegant chandelier which overhangs the long, regal bar. The waiters’ red waistcoats and bow-ties, and the snug, low seating make you feel as if you’re rattling along in a train carriage.
ESPLANADA CAFÉ @ PRÍNCIPE REAL
Lisbon’s Príncipe Real area is one of the nicest and most well-kept parts of the city. It goes without saying that its garden, which sits among a square of tall, pastel-coloured houses, is just as beautiful.
Esplanada Café is a small, open-air bar in the middle of this historic park, whose tables snake around the roots of two gnarled, ancient trees. Often accompanied by live musicians, the tree canopies make this spot an ideal place to shelter from the afternoon sun.
Their list of classic cocktails, wines and beers is topped only by this unique setting – and at just 5€ for an Aperol, there’s no better place to unwind after a working day.
ROOFTOP BAR & LOUNGE @ HOTEL MUNDIAL
Famous mainly for its large, bright terrace and a 360-degree view of the city, the Rooftop Bar & Lounge at the Hotel Mundial is in the perfect location for people all over the city. Found straddling the clean-cut Praça da Figueira and edgy Martim Moniz, this rooftop bar boasts unbeatable views of the Castelo de São Jorge.
Split into two levels, at weekends the bar can often be found heaving with local partygoers kick-starting their evening, whilst during the week, the squashy white sofas are taken up by weary workers, looking to wind down after a day in the office. The garden-like décor and wooden flooring of this bar echo Lisbon’s atmosphere of perpetual summer, even during the city’s milder winter months. Gin fans will drool over their long list of flavours, while more adventurous tastes should try their Ginger Cosmopolitan.
WINE BAR & TERRACE @MEMMO PRÍNCIPE REAL
Tucked away in a quiet alleyway, branching off from the Príncipe Real’s lively Rua Dom Pedro V, is the swanky Memmo Príncipe Real hotel. Its peaceful location and panoramic view across the Avenida make this hotel’s poolside bar one of the most beautiful spots for an evening aperitif.
Stepping onto the compact but modern terrace, you are greeted immediately by the unusual green-tiled pool and sleek, grey furnishings. With sundown DJ sessions every Thursday to Saturday from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and an extensive list of craft cocktails, the Memmo Príncipe Real bar is somewhere to celebrate the weekend (and maybe to splash the cash a little!)
LISBON AFTER WORK BAR WRAP UP
I hope this list of 11 best after-work bars in Lisbon helps you next time you are looking to blow off some steam and enjoy a great cocktail in the city! Do you have another favorite bar in Lisbon? Let me know in the comments below!
We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit some great after-work bars in Lisbon. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
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