Portugal by Because night-time in the Portuguese capital is full of possibilities capable of satisfying the most demanding night owls: terraces to chill out, from where it is possible to admire the magical palette of colours in the evening sky, dancing in nightclubs to the latest electronic music from Europe, meeting artists in industrial spaces in the purest style of Berlin or immersing oneself in the Portuguese culture of fado and "saudade" in traditional but modernised fado houses.
All this is possible in this city that may seem melancholy during the day, but is cheerful and vibrant like few others by night. The night is vulgar, sensual and original on the pink asphalt, but also versatile and diverse. Bairro Alto: the first drink A quaint district like few others that has for decades undoubtedly been the place to meet for the first drink of the evening. In Rua da Barroca, Clube da Esquina Rua da Barroca is a bar with a cult following, which they say serves the best mojitos in town.
Besides caipirinhas and good music, Bairro Alto also offers other attractions to enliven the warm evenings, with various designer boutiques and "concept stores" whose doors stay open until the early hours. This has been praised as the fourth best view of the world from a hotel terrace, and offers a stunning panoramic city view with the River Tagus as a unique backdrop. Christened the LX Factory LX is an acronym for Lisbon , it comprises 23,m2 of previously abandoned buildings, which seamlessly merge creativity and the industrial spirit of the area.
It is a true city within the city. Alfama, the modern fado experience There is nothing more Portuguese than the melancholy, profound fado singing which was born, it seems, in a tavern in the Alfama neighbourhood.
This was in the 19th century, and the notes imbued with nostalgia and heartache of a music that is all about hopeless love and longing have become one of the icons of Portugal. Currently, fado remains inseparable from the essence of Alfama and it is here, among the alleyways, cobbled pavements and decaying Moorish houses, that you can find the best places to hear it. A new generation of fado houses has recently emerged that, without losing its essence, offer a more up-to-date folkloric experience, of better quality and much more entertaining.
