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Lisbon Gay Bars
While you'll struggle to find a Lisbon bar that doesn't welcome LGBTQ+ travellers, most of the dedicated gay bars can be found in the neighbouring areas of Principe Real and Bairro Alto. The street at the heart of it is Bairro Alto where you'll find crowds of gays hanging out and drinking in the street late at night, since bars and clubs here are busiest around midnight and the early hours. These atmospheric streets come to life after dark, letting you party till morning and explore a diverse range of venues from traditional pubs to decidedly more modern cruise clubs.
Bar TR3S
Bear, Cocktails, Outdoor Seating
Bar TR3S is Lisbon's biggest gay bar and has quickly become one of the most popular since it opened in 2010. Cocktails and cold beers are on offer, while outside there's a comfortable seating area to enjoy your drinks in the afternoon sun. A variety of music keeps the space lively for after-work drinks as well as late night partying. Owned and run by bears, the bar is also known as one of the world's best bear bars.
Burlesque Club Lisbon
Young Crowd
Located in the famous Bairro Alto district and in the heart of Lisbon's gay scene, Burlesque Club is a loud and lively space where you can expect regular happy hours and DJs on weekends. Bartenders serve tasty drinks in a space that, thanks to decor such as large stone arches, has a historical yet cool vibe. This bar is popular with a younger crowd, but everyone is welcome to join the fun for good music throughout the week.
Construction Lisbon
Bear, Dancing, Cruising
Owned by the same group that brings you Woof X, Construction caters to bears of all kinds but welcomes anyone. The club spreads across three floors, with the top floor being a secluded cruising space where you can get the know the guys you've met. The other floors have a modern dance club atmosphere, home to guest DJs and hosting lively parties, bringing ever more exciting concepts to the club.
Espaco 40e1
Cosy
Espaco 40e1 is located in the Barrio Alto district, near to most of the other popular gay venues. A warm and welcoming atmosphere coupled with a central position on the gay scene means like bar is always busy and full of life. The space is small and cosy, leaning into its history to offer a unique feel. Locals know it for its delicious cocktails, while tourists are drawn in for regular themed parties.
Finalmente Club
Drag
Finalmente Club is situated near to the lively gay district of Principe Real, and it has been a staple on the scene since 1976. This club is known for its drag shows, hosted in space that's attitude-free and full of life. You're sure to be welcomed in, and with the show starting well into the early hours you'll get a true taste of queer Lisbon's nightlife.
Gay Bar 106
Drag
Gay bar 106 has been part of Lisbon's gay scene for over 18 years, offering a variety of fun nights out. Amongst shows and game nights you're bound to find an event for you. All events are designed to make you feel welcome and help you meet new people, perfect for tourists looking to immerse themselves in the gay scene. Friendly staff and clientele make this place feel like home.
Margem Sul Bar Club
Cosy, Drag
At Margem Sul there's a space for anyone, no matter what sort of night you're looking for. In one part of the bar, you'll find a chilled lounge where you can enjoy a great range of drinks, sit back, and relax. Meanwhile, in another part, a cabaret stage hosts flamboyant shows featuring some of the country's most talented drag acts. Margem Sul aims to feel like home, giving you somewhere comfy to enjoy your night and see some unforgettable shows.
Maria Lisboa
Cocktails, Outdoor Seating
A popular place to visit in the Bairro Alto district, Maria Lisboa offers a cosy alternative to the wilder clubs. Everyone is welcome to enjoy themed nights and regular drinks offers. Maria Lisboa had retained a historic look but boasts a modern atmosphere complete with DJs and live music. The bar serves exotic cocktails alongside more traditional favourites. Between the bar, terrace, smoking lounge, and other spaces, there's somewhere for everyone to hang out here.
POSH CLUB
Dancing
Relatively new on the scene, POSH is a popular dance club that attracts a mixed queer crowd for parties every Friday and Saturday night. Resident DJs create a lively atmosphere with a mix of pop, funk, and house. Young and super friendly staff complete your night, serving delicious drinks and adding to the atmosphere. Regular themed nights mean there's always something to keep you entertained when you visit.
Portas Largas
Cosy, Cocktails
A well-known name in the Bairro Alto district, Portas Largas has been welcoming the queer community for years. It has a traditional look but a modern feel, attracting crowds of locals and visitors from all over the world. You can tell from the decor that this place has been around for a while, but that's part of its charm. Crowds gather to enjoy cocktails outside on the street while a laid-back soundtrack emanates from inside.
Purex
Cosy, Cocktails, Dancing
Purex is a fun and trendy club in the heart of the gay district, welcoming a mixed crowd but proving especially popular with gay guys. The space perfectly combines a uniquely artsy decor with a cosy vibe, plus a tiny dance floor that's packed every night of the week. DJs and cocktails complete your night so you can dance till morning. The club also provides a summer full of themed nights to keep visitors entertained.
Rendezvous
Gay Friendly, Food
For a decidedly more relaxed and low-key approach to the gay scene, spend an afternoon at Rendezvous. This is a gay-owned cafe and restaurant, with a bar that serves an excellent selection of wine and is proud of its local roots. The kitchen cooks up a great variety of tapas and traditional Portuguese food, so you can visit and enjoy lunch in a super accepting and diverse space.
Shelter Bar
Bear, Drag, Food
Catering to the bear community with a friendly atmosphere and a room full of friendly guys, Shelter Bar is a popular staple on Lisbon's gay scene. For those who enjoy a drink, the bar offers a great selection of wines, gins, and craft beers. Regular bear and drag events keep everyone entertained, while if you're looking for a more relaxed evening then there's the newly opened Shelter Coffee & Gallery that serves Italian snacks and smoothies.
Side Bar
Cosy, Cocktails
Located in a busy corner in Bairro Alto district, Side Bar is the place to go for a more low-key night on the gay scene. Unlike most of the other bars, Side Bar opens in the afternoon so you can hang out and enjoy drinks before you go out for the night. The bar serves Portuguese wine and delicious cocktails, which you can enjoy while relaxing inside or mingling with locals on the street outside.
Trumps
Dancing
One of the longest standing gay clubs in Europe and the largest in Portugal, Trumps truly offers something for everyone. Across two dance floors you'll find people dancing to house and pop, and at the three bars you can sample an amazing range of drinks. Friday is popular with a younger crowd while on Saturday nights the space is full of older guys, but Trumps welcomes everyone any night of the week.
Viking Bar
Dancing
Located in what used to be Lisbon's red-light district, Viking Bar sticks to its roots and hosts an infamous adult show in the early hours every weekend. The show attracts a mixed crowd and is especially popular with tourists, a diverse group of people that bring life to the bar. The neighbouring clubs also cater mainly to tourists, so you'll find the street full of a loud and excitable crowd.
Recommended gay friendly hotels in Lisbon
As an LGBTQ+ traveller, it's important to stay somewhere welcoming, with great value and maybe near to gay venues, and at GayMapper, we have done the hard work for you, curating a list of recommended hotels. In Lisbon, the gay nightlight is clustered around Bairro Alto and Principe Real, so you may prefer to stay in our of our recommended hotels there. Treat yourself to a luxury hotel or stay budget and spend what you save on partying! Check out GayMapper recommendations for gay friendly hotel deals in Lisbon, Portugal. Please support GayMapper by checking out our hotel deals as this helps us to keep the site updated with all this useful information!
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