Lisbon

Spread over a series of seven hills, Lisbon can be a challenge to navigate. Streets rise and fall, sometimes heading up steep inclines with a series of switchbacks. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes if you want to explore this city on the banks of the Tagus River.

Lisbon looks like no other city, partly because of the topography and partly because of its individual style. Blue-and-white ceramic tiles adorn the fronts of public buildings, churches, and fountains. The ornate Manuelian architecture is eye-catching, as is the severe Romanesque cathedral. Around every corner is another view of the hillsides or the river.

Gay life in Lisbon is laid-back and friendly. There’s not a lot of anti-gay sentiment here, which is evident in how easily the same-sex marriage law passed in 2010. Portugal Pride takes place every June. Queer Lisboa is the long-running gay and lesbian film festival that’s held every September. The Chiado, Principe Real, Bairro Alto and Santa Catarina are the most gay-friendly neighborhoods. Outside these districts people are a bit more reserved with public displays of affection.

 

Getting here

Lisbon International Airport is just 4½ miles north of the city center. Buses are a cheap and speedy option, and taxis are also fairly affordable.

 

Getting around

This is a city to explore on foot. To help you out, there’s also a decent system of buses, trams, and subways. Some of the more unusual modes of transportation include funiculars to take you directly up hill, and one elevator designed by Gustav Eiffel, of the famous tower in Paris. GoLisbon has good public transportation info.

 

Neighborhoods

To the west of the medieval quarter is Bairro Alto, the upper town heart of an old Bohemian District, where you’ll find many hetero-friendly gay bars, cafes and clubs and gay-friendly general public social gathering places. Chiado nearby is an elegant area of cafes, theaters, book and antique shops, and big brand names for luxury items. The Principe Real area has an older style of gay ambience, with bars discreetly tucked behind doors with bells or buzzers.

The beach can also be quite gay. Costa da Caparica (Metro to Praça de Espanha, then bus to beach 17 or 19) even has a small summer train that connects the areas: go south, past family strands to find the more nudist and gay areas. At Beach 19 follow the guys to a local gay-frequented bar, or into nearbly dunes to cruise.

 

Currency and Money

Portugal is part of the Euro Zone, so the euro is the accepted currency. There are plenty of ATMs downtown.

 

Media and resources

Good online resources include Queer Lisboa for the LGBT Film Festival, and the general websites GoLisbon and The Lisbon Connection.

Lisbon Beach has a guide to gay Lisbon, in addition to their information on local beaches.

Lisbon Gay Tours travel agency, offers gay sightseeing trips around the city and surrounding areas; straight-friendly too.

 

Going OutGoing Out
Bars, cafes and nightclubs are very mixed here, with straight and gay, men and women, to be found throughout the scene. The city has become a favorite party destination for young Europeans and a good place to find all the trendiest international DJs.

Bar 106 (Rua de São Marçal 106), mixed international cocktail lounge, party bar and restaurant, open nightly to 2am, with game events.

Bardot (Travessa da Espera 54), relaxed Bairro Alto gay-friendly young locals bar, DJ music. Former Sétimo Céu.

Bar Espaço 40e1 (Rua da Barroca, 41), small warm-up before-the-clubs bar at the center of the "Gay Corner."

Club Cru (Rua de Sao Marçal 170), new men's cruise bar, open nightly, leather fetish and naked nights, Monday cabaret. Former Agua-no-Bica site.

Clube da Esquina (Rua Barroca 30-32 ), men/women, straight/gay, neighborhood cocktails hangout, big windows on busy street, DJ music.

Construction (Rua Cecilio de Sousa 84), men's nightclub, open midnight to 6am, bear popular, foam parties. Former Bric-a-bar.

Finalmente (Rua da Palmeira 38) late night drag bar with elaborate and glamorous shows from 3am, open nightly until 6am.

Frágil (Rua da Atalaia 126-128), big, two-floor dance club opposite Portas Largas bar, mixed but gayest on weekends.

Kremlin (Escadinhas da Praia 5), big weekend deep progressive house dance club, open to 8am, varied crowd of all kinds, including gay people.

Le Marais (Rua Santa Catarina, 28, Bairro Alto), mixed crowd internet cafe and bar; cocktails, French delicacies include Soupe de Champagne.

Les Mauvais Garçons (Rua da Rosa 39, Bairro Alto) cozy, relaxed bistro, mixed international crowd, Wi-Fi access.

LuxFrágil (Avenida Infante D. Henrique, warehouse A), large, popular, industrial decor dance club, mixed upscale crowd, gayest on weekends.

Mar Adentro (Rua do Alecrim, 35), bar, coffeeshop, internet cafe, casual and friendly international mixed crowd, magazines and local info.

Portas Largas (Rua Atalaia 105, Bairro Alto), small, famous old tavern at the center, open earlier than most; live weekend music, mixed crowd.

Purex (Rua das Salgadeiras, 28), no sign, but a bright orange door, gay and lesbian-friendly cocktail bar, dance boîte with DJs.

TR3S Lisboa (Rua Ruben António Leitão 2a), men's bar, open from 4pm, bears, big guys and friends, multi-national, crowd.

Trumps (Rua da Imprensa Nacional 104b), large, fashionable, international gay lounge and dance club, stage shows, men and women mix.

Woof LX Bar (Rua da Palmeira 44-b), small bar for masculine men, popular with bears, special events.

For periodic Conga Club indie music dance party dates, see their tweets on Twitter.

 

Sex and Saunas

Cinebolso (Rua Actor Taborda 27b), closeted family guys and hustlers hook up in corners of big straight porn cinema; early evening scene.

Labyrinto (Rua dos Industriais 19/21, Santos-o-Velho), membership club, open daily with roster of weekly events including naked, orgy, underwear nights and private anything-goes parties.

Saun'Apolo (Rua Luciano Cordeiro, 56A), new sauna & steam room complex, cabins, dark room, playspaces, porn video cinema, massage, swingers & youth nights.

Sauna Viriato (Rua do Telhal 4-B), older but clean facility, steam and dry saunas, private cabins, cruising area.

Trombeta Bath (Rua do Trombeta, 1C, Bairro Alto), centrally located, dry and steam saunas, private cabins, porn cinema, dark room, bar.

 

Accommodations

Bairro Alto Hotel (place Luis de Camoes 2), comfortable luxury boutique hotel, 55 rooms on beautiful Bairre Alto square, restaurant, cafe/bar, fitness center, terrace.

Hotel Metropole (Praça Dom Pedro IV, 30, Baixa), classic grand hotel, 1920s Art Deco appointments, great location on Rossio Square, one of most historical and traditional hotels of Lisbon.

Lisbon Poets Hostel (Rua Nova da Trindade 2, Chiado), cobblestone alleyways, charming old streets, trendy district, best shopping, cafes, galleries, nightlife and museums. Cozy and casual, above A Brasileira Cafe, steps from Baixa-Chiado Metro.

My Rainbow Rooms (Saldanha 1, Saldanha), gay B&B, modern apartment, centrally located in quiet residential area 2 minutes walk from Metro station, sophisticated amenities.

Pensão Gerês (Calcada do Garcia 6), central location, comfortable rooms, historic building, bar.

Pouso dos Anjos (Rua dos Anjos, 31), restored mansion, 32 rooms, private baths, English and French speaking staff, private garden, central near metro, shopping area, 5 minutes from Rossio.