A quiet residential neighborhood by day and bar hopping destination by night, Bairro Alto in Lisbon is a well-known area of the city. Its alternative entertainment vibe from the 1980s may be long gone, but Bairro Alto still attracts hundreds of locals and tourists on weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The atmosphere is casual and most bars are too small to stay inside. Therefore the crowds of clients standing outside with drinks are the neighborhood\u2019s trademark image. But don\u2019t get too comfortable\u2014once you finish your drink, it\u2019s time to move on to the next place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Discover](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bairro-alto-lisbon-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTop 5 Bars in Bairro Alto in Lisbon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lisboans have learned not to grow too attached to bars in Bairro Alto, although some of them insist on staying put despite the recent trend to move further down towards Cais do Sodr\u00e9. Most of the bars in Bairro Alto in Lisbon are budget-friendly and a favorite hang out spot for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Rua do Di\u00e1rio de Not\u00edcias<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In honor of Bairro Alto\u2019s true spirit, let\u2019s start with not one bar but a street full of them. Rua Di\u00e1rio de Not\u00edcias is the neighborhood\u2019s central street, jam-packed with iconic Lisbon bars like P\u00e1ginas Tantas<\/a> with live jazz music or Nova Tert\u00falia Bar<\/a>. If you\u2019re not sure what bars to pick, this street is a great first start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a view over Baixa and the Bairro Alto behind it, The Ins\u00f3lito<\/a> is for many the first stop for drinks and sometimes dinner. A sort of place to kill time before the streets of Bairro Alto come to life and a recommended bar for enthusiasts of signature cocktails with witty names. The view is their best asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its young age (this pub and disco opened in late 2016), Cheers<\/a> took over the space of what was once the very first bar in Bairro Alto, Fr\u00e1gil. In the 1980s, all of the city\u2019s artists wandered to this place for alternative entertainment. Now, the current owners admit they target mostly tourists. Nevertheless, drop by if you want to be at a place that once revolutionized Lisbon\u2019s cultural and artistic scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the corner of Rua da Barroca, Clube da Esquina<\/a> is one of the classic spots in Bairro Alto in Lisbon. It’s an affordable bar that completely fits the too-small-to-stay-inside profile. Everything in this bar, from the name (esquina<\/em> is Portuguese for street corner) to the drinks on the menu, is literal and straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically known by its acronym ZDB, this is much more than just a Bairro Alto bar. In fact, we don\u2019t think it\u2019s an exaggeration to call it a cultural institution. Established in 1994 by a group of artists, Z\u00e9 dos Bois<\/a> has been the main stage in the city for alternative and exploratory music since then. Here, music and art are priceless and drinks are cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel 20 years back in time, and no one would advise you to stay in Bairro Alto. Residents were old-timers and budget-friendly students who didn\u2019t mind the noise at night and being close to the bars. But Lisbon is a city that constantly reinvents itself and there are now more accommodation options in Bairro Alto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long before hotels saw Bairro Alto as a business opportunity, tourists were going for short-term rentals in the area. However, most locals would prefer to have fewer people buzzing the wrong doorbell late at night. Therefore, places like the aparthotel Raw Culture<\/a> are a great mix of the like a local experience, supporting the local community, and having all the commodities of a hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can a hostel and a luxury hotel coexist under the same roof? Not only can they, but at The Independente<\/a> they do. This hotel has a view of the most romantic viewpoint in Lisbon, Miradouro de S\u00e3o Pedro de Alc\u00e2ntara<\/a> and the only requirement is that all guests must be over 16 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lumiares<\/a> blends luxury with a casual atmosphere in the heart of Bairro Alto in Lisbon. Breakfasts and evening cocktails are served on the rooftop, so you\u2019re gifted with a spectacular view before and after a day out exploring the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating out in Bairro Alto<\/a> is usually an expensive decision. If you\u2019re traveling on a budget, there are cheaper options around Largo de Cam\u00f5es which happens to be the long-time meeting point before heading out to the bars in Bairro Alto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re keen on the experience, top recommended restaurants in Bairro Alto include chef Ljubomir Stanisic\u2019s 100 Maneiras<\/a>, with a menu full of his signature dishes, and Caf\u00e9 Luso<\/a>, where they pair traditional Portuguese food with live fado music<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The top thing to do in Bairro Alto is, of course, bar hopping at night. But on a Sunday in Lisbon<\/a>, visit the neighborhood during the day and you\u2019ll see a completely different side. Not only will you find it less crowded\u2014it’ll seem deserted since most of the building\u2019s first floors are bars. However, you\u2019ll still see a glimpse of typical neighborhood life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But one thing most people don\u2019t know is that Bairro Alto is the best spot in the city for alternative shops, the majority of them owned by small, local entrepreneurs. Here you can find anything from nuts and bolts at Casa Travanca Capucho<\/a>, one of Lisbon\u2019s historic stores, to several vintage clothes shops, to art supplies. Even if you\u2019re just window shopping, taking a day to explore them is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ultimate spot for sightseeing is the viewpoint S\u00e3o Pedro de Alc\u00e2ntara<\/a> and riding down to Restauradores<\/a> in the Gl\u00f3ria funicular<\/a> is mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. The Ins\u00f3lito<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Cheers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Clube da Esquina<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Z\u00e9 dos Bois<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Largo](\"https:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bairro-alto-lisbon-largo-camoes-meeting-point-at-night.jpg\")
Where to Stay in Bairro Alto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Raw Culture Bairro Alto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. The Independente Hostel & Suites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. The Lumiares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where to Eat in Bairro Alto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Luso,](\"https:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bairro-alto-lisbon-fado-house-luso.jpg\")
Top things to do in Bairro Alto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bairro](\"https:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bairro-alto-lisbon-by-day.jpg\")