Portuguese society was very conservative in the last century and until the 1980s. Today, Lisbon is a liberal, tolerant city. In fact, Portugal is considered to be the country with the fewest homophobic attacks in Europe.
As for Lisbon, it is loved first and foremost for its beauty. But it is also a bustling city with a mild climate, art on every street corner and a rhythm that allows you to take your time. The LGBT community has a strong presence in the capital, making it a destination of choice for gay travellers from all over Europe.
Our passion at VisitmyLisbon.com is to show you the most beautiful facets of Lisbon, its colors, its stories, its smiling grandmothers… If, like us, you are sensitive to BEAUTY, feel free to choose a private tour of Lisbon with us.
Where is the gay district of Lisbon located ? Only one place : Principe Real. It is without any doubt the area where the city’s trendiest gay bars and discos are concentrated. In the Bairro Alto (a stone’s throw from Principe Real) you will find many gay-friendly establishments.
And so the two districts are closely linked for parties. You can start with a drink in the Bairro Alto and end up in the clubs of Principe Real.
Principe Real is also a very friendly place to live with its gardens, concept stores, art galleries, cafés and themed restaurants. On weekends, don’t miss the organic market, the only one in central Lisbon !
Bar 106 is a monument of the Lisbon gay scene, if not one of the pioneers. The establishment offers many entertaining, spectacular evenings and even thematic evenings such as Sunday massages. A great way to make friends, under the blessing of a more than friendly staff.
Monday-Thursday : 21h-02h
Friday-Sunday : 21h-03h
Rua de São Marçal, 106
Bar Cru is a cruising bar for naturists and fetishists with an erotic cabaret. The more the hour goes by, the higher the temperature rises ! On Tuesdays and Sundays, full nudity is required. Undoubtedly the hottest gay bar in town.
Sunday-Thursdat : 17h-02h
Friday-Saturday : 17h-03h
Rua de São Marçal, 170
This gay-friendly bar is the most famous in rua da Rosa (Bairro Alto). It used to be called only Pride. Today, Burlesque Club Lisbon has undergone a new change in its name to attract a tourist and non-LGBT audience. But the atmosphere is still there and you will always have the opportunity to have fun in this non-consensual establishment.
Sunday-Thursday : 22h-02h
Closed on Tuesday
Saturday-Sunday : 22h-03h
Rua da Rosa, 159
Clube da Esquina is a gay-friendly bar located in the heart of the streets frequented by Lisbon’s LGBT community. The friendly music, the quality of the DJs, the space but also the prices are all assets that attract a lot of gay revellers. At number 23, you will find Side Bar, another lively gay bar. DJ, l’espace mais également les prix pratiqués sont autant d’atouts qui attirent bon nombre de fêtards gays. Au numéro 23, vous trouverez Side Bar, un autre bar gay très animé.
Monday-Thursday 19h-02h
Friday-Saturday 19h-03h
Sunday 21h-02h
Rua da Barroca, 30
Small gay-friendly bar in the lively Bairro Alto district. With good music and the right atmosphere, Espaço 40 e 1 is the perfect place to start a Lisbon night that promises to be epic.
Monday-Thursday 21h30-02h
Friday-Saturday 21h30-03h
Rua da Barroca 41
Friends is a gay-friendly bar, mostly frequented by the LGBT community in Lisbon. Its concept differs from others because before becoming a nightlife hotspot where you can sip gin and tonic, Friends is by day a gay café where you can enjoy the books in its library. Service, atmosphere and music are impeccable.
Sunday-Wednesday : 18h-02h
Thursday-Saturday : 18h-03h
Travessa da Agua da Flor, 17
Portas Largas is yet another establishment in Bairro Alto where locals and tourists mix. With its large area, it is the perfect place to warm up the dancefloor, to warm yourself. The musical programme is very varied, ranging from funk to fado, live or with a DJ.
Open daily from 18h to 2h.
Rua da Atalaia, 105
It is without doubt one of the few bars in Bairro Alto that still retains its cachet from the neighbourhood’s glory days in the 70s and 80s. Jukeboxes, table football and a very diverse public make up this joyful picture. It is an excellent meeting point to start the evening. The lesbian community is mainly represented in this establishment.
Monday : 22h-02h
Tuesday-Saturday : 19h-02h
Rua da Atalaia, 154
Of all the Bairro Alto, Purex is the most famous gay-friendly bar. A must-see stop on any party night for the LGBT community. If there is little space to dance, it is always packed at the weekend. With its retro-chic design, the bar is a great place to party to the sound of electro music. Sometimes trans dancers are added to the show. If the audience is predominantly gay, you will meet a very heteroclite audience.
Sunday-Thursday : 22h-02h
Closed on Monday
Friday-Saturday : 22h-03h
Rua das Salgadeiras 28
Shelter is a bar to be classified in the « Bear » category but it is open to all types of public. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere for this establishment which, like the Tr3s, offers an afternoon opening. It’s perfect to enjoy a homemade beer with friends and enjoy happy hours.
Sunday-Thursday : 18h-02h
Friday-Saturday : 18h-03h
Rua da Palmeira 43 A
Tr3s has been named one of the 10 best bear bars in the world by Bear World Magazine ! Even if it is, the whole LGBT community can be found there as it is probably the most relaxed bar in the gay district of Principe Real. The special thing about this establishment is that it also opens in the afternoon (4pm) and it’s perfect for getting together with friends after a hard day’s work.
Sunday-Thursday : 16h-02h
Friday-Saturday : 16h-03h
Rua Ruben A. Leitão, 2
Old school bar, one of the oldest in Lisbon. Welcome to the Viking bar ! Mixed public, consensual music with stripteases at 01h and 3h. If it can be noisy and touristy, chances are you’ll have a great time !
Monday to Saturday : 23h – 06h
Rua Nova do Carvalho, 7
Cruising bar exclusively reserved for gays, those who are fetishists or hardcore, daddies, bears… Famous for its « dark room », the Woof X offers a narrow space but which does not disturb the partygoers at all because here, we are looking for contact ! On Sunday and Monday, it’s Rock-On night !
Open daily 22h-4h
Rua Manuel Bernardes, 2B
The Construction Club is a gay & hetero-friendly nightclub. Very famous in Lisbon, it organizes the biggest parties in the capital with internationally renowned DJs (tech-house, house, electro). Reopened in 2016, it offers a modern, even futuristic environment. Big parties guaranteed !
If you are on the beaches of Costa da Caparica, on the south shore of Lisbon, the Mister Gay club is the place to have a saturday night fever ! Famous for its transformist shows, Mister Gay has just reopened and for the moment only offers Saturday nights.
Open from midnight to 6am on Saturdays only.
Azinhaga Urraca 3VL, Sobreda
The Finalmente is one of the oldest gay clubs in the city. Open every day, it is constantly crowded with revellers from all over the world. In addition to the festive atmosphere, the entire LGBT community comes together to enjoy memorable drag shows and cross-dressing.
Every day from midnight to 6 a.m.
Rua da Palmeira 38
The Posh Club is inspired by the Posh of Beirut where Arabic, house, RnB and techno music is played. Recently opened, it attracts the entire LGBT community because of its fantastic stage performances. The audience, usually gay and transvestites, arrive in the evening with their straight friends. In Lisbon, people wiggle on the dance floor to the sound of pop, funk and techno music.
Friday-Saturday : 00h-06h
Rua de São Bento, 157
It is the most famous nightclub in the country and probably the biggest as well. Attracting a gay and lesbian crowd at the same time, Trumps offers 2 dance floors with 2 different atmospheres. The first with house/dance, the second with pop music and classics from the gay culture (Madonna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga). There is also a quiet area to chat.
Thursday-Saturday : 00h-06h
Rua da Imprensa Nacional, 104B
Lisbon’s « march of pride » takes place every year at the end of June. Called « Arraial Lisboa Pride » by ILGA, it is part of the programme of the June popular festivities organised in Lisbon. Every year more than 60,000 people come together to defend the LGBT movement in Portugal and around the world. In the afternoon, a parade is organised before it all ends in Commerce square for a great party with a dozen free concerts.
Olissipo Bath is Lisbon’s newest gay sauna. It offers a modern men’s spa on the Avenida da Liberdade side. Facilities include a sauna, a huge Jacuzzi and a Turkish bath. There is also a massage parlour and private cabins. A bar with lounge offers the perfect space to socialise after your sauna session.
Open every day from 12h to 02h.
Rua do Telhal 5
SaunApolo 56 is a mixed sauna swingers, unique in its concept all in a luxurious atmosphere. This establishment is dedicated exclusively to the relaxation and pleasure of its guests. SauApolo56 offers massages, a glory holes room, a XXX cinema room, collective showers, a sling, a dark room, spa treatments as well as a bar with a buffet area for refreshments. The space can be rented for parties (stag party, film shoots) and regularly organises mask and fetish parties, but not only that !
Open daily between 14h & 04h
Rua Luciano Cordeiro 56A
Trombeta is one of Lisbon’s best-known gay saunas. If you want to relax after work (or a long day of sightseeing) or early in the morning after a crazy night, Trombeta is the perfect place. It is also a popular place for cruising on Sunday afternoons. Admission at €16 includes a towel, flip-flops, a locker, condoms and lubricant. The establishment is bright, modern and clean. In addition to the sauna and hammam, you have at your disposal relaxation cabins and a lively dark room.
Monday-Thursday : 12h-06h
Friday-Monday : 12h-06h NON STOP
Rua do Trombeta, 1C
Situated on the south shore of Lisbon, the beaches of Costa da Caparica are undoubtedly the most beautiful in the region. The sand is fine, urbanisation almost non-existent, beach clubs every 500 metres…in short, it is a perfect environment for holidays.
Praia 19 will undoubtedly be your place of choice. Located near the 19 stop of the little beach train, it is legally naturist and it is the only one in the area so enjoy… in Adam’s outfit!
If you want to know more about our favourite beaches, we advise you to have a look at our special report « Lisbon’s beaches »!
© VisitmyLisbon.com – 2021
