Cachupa is Cabo Verde's national dish - a stew of boiled beans and corn with fish or meat. Those who eat it (I am a vegetarian) say it is lovely. And you can have it right here in Lisbon. Cachupa is the name for a restaurant that is not really a restaurant. I'll explain: It is (or was) somebody's home on the last floor of nº73 in Rua do Poço dos Negros - and at 3am every day, they open the living room to the public. Needless to say, the Cachupa is not an official restaurant. However, it is an excellent spot to drink in a "homey" environment or have a good late-night meal. The place (best way to describe it) starts filling up after 5am and I have no idea when it closes. But after sunrise, for sure. The regulars, the movie characters, the owner (Sr. Vitor) and everything that happens here won't be your regular night out. You will, without a doubt, leave Cachupa with a story to tell. Trust me :)

Walking into this bar is like walking back in time. In a good sense. Clandestino is one of the first bars to open in the Bairro Alto nightife scene over ten years ago. The walls will tell you that - they are completely full of writings on the wall: "X and Y forever" "x loves y" "x was here" "hasta la victoria siempre" and other creative phrases from back in the day until now . What bar nowadays lets you do that (other than behind the bathroom door)? And we can tell you the soundtrack straight up: Manu Chao, Nirvana, U2, Pixies or Pearl Jam will be playing. Guaranteed. Don't forget the shot of the house ;)

80's. Bar 21 in Bairro Alto has a DJ every day that loves the 80's. So don't be surprised to hear The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division or... Boy George. The surrounding area is always full of people and the music coming from the bar always helps to shake that drunk booty and liven up the nightlife in Bairro Alto. The bar itself - like most bars in Bairro Alto - is small. So, best to stand outside, have a beer, have a chat, make way for the taxis with dumb, stupid "bifes" in them and go back in for another one. And come out again. It's a vicious cycle.

The ERASMUS spot in Bairro Alto. If you are looking for other ERASMUS students in Bairro Alto, this is the place to be. More and more ERASMUS students are finding this spot in Bairro Alto and making it their second home. Drinks are the average bar price in Bairro Alto and Margheritas are their speciality.

YGGY Lounge Bar opened up December 2006 and can proudly proclaim its place as one of the cheapest bars in Bairro Alto. Both in beers and spirits. And unlike other cheap bars in Bairro Alto (which are tascas, really), YGGY is actually a lounge bar. Good music, modern looking decor and to add to that 2 Mozambican dudes who are very cool serving up the cheap drinks. That's 75 cents a beer or €2.50 a mixer :)

"Association of Madmen and Dreamers" is the direct translation of the name of the bar. And a bar with a name like this, it can only be good. A euro a beer, shelves and shelves full of books and a bar/basement full of madmen and dreamers in Bairro Alto. Need I say more?

A bit of everything happens in Chapitô. It has to be one of the bars with the best views over a city in Europe. Excellent spot to start your nightlife with a dinner followed by drinks, and accompanied by juggling acts, performances, projections, exhibitions or whatever is on culturally. Not only is this is a bar and restaurant, but it also offers courses and workshops - check the courses section. If you are going to have dinner there, it is advisable to reserve in advance...

This is the type of bar I always imagined Jazz bars in New York would look like - but in Lisbon. Smoky atmosphere, good jazz music in the background and drinks to take you late into the night. Cocktails or beer. Bar stools or sofas. Make your choice. As long as the company is good, Páginas Tantas can make a great start (or end) to your night...

One of the best spots in Lisbon for a good late night dinner. How many restaurants in the world do you know that are open for 20 hours per day (McDonalds and similar don't count as restaurants)? You can have a snack before going out at night and have breakfast after coming back. And the food is delicious. And quite cheap. The bar\restaurant is a classic spot that has survived generations since the 60s. One of those very rare places that you don't get to see these days...

A little music box opened up December 2006 in Cais do Sodré. In it, you will find music. And music. Followed by more music. Music Box promises to become a prime spot in the Lisbon nightlife scene. A variety of gigs are on every week, chosen to satisfy all rock, dance, hip-hop, reggae, dubstep... basically, all music lovers. A VJ is present every night to project images on the video wall, the decor is just right and we love those arches on Rua Nova do Carvalho (no, nothing to do with those golden, yellow, capitalistic arches that students love so much...). Drinks could be liiitttllee bit cheaper...