We already wrote about the best bars in Porto, the best beer pubs and the best places for cheap drinks in the city.
BUT it was missing a more general guide to the nightlife of the city.
This time we took a different approach: we give you 4 options for restaurants, bars and clubs, to make sure that there is plenty of options for all the budgets. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
1. Where to Eat in Porto
Before you razzle dazzle in the nightlife in Porto, you must have dinner. Therefore, we wrote four suggestions for different budgets.
Bufete Fase
Rua de Santa Catarina, 1147 | Porto
The most iconic dish of Porto happens to be the best “pre-night out” meal: the Francesinha.
Let this laidback café introduce you to the gastronomy of the city. Prepared by the owner himself – with a 30-year experience on the subject – and served by his wife, their “Frenchie” is constantly picked as one of the best ones in town.
You might find a small queue once you get there, but do not worry because you can quench your thirst with a beer as you wait.
Once you sit down, don’t expect a menu or any decision-making: the Francesinha is the only thing they serve at Bufete Fase!
Be warned: it will melt in your mouth and the sauce is borderline addictive.
Price range: 10€ – 20€ pp
Vegetarian Options: No
Reservation: Not accepted
How to get there: the subway station Trindade is a 10 minutes walking distance.
RUA Tapas & Music Bar
Travessa de Cedofeita, 24 | Porto
What’s in a name? In the case of RUA, everything. The urban decoration and style of Porto is brought inside, and the tapas are served with a modern twist.
The goal was to make this restaurant an extension of the street outside, with its tiles and decoration made by renowned local graffiti artist Mr. Dheo. It also features live music from Wednesdays to Sundays.
Get ready to enjoy delicacies such as pork cheek (plated in a jar), shrimp croquettes or a puff pastry Francesinha. For the simple and tasty there are great padron peppers and Patatas Bravas.
Price range: 20€ – 30€ pp
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Reservation: Recommended for more than 4 people (big groups accepted)
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Cruel
Rua da Picaria, 86 | Porto
This place is the first of its kind in Porto, having converted an old furniture store into a dignified modern cuisine restaurant.
Take your time to enjoy the intimate vibe as you go in, because you will soon be faced with the dilemma of the night: do you feel Fearful, Cautious or… Cruel?
The menu is divided in 3 levels, of which Cruel is for the most adventurous. The “Fearful” level includes grilled steer with punched potatoes and the “Cautious” raises the bar with a Diávola Francesinha.
As for the “Cruel”, brace yourself for a Steer Carpaccio with Electric Flower. You start by having the “Sichuan” button in the middle of the plate, which numbs most of your mouth, increases salivation and prepares you for the ultimate gastronomical experience that will follow. Is there a better way to start your journey in the nightlife of Downtown Porto?!
Price range: 25€ – 40€ pp (12€ lunch menu)
Vegetarian Options: No
Reservation: Optional
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Casa D’Oro
Rua do Ouro, 797 | Porto
This Italian restaurant features dishes from several different regions, such as carciofi alla romana (roman artichokes), uovo fritto con tartufo (fried egg with truffles), lasagna di baccalá (codfish lasagna) and an extensive choice of pizzas. It’s 100% Italian approved!
The perfect place for that special dinner you have been promising yourself (or your better half), best enjoyed on one of those Portuguese warm summer nights. This restaurant is also very popular among families with kids.
If you come during winter, you will be received with blankets on their covered terrace ,because such well-crafted food is best paired with the most unforgettable view.
Price range: 15€ – 30€ pp
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Reservation: Optional
How to get there: take the bus 500 or the tram 1.
2. Where to Drink in Porto
With a full stomach and a fulfilled soul, you are now just a short walk away from the next step of the nightlife in Porto… Between 23h and 2h, there are plenty of places to be.
Miradouro Ignez
Rua da Restauração, 252 | Porto
The best part of a hilly city is that you are fabulously rewarded for your efforts! At Miradouro Ignez, one of the best rooftops in Porto, you can fully appreciate the nighttime beauty of Porto, with a romantic view over the douro river.
Not only your eyes will be soaring high: they serve a selection of wines from the several Portuguese wine regions, sangria, Port wine cocktails and national and international beers.
Price range: 4€ – 10€
Smoking: Fully Outdoor Bar
Mood: Sit down and relax
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 15 minutes walking distance.
Aduela
Rua das Oliveiras, 36 | Porto
Time to feel the vibe of the city. And what better way to do it than the local favourite, Aduela?
The place to be when it comes to that after dinner glass of wine, full of personality and an easy going atmosphere. Let its world music and and the warmth of the nightlife in Porto blow you away from your worries.
If you can’t decide amongst the election of wines from several Portuguese wine regions, don’t be afraid to ask. Its helpful staff will be happy to guide you through the menu, onto that drink you didn’t know you want to have.
We recommend the “Letra” craft beer series, made in the Green Wine region (North of Portugal).
Price range: 3€ – 10€ pp
Smoking: Outdoor Terrace
Mood: Sit down and chat
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Royal Cocktail Club
Rua da Fábrica, 105 | Porto
For those of you looking for a rather special place in the nightlife in Porto, welcome to the most exclusive bar in the city.
This club is divided in two floors: the top floor presents a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. The bottom floor is more selective and reservation pending. In there, you will be encouraged to choose your cocktail by simply rolling dices on the house-made Monopoly cocktail game, in this American speakeasy inspired room.
Offering an appealing choice of signature cocktails, a Royal Moscow Mule (Absolut Elyx, lime, ginger beer and pistachio foam) is just one of the 16 mixtures that the craft bartenders are eager to present to you. The most original and secretive cocktails of the city awaits you.
Price range: 8€ – 20€
Smoking: No
Mood: Sit down and chat
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club
Largo Actor Dias, 51 | Porto
We’ll cut straight to the point: the hottest Jazz and Blues events in town are happening right here. When it comes to live sessions, Hot Five is the definite must of the nightlife in Porto.
To quench your thirst we suggest picking up the vinyls at the bar and choosing one of their gins. If juniper berries are not your poison, rest assured that the classic Vodka Sour or Mojitos will meet your drinking needs. It goes without saying, beer always on tap!
Price range: 2€ – 7€ (Cover fee / Ticket prices may apply: usually 5€ for a concert)
Smoking: Upper floor
Mood: Music bar
How to get there: the subway station São Bento is a 10 minutes walking distance.
3. Where to Dance in Porto
Warmed up and ready to go? It’s time to get down to the dance floor! We’ve already published an article about the Best Places to Dance in Porto, but these are some of our favourites:
Galerias de Paris
Rua da Galeria de Paris, 56 | Porto
We have already elected “Galerias de Paris” as one of the best bars in the city, as this place is synonym with the nightlife in Porto.
Its unique decoration made with old toys, hanging cars, a human-size Sylvester the Cat and Tweety as well as a trumpets chandelier makes this one of the most eccentric places in town. Presenting live music Wednesdays to Sundays, followed by resident DJ’s that will keep you moving with an eclectic playlist of modern hits and oldies.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along to Bohemian Rhapsody while ordering a beer at the bar.
Price: Free Entrance (2€ beer and 5€ cocktails)
Smoking: No
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Porto Tónico
Rua de Cândido dos Reis, 96 | Porto
A major reference in the nightlife in Porto, “Porto Tónico” is one of the coolest and rowdiest bars in the Galerias de Paris area.
Come on in and make your way to the dance floor dancing to the latest hits. When things get a little warm, just freshen up at the bar with their signature Port and Tonic (or a Gin and Tonic, for the most traditional). If you’re not quite getting into the tune there’s always another room on the bottom floor!
Surely one of the most socially prone bars of Downtown Porto! Just don’t ask us what’s in a Port and Tonic….
Price: Free Entrance (2€ beer and 5€ cocktails)
Smoking: Yes, throughout the whole facility
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Maus Hábitos
Rua de Passos Manuel, 178 | Porto
“Bad Habits”, in its English translation, is an unusual place. It can be defined as a restaurant, a bar, an art gallery, a concert venue and a cultural intervention center.
The urban feel invades you straight at the entrance. Don’t expect a red carpet, as to go in you have to get into the building’s elevator (“Is it working today?” is not an uncommon question to ask), or venture 4 flights of stairs through a car park.
But once you get up there, with its open sky terraces, agenda-filled concert venue, permanent art gallery and a comfortable sitting area, there is really no excuse to skip the most contemporary and bustling cultural scene around.
Price: Free Entrance (2€ beer and 5€ cocktails) – occasional cover fee
Smoking: Outdoor terrace and concert venue
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Plano B
Rua de Cândido dos Reis, 30 | Porto
A favourite of locals and visitors alike, “Plano B” is a greatest hit in the nightlife in Porto.
It’s got a place for everyone. From their chill-out area on the top floor with a bar, down the stairs onto hang-out area with two bars and a statue in the middle of the room, where you are able to chat and decide whether to dance along to a mix of pop/rock tunes or groove in the electronic dance floor.
The music is eclectic, and so are the people. One of the most diverse nightclubs we know of, there will never be a boring moment at “Plano B”.
It’s no accident that the ‘B’ in “Plan B” is, actually, an upside-down ‘A’.
Price: 5€ cover entrance (with two 2,5€ beers included, or a 5€ cocktail)
Smoking: Yes, throughout the whole facility
How to get there: the subway station Aliados is a 5 minutes walking distance.
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