The 21 best clubs in Lisbon

Fancy a night dancing to African rhythms? If your answer is yes, then B. Leza is probably your best option, although the club plays other music too. More than just a club or performance venue, this is a Lisbon institution, where nights always start with a concert before the DJs come on, and the large dancefloor has views of the river. Got two left feet? You’re in luck – every once in a while, the club holds workshops where you can perfect your moves

A few years ago, Copenhagen was known for its popular after-hours parties. Then, it got a makeover. Now, hip-hop and its offshoots (dancehall, batida, and all its African subgenres) reign supreme. The programme runs from Monday to Sunday – yes, Copenhagen never closes. It offers a selection of Portuguese and international rap, curated by a roster of trusted DJs.

Finalmente, one of Lisbon’s most iconic LGBTQ+ clubs, boasts over 40 years of history. Performances by Deborah Kristall, a drag persona created by Fernando Santos (featured in the 2009 film Morrer como um Homem/Die Like a Man, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues), is one of the biggest draws. She shares the stage with other major players in the Lisbon scene, including Jenny Larue, Samantha Rox, and other stars. Finalemente is still one of the best places in the city to go out any day of the week, even on a Monday.

In this late-night club (which is only open at the weekend or public holidays) things only really get started at dawn. In recent years, Harbour, along the Lisbon riverfront, has become one of the most popular after-hours spots in Cais do Sodré, featuring a monthly programme that focuses on electronic music.

As a general rule, the music played in this club (which is separated into an upper floor and a basement where the dancefloor is located) is indie. At over 30 years old, Incógnito was the city’s first alternative space, and is probably the most respected institution around São Bento – a bastion of integrity and consistency where the state of music has been discussed for years.

Tokyo and Jamaica, two iconic spots from Cais do Sodré, have now moved into a shared space closer to the river. Inside, Tokyo still focuses on live music with a small stage, while Jamaica continues to play pop and rock hits. Start your night in Tokyo and end up in Jamaica – and all without jetlag. 

Recently, Create Art, a creative hub under development, moved to Prior Velho, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lisbon. Inside, you’ll find nightclub Komplex, which operates on Fridays and Saturdays until 8.00 am, featuring an international electronic music lineup. However, the four-story venue is much more than just a club, with new offerings expected in the near future.

There can't be many Lisbonites who are unfamiliar with Kremlin’s dancefloor. Since the 1980s, this nightclub in Escadinhas da Praia in Santos has been making bodies sway to the sound of great electronic music. Its history also includes several violent incidents, which led to its closure in 2011, but since Filipe Martins and Fernando Rodrigues took over five years later, there have been no such reports. While keeping the peace, the duo has also made some small changes to the venue, the most significant announced in December 2023. The club has had a facelift, with new decor and a lighting system.

We’re not exaggerating when we say that the Lounge is one of the best spots in Lisbon for a night out. Its line-up is one of the venue’s biggest draws, catering to all tastes. On a typical night – even a Sunday – you might start with a raw, sweaty rock ‘n’ roll concert and end up dancing to obscure disco tracks at four in the morning. Best of all, entry is free. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the bar is so popular it’s hard to find a spot to dance, let alone get in line for the bathroom

Watching the sunrise from the Lux balcony is a must for any Lisbon local or visitor, and it’s not just us who love it: in 2014, the Guardian named it as one of the 25 best nightclubs in Europe. This isn't just the most famous nightclub in the city, but probably the whole of Portugal. Its doors opened on September 29 1998, the penultimate day of Expo 98. The music is electronic, and there are live performances every week.