12 Best Bars in Porto, Portugal

A cozy Spanish corner in Porto's bustling downtown where locals and visitors mingle over authentic tapas and Spanish wines. The rustic-chic decor creates the perfect backdrop for sampling their vermouth-infused drinks. Come early evening to secure a spot—tables fill quickly with a fashionable crowd seeking pre-dinner drinks or a full tapas experience. The convivial atmosphere turns livelier as the night progresses, making it an ideal starter for your evening adventures.

A 19th-century chapel might be the last place you'd expect to head to for a night out, and indeed the name of this beautiful wine bar translates to "unusual chapel." The interior space is a cozy retreat in winter, but in summer everybody moves to tables set out on the flagstones outside. Wherever you choose to sit, wine can be ordered by the glass or bottle and enjoyed with a feast of Portuguese cheeses and cured meats. Book in advance if you're coming here on the weekend.

Porto may be awash with opportunities to enjoy a craft beer, but Catraio is where the trend began. Leading the charge for a new wave of laidback spaces serving Portuguese and international artisanal beers, Catraio opened in 2015 to an enthusiastic welcome from Porto's hop-loving community and has been a favorite ever since. You can hunker down in the cozy interior during winter, or enjoy the lively beer garden when the sun shines.

Part collectibles and photography shop, part bar and live music venue, Embaixada do Porto is wholly unique. Peer in at the colorful collection of vintage dolls and pop artifacts before wandering upstairs to catch a local band or taking a seat on the terrace for a glass of wine.

For live music from international acts and rising stars of the local music scene, head to this club inside a magnificent 18th-century market hall. There are three rooms, hosting events that range from standup comedy to all-night techno raves. There's also an exhibition space on the ground floor, and an airy café upstairs that attracts a hip young crowd.

A meeting place for Porto's artists, intellectuals, and alternative types, Maus Hábitos—meaning "Bad Habits"—is a gallery, restaurant, and cultural center, and also one of hippest nightlife spots in town. The mixed of nightly events ranges from DJ sets to live theater to dance parties.

At this sophisticated wine bar, passionate sommelier Diogo Amado offers perfect suggestions for the best beverages to pair with plates of carefully chosen petiscos. The gorgeous space with stone walls and bottles displayed like works of art hosts frequent live music performances.

Opened in late 2021, Torto has become a focal point of Porto's trendy nightlife scene. The 1908 Moorish-influenced building is famous locally for its colorful tiles and ornate arched windows, and the visual drama continues once you step inside thanks to a huge mural from Lisbon-based street art collective Crack Kids. The emphasis on aesthetics extends to the colorful cocktails, all prepared with great care, and there are tasty bar snacks to accompany an eclectic musical menu.

As the name suggests, this kiosk bar is situated at the heart of Porto's sightseeing and nightlife action. Set in leafy gardens next to the famous Clérigos Tower, the popular bar serves everything from 11 am espresso to midnight caipirinhas. There's no food on the menu, but if you want to relax with a drink beneath sun or stars, there's no better place to do it.

At this bohemian bookstore-turned-bar, you can sip wines and cocktails at the bar or take a seat at the pleasant outdoor terrace. There's a small, vegetarian-friendly menu of snacks to soak up some of the alcohol.

A 2021 arrival on Porto's social scene, Dona Mira is a labor of love from two Brazilian music producers who hosted major names at their studio in Rio de Janeiro before moving to Portugal. A laidback, music-focused clientele flocks here to chat and dance on the terrace and, although the atmosphere is wonderfully laidback, there are some seriously good coffees, craft beers, and cocktails on the menu.

With a prime riverfront location at the top of Espaço Porto Cruz, a cultural center dedicated to the country's wines, this ranks among the best of the city's rooftop bars. It serves light meals and snacks by day, then transforms into a happening nightspot once the sun starts to dip below the horizon. As the name suggests, the views are expansive.