Although Pensão Amor used to be a brothel (the name translates as "Love House"), and still has many of its original features including furry walls, it’s now one of the most popular bars in Lisbon, near Cais do Sodre and yes, this was a cheap pension with rooms rented by the hour to prostitutes and their clients to enjoy a short moment of love.
The decadent mood is further set by careful attention to period details right down to the faux, trompe l'oeil ceiling and pub-style piano. The bar serves a great selection of beers, wine, spirits and cocktails and guests are further entertained by regular live music performances, burlesque shows and clean and tasteful pole dancing exhibitions in an adjoining salon.
The burlesque shows are fantastic and the urge to do a workshop after watching one is huge, which you can also do in Pensão Amor.
The upper floors are occupied by a number of independent retailers, many specialising in alternative fashion and handcrafted jewellery. It is great to find an original and unique gift for someone special. For me this is one of the highlights of this spot because you can do several things at the same time in the same place.
Find your way with 206 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Pho Pu is a small and busy Vietnamese restaurant in Lisbon. It's cheap and serves generous portions. Oh, how much I'd missed vibrant Vietnamese food...
by
"LX Factory" Lisbon is a creative mini-city that has everything from interesting architecture to music, home to design companies, galleries and studios.
by
"Coral Colection" in Lisbon is a pleasant collective that brings together handmade pasta and craft beer - and it's also an open space for performances!
by
"Gelados Conchanata" Lisbon is a original gelato bar opened by the Tarlattini's in 1948, offering a rich selection of the Italian favorites. My favorite!
by
"Jorge D'Amália" is a tasca in Lisbon that serves amazing bitoques, steaks with a horseback fried egg. In my opinion it doesn't get more Lisboan than this.
by
"Miradouro Keil do Amaral" in Lisbon goes completely unnoticed in the middle of Monsanto forest... I think it's a magical place where I go to just relax.
by
You can find the "Lisbon Irish Sessions" every Monday at 21:30 at O'Gillins Irish pub. Cause Portuguese folk has a lot in common with Celtic music!
by
The "Carmo Archaeological Museum", built at an old church that barely survived the 1755 earthquake, enchants me every time I visit. Open-air concerts, too!
by
"Marvila & Beato" are two neighborhoods in Lisbon going through beautiful and well-thought out gentrification which when done bad has spoilt other places.
by
"Jardim do Cerco da Graça" is the biggest green area inside the historical zone in Lisbon. I'm very proud about writing and enjoying this spot!
by
"Dalí Cozinha Surreal" in Lisbon is a restaurant whose whole concept is serving surreally creative, good food, also inspired by world cuisine!
by
"Mercearia do Páteo Alfacinha" Lisbon is a old restaurant that's been around since 1981 which has a piece of history attached to it and a delicious menu!
by
206 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 206 Insider Tips