Just as soon as the sun sets, these narrow streets begin filling with entertainment seekers.

Often, and particularly on friday and saturday nights, the young clientele gather by the doors of bars, spilling out into the streets, listening to music, talking and laughing.

Move on over to Príncipe Real for one of the city’s longest established and most distinctive venues, the Pavilhão Chinês, open from 2 pm to 2 am. This ‘Chinese Pavilion’ proffers a very unique and welcoming ambience. In itself, this bar is a type of museum with its tall display cases running the length of the various rooms and featuring pieces of indefinable value detailing the history of this city.

Small tables, stools and benches complete the oriental-inspired decoration. The intimate ambience is enhanced by the soft music pitched to foster smoothly flowing conversation.

Another local landmark is Snob, on Rua do Século, just off the Príncipe Real square. Journalists, politicians and artists often drop in on this elegant and serene and rather old England style bar. And enhancing such charm, the owner, Sr. Albino, insists on keeping his famous clock without any hands - it ticks but tells no time so that nobody feels in any rush. And the bar is reputed to have the best toasted sandwiches in Lisbon. And that is not to mention its steaks.