The ten best bars in Porto

To passers-by, it’s just an old nineteenth-century chapel. But step inside and you’ll realise this is indeed a place of worship– to Bacchus, the god of wine. At Capela Incomum, you can admire the inside of the church, complete with altar, while enjoying a glass of wine: the star of the menu, though other popular drinks include craft beer and sangria. And every other Thursday, this charming place reverberates with live fado performances.

Porto loves football, and if you’re after a place to watch it (or most other sports), Adega Sports Bar is your jam. The décor matches the vibe, with scarves from different football clubs and roller hockey sticks lining the walls and the ceiling. Why not play a round of snooker or table football before the game starts? And, of course, they serve a variety of Portuguese, international and craft beers to go with the all the fun.

As the name suggests, jazz rules this bar, and it’s the only music genre you’ll hear while you’re there. There’s live jazz every Saturday and Sunday, between 5pm and 7pm, and shows take place more frequently in the summer. Drinks-wise, you can order wines from different regions in Portugal by the glass, to wash down one of the bar’s tasty grilled sandwiches while you enjoy the music. You can also buy bottles of wine to take home. The best part is the setting, on a balcony overlooking the Douro river.

The first Bonaparte bar opened in Foz in 1977, and this Downtown spin-off Irish bar followed in 2016. From its older sibling, the bar inherited features such as the antique-covered walls and the dim lighting, making this an appealing choice on grey-skied days. It serves a range of beer, whiskey, cocktails and wine, which you can enjoy on their own or pair with one of the dishes prepared by chef Mário Rodrigues.

Zoom up to the seventeenth floor of Hotel Dom Henrique to find not only a panoramic view of the city but also one of the best bars in Porto. 17º Restaurant & Bar takes up the two top floors of the building, serving signature cocktails like the Basil Flirt – with gin, Triple Sec, passionfruit juice and basil – or the OMG – with bourbon, lime juice, agave, mint, orange bitter and strawberry jam – alongside classics and alcohol-free options. There’s a DJ setting the vibe on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Terraplana became famous for its spacious terrace, which is perfect on a warm summer’s night – but it also has an indoor area for chillier days. The drinks menu is extensive and includes many signature cocktails, changing frequently thanks to the bar’s use of seasonal ingredients. Alternatively, you can pick from many different international beers, wines and vermouths – all while vibing on some rock, blues or Portuguese music. For the hungrier folk, between 7pm and 11pm, they serve pizza. Otherwise you can get sharing platters and snacks all night.

This former bookshop has been converted into a Porto nightlife classic. At Casa do Livro, where previously only books were sold – they now feature in the décor – you’ll find cocktails, wine, beer and even some hot drinks. You can dance to tunes picked by one of the many guest DJs, but if you’re after a more chilled out evening, they often have jazz, samba or soul gigs.

Porto’s original early-evening drinking spot, Candelabro was founded in 2009 and quickly became an essential post-work stop. So it remains: any evening you’ll find locals hanging out by the door, chattering and relaxing after a busy day. Known for its Portuguese wines and gins, as well as its delicious grilled sandwiches, this is also an ideal place for book lovers: there’s an in-house bookshop where you can pick up a second-hand read to pair with your drink.

Unsurprisingly, Letraria is a craft beer lover’s haven. You’ll find over 100 types of draught and bottled beer here to try, organised alphabetically – from Portuguese brands like Sovina Lupum and the bar’s namesake Letra to foreign beers like the Japanese Kiuchi. There are two indoor areas with seating for you to have a drink, but most people flock to the back garden. Letraria also has a snack and appetiser menu, and waiters are happy to advise on the best nibble-and-tipple combinations.

Miradouro Ignez has become a regular hang-out for many locals thanks to its splendid river view. The open terrace facing the city – great for photosynthesising on sunny days – invites you to contemplate the boats crossing the Douro while enjoying a classic cocktail. Keep an eye out for the bar’s regular sunset parties too.