GAY AND LESBIAN PORTO
Oporto remains a conservative and closeted city, with its very first Pride Week having only taken place for the first time in 2001 and the
annual pride march only in 2006.
But the march does have the honor to go down the main avenue,
Avenida dos Aliados,
indicating that the city is slowly opening itself up to gay life.
Unlike Lisbon however, there is no traditionally gay neighborhood.
There are a few gay bars, but no gay hotels.
The bars are known to have a typically laid-back and party atmosphere. There are also a few gay-friendly spots such as
"Aniki Bobo" where gays discreetly go to see and be seen, and to simply enjoy the night.
For more details about gay nightlife options in Oporto, see the list below.
BEARS CAVE
Rua Alexandre Herculano, 183The target is obviously the bear community but it attracts everyone simply for drinks or for a meal at the restaurant. There's "happy hour" every afternoon before dinner time.
CAFÉ LUSITANO
Rua José Falcão, 137It's a café open to everyone but it's a predominantly gay crowd that you'll find at night. It's in a former warehouse that's been given an attractive retro décor and a chill-out atmosphere where most of the city's gay nights start.
GLAMOUR BAR
Rua do Bonjardim, 836This is the place for drag performances. It opens only on weekends, with the exception of a special Wednesday night "divas" show.
LABIRINTHO
Rua Nossa Senhora de Fatima, 334Phone: 22 606 3665
Classifying this as a gay-friendly straight bar or as a straight-friendly gay bar depends on who you ask. It's perhaps both, depending on the night. It's both a bar and an art gallery so any given night may be straight, gay, mixed or whatever.
It's a couple of minutes walk from Casa da Musica, so it's a nice destination after a concert there. Admire the current exhibition and then head for the garden or one of the bars. It opens at 9PM and often stays open until sunrise on weekends.
PRIDE
91 836 9861Rua do Bonjardim, 1121
This bar proudly shows the rainbow flag at the door, and inside, gay, lesbian, or curious dance the night away to house music. It is also known for its flamboyant drag shows.
PRIDE COFFEE
Praça Marquês de Pombal, 13This café is really the only gay spot during the day. It opens just after lunch on a second floor and offers wireless internet service.
SPARTAKUS
Rua Guedes de Azevedo, 245With a central location downtown, this bar also has a sauna nearby on Rua do Bonjardim. It's essentially a meeting place to start the night, although it also has a dark room for longer stays and a couple of theme parties per week.
ZOOM
Beco Passos Manuel91 835 3282
This is the gay hotspot of the moment, especially crowded on Saturdays (it only opens on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of a holiday). It's located in a former warehouse, has a welcoming atmosphere, and the music is mostly house.
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WHEN TO GO
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