The Old Pharmacy
The Old Pharmacy is a Bairro Alto wine bar set in a building that historically housed a pharmacy, with the original pharmacy fixtures preserved alongside contemporary bar service. The setup runs casual wine bar format with the pharmacy theme providing the distinctive visual identity.
Where to stay near The Old Pharmacy
Hotels close to Bairro Alto, Lisbon.
What to Expect
A wine bar in a preserved pharmacy building with Portuguese focus and historical atmosphere.
Wine bar in preserved pharmacy with historical atmosphere and Portuguese wine focus.
Jazz, lounge, fado kept low
Smart casual
Wine enthusiasts, history-focused visitors, and travelers seeking quieter Bairro Alto alternatives.
Cards, cash (EUR)
Price Range
Wine by glass 5-10 EUR, cocktails 8-13 EUR, small plates 6-12 EUR
Wine ~$5-11/~5-11 USD, cocktails ~$9-14/~9-14 USD
Hours
Daily 5 PM to 2 AM
Insider Tip
The preserved pharmacy fixtures are worth seeing on their own. The wine list focuses on Portuguese selections; ask staff for recommendations.
Full Review
The Old Pharmacy occupies a building in Bairro Alto that historically housed a pharmacy, with the original pharmacy fixtures (wooden shelving, glass jars, period signage, antique pharmacy equipment) preserved as part of the bar's decor. The contemporary bar operation runs around the historical fixtures rather than removing them.
The wine program focuses on Portuguese selections, with depth in Douro, Alentejo, Dão, and Vinho Verde producers. The list runs deeper than most casual Bairro Alto venues, with proper pours at 5-10 EUR per glass for standard selections and premium options available. Cocktails at 8-13 EUR, small plates at 6-12 EUR.
The atmosphere stays calm and conversation-focused throughout the evening. Music plays at low volume with jazz, lounge, and occasional fado dominating. The crowd is heavily wine enthusiasts, history-focused visitors, and the older traveler demographic seeking a quieter Bairro Alto venue.
The Neighborhood
Bairro Alto is Lisbon's traditional nightlife district, a hillside grid of narrow cobbled streets that fills with people pouring drinks onto the pavement after 10 PM. The mix runs from preserved fado houses to contemporary cocktail bars across the small streets. The Old Pharmacy sits in Bairro Alto in a preserved historic building.
Getting There
Metro Blue line to Baixa-Chiado, then the Elevador da Glória funicular to the top. Walking from Cais do Sodré takes 10 minutes uphill. Uber from anywhere central takes 5-15 minutes at 5-10 EUR.
Address
Rua do Diario de Noticias 73, 1200-141 Lisboa
Other Venues in Bairro Alto
Pavilhão Chinês
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Pensão Amor
Set inside a former brothel on the border of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre, Pensao Amor kept the building's provocative history as its design theme. The rooms feature erotic art, vintage furniture, and burlesque performances on select nights.
A Tasca do Chico
Tiny fado bar where local performers sing traditional Portuguese ballads in an intimate, standing-room-only setting. Reservations are not accepted, so arriving before 9 PM is the only way to guarantee a spot inside.
TOPO Chiado
Rooftop bar on top of the Armazens do Chiado shopping center with panoramic views over the Tagus River and the Baixa district. It operates as a cocktail bar in the evening and the terrace fills quickly on warm nights.
Portas Largas
One of Bairro Alto's original bars and still one of the most popular, Portas Largas packs a small interior with loud music while most of the crowd stands outside on the street with drinks in hand. It's a good starting point for a night in the neighborhood.
Cinco Lounge
Cocktail bar with over 100 drinks on the menu and bartenders who take the craft seriously. Low lighting, a relaxed lounge layout, and a calmer pace than the street-bar chaos a few blocks away. Cocktails run higher than the area average but are worth it for a slower start to the evening.