Surround Sound Lisbon-Style in a Fado Restaurant

Each time I visit Lisbon, one of my projects is to review the many fado opportunities so those with my Rick Steves Portugal guidebook get the best late-night memory. Fado is traditional folk music that reflects Portugal’s bittersweet relationship with the sea. You can go to a fancy show in a fancy upscale restaurant for lots of money. But I like the free shows, deep in the characteristic and rough-edged neighborhoods. Here (at Restaurante A Baiuca in the Alfama, listed in my guidebook) the woman who owns the place is joined by her cooks, while the headwaiter sings at the door (along with a neighbor in the middle of the restaurant who dropped by tonight for the open mic). And they even invite the tourists to sing along “in English”…la, la, la, la, la.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

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One Reply to “Surround Sound Lisbon-Style in a Fado Restaurant”

  1. I’m so glad you mentioned the neighbourhood fado-celebrating events! When I was in Lisbon, I diligently sought out a club offering dinner and fado–hugely expensive–nope. The next day, I heard music and followed my ears: I soon found myself in the middle of a wonderfully exuberant street celebration where everyone was encouraged to dance and sing along with superb performers. Fantastic!

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