This month sees the return of Sónar Lisboa, the first of the Sónar’s three summer festivals (with the Istanbul edition taking place in May and Barcelona in June). From 11-13 April, the Portuguese will come alive with the thrum of electronic beats, the vibrant energy of festival goers and non-stop dancing from dusk till dawn. Lisbon native Pedro da Linha is one of the DJs shaping the weekend’s soundtrack. Since releasing his EP Dicas late last year, he’s been making waves with genre-fusing club collaborations with techno giants such as Lapili, Mu540, and Branko, Pedro fuses Brazilian funk and Spanish vocals with the beats unique to Lisbon’s nightlife.
For Pedro, Lisbon has always been intertwined with music. “As a melting pot, [the city] has shaped how I consume music and think about music,” he says. “Growing up, my neighbourhood was alive with sounds – my friends and I were listening to kizomba and kuduro, but now we’re into minimal, techno and house. Those contrasts influenced how I present myself, the music I create and the sets I play.”
Like many, Pedro started his career on SoundCloud before gaining recognition – one of his tracks even featured on the Savage x Fenty show soundtrack. Ahead of taking the stage at this year’s Sónar Lisbon, we caught up with him to talk about the city that raised him, and most importantly: where to find the best parties, food, and drinks in Lisbon...
ONE HOTEL REALLY WORTH CHECKING INTO IS...
Selina Secret Garden, near Cais Sodré, which I rate as one of the best locations in the city. This hotel also acts as a co-working space and puts on cool parties and weekly live music sessions. It has a laidback vibe that perfectly matches the energy of its buzzy neighbourhood.
I ALWAYS HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS AT...
Amor Records, a record shop in Anjos where you can enjoy beers with friends while listening to classic house records, and they also host parties. There’s another record shop called Collect, where you can grab food and drinks and tune into live radio shows or DJ sets. For a restaurant option, Fabric is another great spot – perfect for Middle Eastern food and drink to wind down with friends at the end of the day.
SPEAKING OF BEERS AND FOOD...
Musa de Marvila in Marvila is a top choice, especially for dancing at their weekend rooftop parties. It’s easily one of my favourite spots in the city. Palácio Baldaya is another favourite – while it’s not in central Lisbon (more in the suburbs), it’s a perfect place to order a beer and enjoy a relaxed chat in the cute garden. Then there’s Zero Zero pizzeria, near Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, which offers a cool outdoor space that’s also perfect for cocktails, pizza and hours of hanging with mates.
WHEN I’M IN THE MOOD FOR TRADITIONAL FOOD, I HEAD TO...
Nova Pombalina on Rua do Comércio. It’s one of the last classic snack bar spots in Lisbon and home to possibly the best sandwiches in the city, and some of the best and homemade salgados I’ve ever had. Imperial de Campo de Ourique in Campo de Ourique is another small restaurant I’d recommend for a vast menu of traditional food that changes daily – and possibly the friendliest staff in the city. They’ll make you feel like you’re part of the family straight away. But my ultimate local spot for snacks and small dishes from Alentejo has to be Taberna do Calhau on Largo das Olarias, it has an amazing cellar with the most delicious Portuguese wines.
FOR A CULTURE FIX, MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO... Crack Kids – a really nice gallery in Cais Sodré, where you can buy art while listening to a DJ set. There are always new exhibitions that focus on urban culture. Their most recent one, Protect The Seed, explored the fusion between the natural and the artificial in our urban environments. I also enjoy Galeria Zé Dos Bois in Bairro Alto: it’s one of the main places showcasing contemporary art in the city, with an amazing programme ranging from exhibitions to live shows and DJs. All its upcoming events are listed online – there’s always something different to check out.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A NIGHT OUT TO REMEMBER...
Musicbox, near Cais do Sodre, is the club with the best programme in the city, from bands and DJs to parties – you’ll always find something fresh. It’s been around since 2006 and have always had such an eclectic mix of performances, so there’s something for everyone. Lux Fragil, along Rua do Grilo, remains the most important club in Lisbon, with some of biggest names in the world playing there almost every week, such as Honey Dijon, Kap Bambino and Yen Sung. It really is a staple in the Lisbon club scene. And finally, B.Leza, on Cais da Ribeira Nova, is another iconic space for live music in the city, with an amazing view over the river, playing the best of Lisbon’s Kizomba, Semba and Funaná music.
Service95 readers receive 10% off tickets for this year’s Sónar Lisboa – book through the links below and the discount will be applied at checkout.
Book single day/night sessions here
Book full weekend passes to the festival here
