A former Baixa bookstore where the books stayed on the shelves and a baby grand piano sets the pace until the DJ takes over.
Casa do Livro keeps the floor to ceiling shelves of the bookstore it replaced in 2007, and the room still reads like a library that learned to pour. You drink under green and gold upholstery at Rua das Galerias de Paris 85, the busiest bar street in Baixa.
Time Out Porto calls it one of the city’s bars with the best vibes, and Fodor’s files it under speakeasy feel, tracing the music from jazz piano to fado to DJ sets. Come for the piano, stay for the dance floor in back.
The front room runs a long bar past banquette seating, with a baby grand piano as the focal point and a Botticelli Venus watching from above, a detail Portugal Confidential singles out. The back room belongs to the DJs.
Claim the front banquettes before midnight if conversation is the plan. After that, the room votes with its feet.
Live piano, jazz, and fado colored sets carry the early hours; Fodor’s traces the arc from tinkling jazz piano to high energy DJ sets after midnight, when the Galerias street crowd pours in.
Friday and Saturday peak hardest. Go Wednesday or Thursday if you want the music without the crush.
What to order
- 01
A generous gin tonic
- 02
A classic cocktail at the bar
- 03
Wine or tea on a slow night