Pit Stop, and Other Places We Loved in Lisbon

I have a soft spot for the street side bar, found in places like Miami, San Juan, and elsewhere around Latin America. Specifically, the bar that has a window opening up onto the sidewalk, with just enough space for about 3-4 people to stand outside and enjoy a beer while mingling with the passers by.

We found such a place, called Pit Stop, located just down the hill from the Miradouro da Graça in Alfama.

Abhi Lubana (@abhi_lubana001) operates the Pit Stop, and is an altogether cool dude. We talked to him quite a bit on a couple of occasions, his travels, and his experience emigrating from India to Portugal to operate his own business. For a mid 20s-ish guy, I celebrate the entrepreneurship. Also, can’t help but love the sign out front, his own design.

f you’re heading to Lisbon, be sure to take a short walk from Centro into Alfama, grab a beverage and chat with Abhi.

A few more things from our last week that I recommend:

• Miradouros in general. Our favorite is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte where we took in New Year’s Eve, about 5 or so minutes up the hill from Graça, and recognizable from the large trees that you can spot from elsewhere in Lisbon. There are probably a couple dozen in the city, and you can plan a whole day around plugging Miradouro into your Google Maps, and walking from one to another, experiencing the view itself, and anything else you encounter along the way.
• Cascais, Estoril, Belem, and other towns west of Lisbon. You may reach these via public transit, about half an hour from Centro. There are several stops where you can get off, and there are well maintained walkways along the beach that you can use to walk in between. In the summer, we’ve also taken in the praia de Carcavelos, or as we call in “Party Beach,” where you’ll encounter masses of people and loud reggaeton being blasted from a row of beachside cafes.
• Boutique Taberna. A hidden gem of a bar that we encountered on a previous trip when we heard an acoustic trio playing “Black” by Pearl Jam as we wandered in the alley. Grab a drink and sit on the stairs outside and watch a local musician.
• Lisbon Bike Rentals. Another way to get to the towns west, or elsewhere. The bikes were high quality and well maintained, the process was quick and straightforward, and cost effective.

We have left Lisbon for now, but will certainly be back as its one of our favorite cities, and an easy stopover flight back to the US. This morning we flew into Madrid, where we’ll be for the rest of the weekend. Starting next week, we’ll be settling into our new city and new professional endeavors, stay tuned!