Pavilhão Chinês

Pavilhão Chinês or Chinese Pavilion - Lisbon’s hidden secret

Pavilhão Chinês or Chinese Pavilion is an amazing Lisbon speakeasy which is full of intrigue, quirky, fascinating, mind boggling, meticulous, fun and overwhelming all at the same time. 

Although located in the fashionable district of Principe Real, Chinese Pavilion is a difficult place to find because of its covert street frontage. It’s hard to see any identifying marks as to it's name or what it is, in fact it looks like a derelict building but believe me when I say that once inside it will blow your mind and you will never judge a book by it's cover again.

I’m never quite sure what time Pavilhão Chinês opens at but I believe that it's safe to say that it will be open at 6.00 pm, so go there after that although this doesn't necessarily mean that the door will be open. If the door is locked and the shutters on the windows are up, then it’s open, so simply ring the doorbell and entrance shall be granted ... yes really!

When inside you will enter a large room with an an array of toy figurines, practically from the floor to ceiling. As you walk through to the bar you will realise that this is only one room of many and the nooks and crannies of Chinese Pavilion will captivate you.

The immense toy collection of Pavilhão Chinês ranges from action men, tin soldiers, dolls, ships, air force helmets, the list is really endless and it is worth studying the shelves as you will find some crazy stuff. The owner who collected these pieces has spent years doing so and I dare to say that it must be one of the best collections of it's kind in the world.  If you are there with guests, why not have a little competition and find Roy Keane of Manchester United and Ireland fame (he really doesn't fit into this collection but somehow found his way there).

The waiters are dressed in red or blue waist coats which gives this bar an austere feeling but relax and enjoy the experience, don't be afraid to wander around and take photos or enjoy a game of pool on one of two tables in the back bar. Whatever you do… do visit this bar, it's a MUST SEE and is one of Lisbon's hidden secrets!

Pavilhão Chinês or Chinese Pavilion is located Here