Experiencing fado, a type of Portuguese song, is high on the list of to-dos in every Lisbon guidebook. Having experienced fado outside of Portugal I didn't feel strongly that it was a must-do, but when I found myself at night on the street that is known for fado I prioritized it. For the best fado experience I recommend an intimate space, hopefully crowded with people but also with a view to the performers. Tasca do Chico is exactly that place. The doorman told us that space was standing room only, at the (tiny) bar. From there we could see and hear the performers while ordering food and drink. We'd not been there long before we were offered an available seat at a table which caused us to order more food and drink and stay a little longer. The fado here is quite good, made even more enjoyable as the artists change quite frequently; a song or two and a new artist steps forward, all very talented and enjoyable to watch and hear. The fado places tend to have lines out the door and a doorman managing entry. A place across the street looked much bigger but the intimacy is, in my opinion, what makes the experience both unique and special. Even if you have to start at the bar, Tasca do Chico is a great place to experience fado. read more

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The only downside of this place was the wait , nearly an hour to get into the bar and another 20 minutes before we were seated (they do have a minimum spend per person for the table). On the bright side, I met some new friends in line, and honestly, it was worth it even though I hoped the wait was shorter. The drinks and performances were incredible and exceeded my expectations. It's a small place so the performances felt very intimate, what a memorable night! Just a heads up: they only take cash, so don't make the same mistake I did. Cheers! read more

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Absolutely fantastic experience! The food was amazing. The entertainment even better. The staff was so accommodating! Just when you thought the night was over -they would bring more food and play more songs. Be prepared to spend 5 hours and consume lots of wine!! A definite must!! Make sure to book your table in advance! read more

Tasca do Chico - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

We came here on our last night in Lisbon to catch the fado. Be warned that the line is extremely long. Even though we lined up as soon as they opened, we still waited a good hour before we were allowed inside. Even then, we initially stood at the bar for another 30 minutes before a table opened up and we finally got to sit down. The show itself was excellent. The singer had a beautiful voice. We had a lot of fun chatting with other people at our table. The food was decent as well. read more

I came here a second time this year. Long story short - first time was an ok experience. Did a walk in and ordered a pitcher of sangria plus some croquettes (they were cold). Place was crowded. Fast forward 10 months later. Came here at 7:21pm with an opening time of 7pm. The door was still closed and everyone was waiting in line. Waited in line and was greeted by a "10 minimum per person". Rude service, limited menu - mostly cheap wine for a steep price, not much tapas. (The first time I got the croquettes they were cold and disgusting). Overall, definitely better luck eating elsewhere and watching a show. Super rude attendant. She told us to "close the menu" when I didn't even get to look at it. The sangria was also terrible. It was basically wine with some oranges in it. Overall - a disappointment. read more

Tasca do Chico - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Very rude server , we had to walk out!!! We came here for Fado and tapas because it's highly recommended. Didn't even let us order,she kept saying stand by the bar where it looks like a kitchen counter with no seat. We were greeted with " it's 10 euros minimum per person." Total disappointment! read more

Tasca do Chico - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Dug this place so hard. It was our last night in Lisbon and we hadn't seen fado yet the whole week we were there. People from our hostel were talking about how they went the night before and had this whole emotional experience that one of them even cried. I honestly knew nothing about fado but after hearing them describe it, I wanted to go. Someone knew of a place and decided to come with us. We passed by a few places in Bairro Alto - they all seemed to have different vibes from the outside, but all were packed. It's really small, so seating is tight and the only spots left this time were directly in front of the Portuguese guitars and singers. We ordered a couple of glasses of red wine before they dimmed the lights and closed the doors for each short set. There was a woman, then two men followed, all very different styles, from heartbreaking to more light-hearted and almost comedic to deep and powerful. We had no idea what they were saying but I could see what all the fuss was about. Great to experience at least once! read more

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Such a disappointing experience. We waited in line for about 30 minutes, which we expected without a reservation. While we waited, we could overhear a lovely fado singer inside, she was the quintessential harmonic voice you would expect. Once we were next in line to go in, the owner/manager's buddy showed up with a date and were allowed to go in with a huge line of people waiting. Can't say I'm surprised, that happens at most clubs, but when you are traveling from far to experience this while an apparent local can come anytime, it's irritating. We were rudely told to go in and head straight to the back to stand even though there were seats available. We sat on some side seats and were told to get up, and told to go further back behind a beam, so we had no view of the performance. Because we had already waited and I was bent on trying to make the best of it, I placed a soup and drink order at the bar, the bartender misheard me and gave me "Vinho Verde" instead of "Caldo verde," and when I corrected her the other bartender shushed me since the rude male that directed us (I'm guessing another manager) was singing. Mind you, I was speaking closely to her, not yelling from across the bar. The sangria looked like some store bought bottle, it wasn't awful, but wasn't great. The Caldo Verde was decent, but my serving had no chorizo. The guy singing could use some lessons too. We left promptly after. I'm aware they have a reputation, but that doesn't mean you should let it go to your head and be rude to newcomers, who can then give you a negative review. Two stars only because the soup was pretty good, and the first singer sounded top notch (from what I could hear outside). read more

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If you're looking fado, look no further. This place was recommended to me by an actual fado singer and it's been a fantastic experience every time. Very simple without bells and whistles; the staff isn't "rude" as some reviews might suggest, as long as you engage with them and don't expect them to just serve you on hand and foot. The artists they attract are talented and give you the nostalgic experience of fado in an intimate space. Even if there's a line outside, it's worth the wait and moves quickly. read more

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Great Local Music The crowds tell everything... this is the best spot for great fado music! As the photos published on tripadvisor were seriously outdated I posted my own. I don't really go there for the food, which is minimal. But the people, the music and ambiance are worth 5 stars. read more

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I wouldn't visit Lisboa without stopping by Tasca do Chico! First of all, I love this block of Barrio Alta, lined with all kinds of bars and clubs, including lots of dance clubs. So many Europeans from all over party in this district on the weekends (any time of year, not just summer). But to be clear, Tasca do Chico is the real deal - a cozy, fun place to hang out with a real fado scene. Not like the tourist-only fado venues. You'll find plenty of locals here, singing along with the revered standards. The place is packed, so you'll likely have to wait to get a table, unless you arrive early. I remember the beer and sangria being reasonably priced and the food being pretty good. Only had a couple of dishes and can't remember what we ate, but it was somewhere between good and amazing. I prefer a couple of the Fado clubs in Alfama, Mesa de Frades in particular. However, this is a great place to stop by for one drink or to spend the full evening. It has a very comfortable and inviting vibe. read more

Great place to meet new people and experience terrific music. We shared a table and met new people. Some locals and some students. Joao is a very talented and charming host. Come for the experience, drinks, traditional soup, and passionate music. You can't go wrong if you come early (seven) to get a table, eat, and enjoy the music around nine. read more

Tasca do Chico - Fabulous Fado! Joao is charming. Drinks, music and a great time. - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Very local spot. We watched a grandfather sing to his grand daughter of maybe 7 yrs old. Fado is the best part of Portuguese culture. Be respectful! Order food and drinks while the lights are on and be quite when the lights are off and the Fado performance is going. Price is low. Eat dinner somewhere else. But Fado atmosphere is the best. We went to another place and Tasco do Chico is the best! read more

Tasca do Chico - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Disclosure: I didn't stay long enough to hear Fado or eat, but I did stay long enough to have thoughts about the place. First - I made a reservation for 2, about a month in advance. This was done via email. When I arrived, the surly waitress or whatever her role is, tells me she has no reservation. She slides her book over so I can look in case the reservation was under a different name.... why the f*ck would I make a reservation under a different name? And why the f*ck would the person who manages emails do that? My name is pretty clear in the email. I offered to show her the email but she wasn't interested - she pointed to a table in the corner and said we could 'have' that one but we'd have to share with other people. So we go sit, she dumps menus and never came back. Secondly - after waiting 15 minutes, we said screw this. We decided to leave since it was obvious these people give no f*cks about customer service, and as we walk past this old guy who may have been the owner - I don't know - he has he nerve to wave us off as of to say, that's right, just get out. Very cool. So, of you have the option to go elsewhere for Fado - do it. This place is run by rude arse holes who have no concept of what client service means. read more

Absolute best place in Lisbon to see authentic fado the way it is supposed to be performed. You will need to stop by the place in person a day or two before (while they're open) to make a reservation if you hope to get in. They don't answer the phone. It is a very small, intimate space that brings the very best performers. It is the barre for greatness nation-wide. Tasca do Chico was Anthony Bourdain's go-to for fado. I was not a big fan of fado going into this experience but was moved to tears several times. read more

I wish there were, or we knew about, more places like this. Get a reservation, get there early and settle in. We shared a table and met some great people. The tapas are delicious, the wine inexpensive and plentiful. Starting at 9pm, and then every 20 minutes or so they closed the doors (with dormant in attendance) and perform 2 or 3 Fado songs. The doors are close to keep the performance from being disrupted, because the Tasca do Chico is very close to the street, and when the music starts it would get overrun, and therefore unsafe, they handle it well. It gets crowded in there, but in a friendly way that makes for a great Lisbon Fado experience as opposed to the tourist exhibitions that many LisbonFado locations charge so very much for. Here, too, you can experience true local Fado without having to stay up very late. Remember to tip the performers, too! read more

Singing starts around 9 pm so get there 30-60 minutes early if you want a table, else you'll be standing in the cramped bar area. But not to worry because each singer performs 2-3 songs, then a short intermission, in which some people finish their sangrias and leave. Went on a Tuesday night past 9 pm, it was packed, heard 3 singers, drank 2 sangrias and went home. Highly recommended local, intimate experience. There are a few other fado places on same street or nearby, glad I picked this place. Their sangrias are pretty good. The flaming sausage is pricey, ten euros with bread. Best to pay at the bar immediately, else you might wait a bit for your bill. read more

Casa de Chico was reccommended to us by a lovely local woman who dat nect to us at lunch a day before. She said it was the best. The Fa Fado was, indeed, fabulous. Even on a Wednesday night it was crowded. Don't expect to get a table. Worth it. read more

If you're staying in Bairro Alto or Chiado, this is the place to go check out fado music. Sure, there are lots of fado spots in the Alfama neighborhood across town (including the second Tasca do Chico outpost), but this one is authentic, cozy, and totally worth spending an evening getting your fill of saudade (the Portuguese word for a yearning nostalgia and longing). A Tasca do Chico has free fado vadio (amateur, but in name only - some of the singers were incredible) on Monday and Wednesday nights. Arrive early (around 8pm) to snag a seat in this teeny-tiny tavern and enjoy a beverage or two before the performers start around 9pm. A highlight of our time in Lisbon! read more

Super for listening live Fado!!! The food and drinks are good but they are just as a extra all is made to enjoy fado... read more

Great little tapas bar know for its nightly Fado. Not every night is full, but when we went Tuesday night it was packed. I mean packed people standing near the bathrooms without a view just to hear the sounds of the music. People outside in the alley listening and if lucky enough to peak in from the 1 small window. The music is simple and nice so really as long as you hear that all that matters. A local suggested drinks only, and that was great. Had a cod fish ball and it was ok, if you are hungry. They have a few tapas options. Overall it was the perfect Portuguese event to cap off our trip. read more

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Tasca is amazing. This is a must for fado music if you are in Lisbon. The hostel across the hall from our Airbnb suggested this and we actually ran into a group of people who were staying at that hostel who were there the same night as us. We were a group of 8 and made a reservation and luckily got a table. As soon as the fado was about to start - that's when it started to get packed and difficult to find space. Literally, every inch of this location was filled. Everyone there is so friendly and it just feels like you're hanging out with family. Strangers will talk to you like they've known you forever. It's incredible. read more

Tasca do Chico is a MUST DO when in Lisbon. My friends and I wandered here after dinner on a Monday night; it was standing room only, but luckily some people left and we were able to grab a seat. I sat next to a local gentleman and he shared with us stories and talked about life in Lisbon. Fado music is powerful and beautiful and although the singers are 'amateurs' they are really QUITE good. Sets are usually 2 or 3 songs, and the lights go off, and everyone stays quiet listening in awe of the fado. After a set, the lights come back on, and its time to order more cocktails or wine, and take a bathroom break (or leave the bar completely). A glass of wine set me back approx 3 euros. It's a little hard to get the servers attention, you might have to go to the bar to order drinks. read more

Love, love LOVE this little Fado bar. Went here twice while in Lisbon and both nights they were fully booked but the two of us managed to squeeze in. Even though I didn't know what they were singing about it just such a soulful place! Good mix of locals and like minded tourists and massive glasses of house wine for €3, who can complain! Great location too! read more

Tasca do Chico - Preparing for the show - Wine Bars Near Me - Lisbon, 11

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Live fado with locals and tourists like myself alike. Real down home, local feel with good drinks and apps. All in all, it's a great intro to Fado and Portuguese culture done the right way with no fluff. read more

The beer is cold, the wine is good and the atmosphere is really nice. The fado presentation was really good! The downsides are the cigarette smoke, the uncomfortable benches and the food that is not that good. The highlights were the chorizo and cheese. read more

Amazing restaurant with Fado music. Great way to spend our anniversary. Tapas are good and extremely reasonable. Very small so make reservations. read more

So got there an hr before fado starts and there are a couple of guys kinda blocking the door way. Not sure if they worked there or not. They don't say anything and finally move to let us in. See that all the tables have "reserved" signs so we leave and find another spot. A few hrs later walking by still see the 2 guys outside and in the door way and a few others hanging outside that were there earlier and the inside is still empty? Unpleasant unfriendly vibe and tiny. Don't know how this got so many great reviews read more

Tasca do Chico has free fado on Mondays and Wednesdays. You may think that free fado might not be very good fado, but this is by far my favourite venue. It has cheap food and drinks and spectacular, authentic singers. Many of them are elderly and sing in warbling tones that are incomparable to anything I've heard elsewhere. This is the sort of place I recommend to all my friends seeking a cozy, authentic fado experience. Get there early (before 10) or make a reservation in order to guarantee a seat as it tends to be packed! read more

Excellent Fado performances without the need to do expensive touristy dinners. Buy some green wine get a table and watch the show!!!!

Perfect place to have a drink while hearing gorgeous fado. The little tasca was packed when we went there! Tourists as well as Portuguese enjoy this place. read more

So torn on this rating - would rate the Fado 5 stars as it the performances were absolutely fantastic. We stayed for two sets, one male singer and one female singer and both were mesmerizingly beautiful. That being said, it's a small space with limited seating, and you can only sit if you're eating. We showed up 15 minutes before the first set started, so we got a good spot at the bar and beat the lines. As the night went on the lines outside the door got longer and longer and the space got tighter and tighter so if you can I'd definitely recommend coming early. The menu wasn't really veggie-friendly so we opted instead to stand at the bar. We ordered a small pitcher of Sangria and unfortunately saw our waitress filling the pitcher, smelling it, tasting it, spitting it out, then pouring us a fresh pitcher from a new bottle. The batch we got was delicious but we were cringing when we saw her mix the old batch with a newer batch, shake it up, and serve it to another table. Not ideal. Definitely don't go for the food/ambiance, but the Fado experience can't be beat! read more

Make a reservation for a good seat for the wonderful fado. Affordable wine, beer, and sangria. Musicians and singers are top notch. Tapas is local. Great experience. read more

The Fado experience was amazing here, from the ambiance, to the flaming sausage, to the different performers they had on that night. The place was completely packed out from 8:30 on. It's a small place but I liked how that made for a more intimate experience. Definitely recommend! read more

Recommended by tour guide. Awesome fado; we were here on a Saturday night and saw four different singers. Hcrachel and Andrea were super-fun bartenders. read more

Cute (size and atmosphere) authentic fado spot in Lisbon! They don't serve anything besides small apps/drinks so grab dinner elsewhere and come back for the amazing fado! We had three different singers who were entertaining and passionate..it was hard to leave. The tiny space gets really crowded but it definitely adds to the homey ambience. read more

Romantic in all the right ways. Really an authentic experience of Fado and drinks and snacks.

So much fun! Great authentic atmosphere, live singing, felt like we were in an old movie. Got the Sangria and Flaming Sausage, olives and bread, it was a great snack to much on while drinking and enjoying the live singing+ guitar. Highly recommend for an easy but fun night! read more

love love loved my experience at this local Fado bar. The bar is cozy and the singers are amateur. All in all a very authentic experience.