The Best Bars in Ericeira, Portugal

Something of an institution in this small town, this tiny cocktail bar is low-lit and informal inside, with a scattering of light metal tables out on the street. Local wines, frosty pints and simple vermouths are all on offer, but you’d be a fool not to try the cocktails, made from a library of small-brand, small-batch spirits and liqueurs (there are over 70 types of gin alone). In the alley outside, locals and visitors mingle well into sultry summer evenings.

This humble beach kiosk, on the biscuit-coloured sands of Praia dos Pescadores, has a sprinkling of scarlet beanbags and deckchairs to lounge on as you order. A mellow pack of beach bums clink beer bottles around its colourful painted signs, wind chimes, printed hippie throws and rainbow-striped hammock. The crowd swells at sunset when the beach glows coral pink. Toasted sandwiches and avocado toasts are on hand to balance out the boozing.

This packed-out pub, staffed by a cheery group of young lads, sits right in the heart of the restaurant quarter of Ericeira. Little more than two rooms and a bit of overspill space in the street, there’s an impromptu dance floor that often gets going in the wee hours. It’s not glam, but it is loved by locals for its cheeky spirit. Rocking on until 2am, it’s a stellar final stop after enjoying drinks and dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.

With the front portion of a sky-blue VW campervan protruding from its facade, this playful cocktail bar has pub-style wooden benches in the street and nachos on the snack menu. Inside, a neon-lit cube is artfully cluttered with surfboards, tiki-style murals and a huge faux-wave cresting over the bar, setting up the surfer vibe and cocktail list. Alongside beachy faves such as Mai Tais and Tequila Sunrises are spicy margaritas and frozen mojitos, to start your night with a bang.

This quaint, tiny tangerine hole in the wall has a traditional feel with barrels, Portuguese tiling and primary-coloured ceramics used as decoration. A former restaurant still serving tapas with its sangria jugs and glasses of wine, this cosy spot only gets raucous when there’s a DJ set – and even then, they tend to spin golden oldies. Live music is also laid on regularly. Don’t be afraid to get up and strut your stuff.

Relaxed and informal with its hand-painted signs and basic garden furniture, Jukebox is a compact temple to craft beer. Alongside the cult brews, a chatty team serves top-notch Pisco sours and caipirinhas in mason jars, as patrons flow between the bar and the street. As the name suggests, the playlist is second to none – this is where Ericeira’s music fans come to drink. It’s almost next door to Hemingway’s, if you fancy a bar-hop.

On the rooftop of a building inlaid with glossy basil-green tiles, this balmy bar serves zingy margaritas and spritzers in fishbowl glasses. Linger over views of the city’s rooftops as you work through the selection of bruschettas that perfectly complement the drinks menu. This is one of the more upmarket bars in town, so expect to spend a bit more. No room upstairs? There are a few wooden tables down at street level, too.

If you have full-blown dancefloor fever, this bar club – translating as Hedgehog – has the volume, in terms of both size and sound system. Located just above Praia dos Pescadores, with a sliver of sea-view terrace to cool off on between tracks, it’s famous for its muralled exterior, which changes to a new colourful design each season. Look out for theme nights, from the 80s to reggaeton. It’s a short stagger back to much of the town’s accommodation, too.

On neighbouring surfer’s paradise Praia de Ribeira D’Ilhas, this sharp, modern take on the beach shack has a vast wooden deck with plump bean bags to sink into. Inside, the walls and bar are decorated with timber, while a zig-zag of surfboards hangs from the ceiling – but you’ll want to be outside with a view of the ocean and a tall, icy piña colada. Watch the local surfers peeling off wetsuits and heading in for a takeaway smoothie.

Share platters of local sheep’s cheese, charcuterie and crostini as you sip your way through the robust wine list at this under-the-radar spot. Lined, library-style, with bottles of every persuasion and decorated with barrels, it’s a low-key hangout with simple wooden benches and steps up to a mezzanine level. You can ask for individual wine recommendations, or pay upfront for a flight of several. Live fado or jazz guitarists often pop up on weekends.