Shaking (with) Happiness for the Lisbon Bar Show 2022
Sharlafied heads out for the Lisbon Bar Show for the first time since its inception in 2014. We talk to Alberto Pires, the creator of the show.
Hi Alberto, I am really excited to come to the Lisbon bar show because it will be my first time! Tell me a little bit about your business Mojito Bar Catering.
We do all kinds of events but mainly weddings and VIP areas for big events, as well as brand activations, team building, and we have worked with brands like Google and Dior. On May 18, day two of the Lisbon Bar show, Mojito bar Catering celebrates 16 years. It is also National Cocktail day, so we will have a special toast at tea time (4 pm).
Why did you start the Lisbon Bar show?
I started the show to try and raise awareness of the bar scene in Portugal, and it is starting to pay off!
Your first edition was in 2014, what was that edition like?
It was small (only 1 day and about 1500 people, but Jared Brown congratulated us and told us that it was very good and he was surprised by the Portuguese bar scene.
We found ways to attract people, like organizing a bus from Porto and another from Algarve with a presentation on board (pictured on the right: Diego Cabrera on the bus tour in 2014).
This year will be your first edition since 2019, I’m sure everyone will be excited to meet again in person, how will this edition be different from your very first one?
This year after 2 years of pandemic i think it Will be a great party, and we have to be extra careful about the alcohol consumption (laughs).
We are now in a new building and we expect more them 6000 visitors, some from outside the country, also some exhibitors from other countries.
When did Lisbon’s bar scene start emerging?
The Lisbon bar scene started emerging about the same time as Lisbon Bar Show (2014 ) a little because of LBS, because of tourism and also the Gin & Tonic fever that came from Spain.
What do people in Lisbon look for in a bar?
The consumers are growing in knowledge and there are more and more sophisticated bars offering some good cocktails.
Note from Sharlafied: I will be visiting them and will be posting on IG.
Do you have a lot of non-Portuguese people opening bars in Lisbon, like in Barcelona? (Sips, 2 Schmucks, Paradiso…)
Not a lot but we do have a few non Portuguese people opening bars here. Portugal offers some fiscal advantages so it makes sense, and I see it growing even more.
What do you think is different in cocktail bars in Lisbon as opposed to other cities?
In Portugal, people are starting to drink stronger and more bitter drinks. It takes time to educate the palate.
What are the typical hours of a cocktail bar in Lisbon?
In Portugal we don’t have the aperitivo time in our drinks culture, so it is mainly at night.
What is the favorite spirit of people in Lisbon?
We are starting to drink some rum but we are still riding the gin wave.
You have some big name guests on tap for this edition, what will you be organizing to show them a good time?
Since the first year, I have being doing something special for them: We have a private area for speakers and press with a private chef - Chef Alf , and there is also a massage area (yes, really!) and we try to take them to see the top sights in Lisbon.
What is on the top of bar owners and workers minds now that the pandemic is slowing down?
Bar owners have a huge problem to find staff, as we are seeing all over Europe post-pandemic. The staff will be so happy to take off their masks and put the pandemic behind them.
Can you offer some little hints about what we can expect at this years show? Something new and different?
Ian Burrell, Remy Savage, Patrick Pistolese, Tato Giovannoni and Liz Furlong are just a few of the names coming from abroad. On the 18th: Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller will host the Vintage Cocktail Competition. Also, on the 18th, all the bartenders are going to propose a toast to national Cocktail day at 5 pm (tea time!)
The whole program is here: https://lisbonbarshow.com/programa/
What shows do you usually attend?
Since 2006, I have attended London, Paris, Athens, Berlin, New Orleans… I try to get to as many as I can.
Why should people come to the Lisbon Bar show?
To check out our new vibrant bar scene and see what is happening in this fast growing area.
Anything else you want to tell our readers?
Don’t miss the Lisbon Bar show!
Where to stay in Lisbon:
1908 Lisboa Hotel, a stylish hotel in an iconic building on the corner between Largo do Intendente and Av. Almirante Reis. Designed by architect Adães Bermudes in 1908, it was brought back to life. Full of original and modern artworks and featuring the Infame restaurant. Infame means ifamous in Portuguese. It comes from the words Queen Amelian shouted INFAME! INFAME! when the King was assassinated. The food is just the opposite, with modern twists on traditional Portuguese dishes. I had a meal with head bartender Marco Dias, winner of Bacardi Legacy 2020, and he shared with me some of his memories of his homeland Capo Verde, as well as some delightful cocktails!
You can find Marco’s IG here : @marcos_dias_sugarane
I went on a cocktail and food pairing journey to 18.68cocktailbar named after the year of the creation of the first volunteer fire fighters group. The ex firehouse is now a bar has its own entrance behind the uber chic Bairro Alto Hotel. The food and drinks were, to say the least, FIRE!
Until next year!
Lisbon Bar Show 2022 · Altice Arena, Sala Tejo – 17 and 18 May 2022
Instagram: @lisbonbarshow