Authentic fado in Lisbon

Here's Lisbon fado info I recently compiled for an upcoming trip of my own. Hopefully helpful:

FADO
BBC: A fadista's guide to Lisbon’s
5 best live fado performances
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240522-a-fadistas-guide-to-lisbons-best-live-fado-performances

TIME OUT: The best places to listen to fado in Lisbon. Wednesday 13 November 2024
https://www.timeout.com/lisbon/music/the-best-places-to-listen-to-fado-in-lisbon

Senhor Vinho
TIME OUT Recommended 4 stars of 5
Senhor Vinho, which was opened Maria da Fé in 1975, is a great reason to visit the Lapa neighbourhood. Ever find yourself struggling to find a kitchen that’s still open open for service at 12.30am? Next time, try Senhor Vinho . There’s excellent Portuguese food and a luxury line-up featuring names like Aldina Duarte and Francisco Salvação Barreto. Dinner is €65 per person.

MESA DE FRADES
TIME OUT Recommended 3 stars of 5
If you’ve never been to this famous little fado house in Alfama (complete with beautiful traditional tilework), you don’t know what you’re missing. Mesa de Frades regularly features performances by Rodrigo Rebelo de Andrade, Ana Sofia Varela, Teresinha Landeiro, or João Braga and performances are always accompanied by traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Clube de Fado
TIME OUT Recommended 3 stars of 5
Clube de Fado was once a stable and olive oil warehouse, but now it’s a fado house with a line-up of artists featuring big names like Cristina Madeira, Carlos Leitão, and Maria Ana Bobone night after night. The menu is comprised of codfish, steaks, octopus served with potatoes, and other Portuguese delicacies.

Clube Lisboa Amigos do Fado
TIME OUT Recommended 3 stars of 5
Tucked away behind another building and right next to a car dealership, it might seem like an unlikely place to enjoy a solemn fado experience – but looks can be deceiving. Clube Lisboa Amigos do Fado is both a music school and a fado house where hundreds of fado singers have honed their voices. The club has hosted performances by artists like Amália Rodrigues, Alfredo Marceneiro, Mariza, and Sara Correia, the latter a native of Chelas. To accompany the music, they serve snacks such as caldo verde (green broth) and grilled chouriço (sausage)

O FAIA R
Recommended by Time Out 3 stars of 5
An upmarket and slightly antiseptic venue, but an excellent place to hear good-quality fadistas. The daily roster includes Anita Guerreiro, who had a successful career in revista (music hall) before focusing on fado; António Rocha, known for his classic style; and Lenita Gentil. If he's not on tour, you should also get to hear one of fado's top young stars, Ricardo Ribeiro. There's a proper bar area if you just want to look in later on and hear some fine fado over a couple of drinks.

A SEVERA
This family-owned fado house has been in the same hands since 1955 and has hosted many fine fadistas over the years. Current resident performers are Aina Santos, Natalino de Jésus, Fernando Sousa and Alzira de Sá. The minimum spend applies at any time and there are €49 fixed menus - it may sound a lot, but don't forget you're paying for the show too.

TASCa do Chico
Named after Francisco ‘Chico’ Gonçalves (who still makes regular appearances here, this tasca (or tavern) has become a mecca for fado vadio (amateur fado). It has also played host to a number of international cultural figures, from Marisa to the late Anthony Bourdain. Opened in 1996 in a former olive and sausage warehouse, the tasca has established itself as a place for fado lovers and amateurs alike, as well as a meeting point for professional musicians after concerts. The nights usually end late, but on a high note. Meanwhile, Chico has also opened a tasca in Alfama, on Rua dos Remédios.

CONTINUATION OF LISBON FADO RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PREVIOUS REPLY:

ASCa do Chico
Named after Francisco ‘Chico’ Gonçalves (who still makes regular appearances here, this tasca (or tavern) has become a mecca for fado vadio (amateur fado). It has also played host to a number of international cultural figures, from Marisa to the late Anthony Bourdain. Opened in 1996 in a former olive and sausage warehouse, the tasca has established itself as a place for fado lovers and amateurs alike, as well as a meeting point for professional musicians after concerts. The nights usually end late, but on a high note. Meanwhile, Chico has also opened a tasca in Alfama, on Rua dos Remédios.

TASCA DO JAIME
Fado vadio (amateur fado) reigns at Tasca do Jaime, which is packed out all weekend long with regulars enjoying codfish cakes, and glasses of red wine. When the singing starts at 4.00pm, drink prices go up, but it’s to pay the artists, so you can’t hold it against them. You won’t hear famous singers in this tavern in Graça, but you will experience the true essence of fado. Every week, the faithful return to sing it until their voices ache. Not in the neighbourhood? There’s another Tasca do Jaime in Alfama.

6. Tasca da Bela – Casa de FADOS
When it first opened on Rua dos Remédios in Alfama, this place was named Bela – Wines and Snacks, serving up long nights of wine, fado, poetry, and lively gatherings and establishing itself as a meeting spot for people from different generations. Times changed, and Bela adapted its business, transforming into a fado house. Those wanting to hear fado can come from Wednesday to Sunday and enjoy a codfish dinner whilst listening. Alternatively, from 10.30pm, you can try some pataniscas (cod fritters) or peixinhos da horta (vegetable fritters) – just make sure to keep quiet and go with the flow.

RICK STEVES
SFADO: THE LISBON BLUES
Just stroll the Alfama or the Bairro Alto neighborhoods of Lisbon
to find a small, informal fado bar.
It's after dark in Lisbon's ramshackle Alfama neighborhood. Old-timers gather in restaurants, which serve little more than grilled sardines, to hear and sing Portugal's mournful fado…a traditional lament. I grab the last chair in a tiny place, next to two mustachioed mandolin-pluckers hunched over their instruments, lost in their music. An old bald singer croons, looking like a turtle without a shell. There's not a complete set of teeth in the house.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/fado-the-lisbon-blues

ALFANA
Historic neighborhood characterized by narrow, steep streets and a blend of cultures, with scenic views, authentic local cuisine, and live Fado music in cozy eateries
Wonderful sights delight walkers at every turn in this culturally rich and charming part of Lisbon, which through its architecture reminds visitors of its Visigothic roots, Arabic influence and fishing port heritage.

TRIPADVISOR - Fado
Performances in Lisbon
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189158-Activities-c58-t111-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html

Live Music Venues in Lisbon
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189158-Activities-c58-t113-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html

Fado House Performances - 2 under $25
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189158-Activities-c58-t111-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html