Fado in Coimbra

We went to a performance at Fado a Ocentro in October 2023. It is a cultural center that has a music school and nightly performances. The style is typical Coimbra Fado featuring the Coimbra style guitar and male singers. The nightly performances start at 6:00 p.m. which makes is easy to view Fado, go and have a nice dinner nearby and have an early evening.

We chose to go to Fado a Ocentro because we had already saw a Fado performance at a restaurant in Lisbon. The restaurant experience usually starts later in the evening and combines good food and music.

One other note, we were staying up near the University, so when we walked in the evening, we often heard impromptu Fado performances from students.

We went to a free performance at Cafe Santa Cruz next to the church. The performances were, I believe, at 6pm and 10pm and lasted about an hour. At the end of the performance one performer will pass the hat and try to sell their CD.

For food and drinks, the cafe was cash only.

I'll put in a second recommendation for Fado ao Centro. It was several years ago that I attended -- Dec. 2017 -- but it was an enjoyable performance, in a quaint setting. I don't know whether it is always, or still, the case, but after the performance I attended, they served port, and the performers and hostess, all of whom spoke English, mingled with the audience for discussion and questions.

@ Faedus:

[I don't know whether it is always, or still, the case, but after the performance I attended, they served port, and the performers and hostess, all of whom spoke English, mingled with the audience for discussion and questions.]

In October 2023, they were still offering port and the performers were there to answer questions. They also had merchandise for sale.

@SandyO: It was good to read that at least as of a year ago, Fado ao Centro was carrying on as I recall from 2017. As for the merchandise, I did in fact buy a double-CD of their fado music, and I'm glad I did -- it's a great recording.