If you’re looking to have a great time in Thailand, go to Khaosan Road. It’s loud. It’s noisy. It’s full of tourists. And that’s the point.
If you’re looking to have a great time in Lisbon, go to Pink Street. It will, for better or worse, remind you of all the times you spent going out when you could have been doing other productive things.
But do proceed with caution. The last time I was on Pink Street, I met up with my friend from Shanghai. As a result of that encounter, I missed my flight the next day (see Travel Lesson Lisbon: Friend Reunion Led to Missed Flight).
My first night in Pink Street was quite tame, i.e., I made it back up the hill to Barrio Alto with my soul intact. My second go around did not go as smoothly. The evening started calm but became more rambunctious. The next day I woke up saying something I have repeated for over a decade: I’m getting too old for this shit.
The third time in Pink Street…
The fourth time in Pink Street…
TPOL’s Tip: There are many bars in Pink Street, but the standard routine is a cocktail at Collect, followed by ‘networking’ at Pensão Amor, culminating in the frat party at Oasis.
TPOL’s Tip: You can bargain for the shawarma. 2 euros instead of 3.
TPOL’s Tip: Bookmark this page as I’ll be going back to Pink Street.