Alfama is considered one of the birthplaces of fado in Lisbon. And it is in this historic neighborhood that you’ll find a sort of mecca for fans of this musical genre, designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2011: Mesa de Frades.
Housed in the former chapel of the 18th-century Dona Rosa Palace, with walls lined with tile panels, this venue offers an intimate encounter with Portuguese culture—which, during the “Fado at Midnight” sessions, lasts well into the early morning.
The voices of several well-known artists have echoed here, including Celeste Rodrigues—sister of Portuguese music diva Amália Rodrigues—and Carminho, among others. In operation since 2006, according to this article from Fugas, Mesa de Frades has welcomed both established names and new voices.
13 November 2026 00:00 + more dates
Tandem Palacio Alfama
What can you expect from this experience?
When midnight strikes, the Mesa de Frades restaurant blends tradition, improvisation, and camaraderie for a special evening. For about two hours, a professional fado singer leads an open-mic session and invites other voices to take the stage.
The experience is available on various dates, with tickets priced at €15. It’s an opportunity to listen to fado well into the early morning and let yourself be swept away by the music, on a night where there’s room for unexpected musical encounters.
If you’d prefer to dine while listening to live fado, Mesa de Frades offers another experience, which requires a separate reservation. The €15 ticket is for the “Fado at Midnight” session only.
An old chapel with many lives
There are many fado venues, but few have a history like this one. According to its official website, the chapel was deconsecrated after the great earthquake of 1755 and later served as a coal warehouse—with its treasures hidden beneath a coat of paint—and eventually as a tavern. In 2017, it was restored to its original two-story layout and its tile panels, which had been hidden beneath layers of paint.
Added to this history is the legend of Dona Rosa. According to the story shared by the venue itself, this woman of Spanish origin was the owner of the old palace and the mistress of King José I. The same legend recounts that, after the devastating earthquake, the king ordered the palace and the chapel to be rebuilt.
Address: Rua dos Remédios 139 A, Alfama
Hours: Between midnight and 2 a.m., on various dates to be selected via the ticket
selector Tickets: €15 (adult), no booking fees, on sale at Fever
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and now on WhatsApp too!