Positioned at the top end of the Elevador da Bica, this laid-back lounge bar is a favourite with cool and collected Lisboetas. Friendly owner and man-about-town Mikas was responsible for the immensely popular (but now defunct bar-cum-hairdressers) WIP.

His personal collection of clocks and film projectors dominate the front room, whose marble walls are over 100 years old. This area, which Mikas refers to as his ‘past’, was once a tasca (a traditional Portuguese drinking-hole). ‘

The Future’, a large room (for Lisbon) that lies next door, is a carefully configured comfort zone. Giant beanbags fill the floor space and rainbow-coloured lights can be dimmed to reflect the atmosphere. Regular art exhibitions adorn the walls, and film projections roll over a soundtrack provided by a different DJ every night.

A mixed crowd of arty types, clubbers and local shop owners gather to enjoy the latest in hip house and future soul. Fun and unpretentious.