Yes, we can drink alcoholic beverages in public, within some limits. You can't do it between 2am and 8am (except in certain specific areas like music festivals). This cuts down on drunks making noise when most people want to sleep. Also you can't buy booze if you're under 18 or if you're visibly inebriated.

Open drinking in Lisbon is historically common, but as of early 2026, the city has implemented stricter regulations to manage nighttime noise and public order. While you can still enjoy a drink on a licensed outdoor terrace (esplanada), new municipal laws ban the sale of alcohol for street consumption in many popular nightlife districts like Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré after 11:00 PM on weeknights and midnight on weekends. These rules aim to protect residents' "right to rest" and reduce street litter. Fines for individuals violating these rules can reach up to €1,000, while establishments selling for street consumption face even steeper penalties. During the day, it is generally tolerated to have a quiet drink in a public park or square, but the era of massive, unrestricted street parties with store-bought beverages is being curtailed by local authorities seeking a more balanced urban environment.