The idea is to bring the Portuguese and expat community together through live music events
North of Lisbon, a group of hard-working folks were putting the finishing touches to a new bar opening in the world-famous castle town of Óbidos. If you didn’t know any better, you’d assume this was a construction team, keen to get to the end of the job ready for the owners to make the most of the Easter tourism trade. But you’d be wrong. Very wrong.
The Prohibition Bar, which opened on Friday, March 29, is unlike any other bistro-bar in Portugal. This is a private enterprise with a difference – an LDA where over 70 shareholders of different nationalities from the local and expat community have committed together to investing in and reviving a bar to serve residents and tourists alike.
Nestled beside the impressive 16th century viaduct in Óbidos, the bar, which has been completely transformed by local tradesmen and volunteers, is built around the theme of a 1920s speak-easy.
Director Richard Allen explains: “In the early days after the Covid-19 lockdowns, we likened the previous few months to the prohibition era (the period in the United States where sale of alcohol had been banned leading to the rise of bootlegging and illegal drinking spots) and so, amongst a small group of friends, the idea of creating a 1920’s themed speak-easy bar here captured our imaginations…”
When the opportunity arose to take on a premises that was being vacated, Richard and co-director Simon Pilkington decided to bring the dream to life.
Simon adds: “We thought this was the time to try to co-create a venture with likeminded individuals in a historic building that had never reached its full potential. We put out a prospectus on the vision we had, and were overwhelmed by the response… Whilst there are obviously plenty of community association bars, we believe that we are completely unique with this set-up here in Portugal.”
In 2023, Richard teamed up with Joe Mac, a well-known champion of new artists and original music, and together they founded the non-profit organisation Communities Unite. The idea was to bring the Portuguese and expat population together through live music events held at a nearby village.
He says: “Communities Unite showed us that there is a huge appetite to create a high quality, family friendly live music and sports venue on the Silver Coast that is affordable for everybody.”
The Prohibition Bar is staffed by a Portuguese hospitality management team, serving local craft ales, a full restaurant menu including fresh Portuguese ‘petiscos’ and Portuguese beers on draft. Internally, the site has been completely renovated to increase kitchen space, maximise restaurant seating and incorporate an inside sport viewing area.
The outside area features a new all-weather stage, a kids play area and has been laid with synthetic grass to create a clean, family-friendly space to spend the summer watching live music.
Richard adds: “This area is home to a vibrant music scene, and we’ll be inviting established acts that people know and love, as well as up and coming artists to perform on our stages throughout the year…..We invite the whole of the Silver Coast to the Number 1 venue for live music, sport, food, drink and great times.”
By Beccy Haywood
