Lagos, Portugal - Casa Rosa and Joe's Garage
If you're a budget traveler or backpacking Europe, Lagos is a
cheap slice of paradise. Casa Rosa is the place for general
sustenance, while Joe's Garage is a place to let go.
Casa Rosa
Casa Rosa claims to be the haven for backpackers in Lagos. The
more you travel, the more you know such claims are rarely true.
With Casa Rosa, however, I can confirm the claim is true. This
hole in the wall served heaping mounds of the food of the day
for really cheap prices. It was packed with backpackers, which
made it a good place to meet people and exchange war stories.
I haven't been to Portugal for four years, so I have to attach a
caveat to recommending Casa Rosa. When I first visited Casa Rosa
in the 1990's, it was owned by a couple of Brits, who were
apparently trying to sell it. I dropped in twice in subsequent
years and they were still there and still trying to sell it.
Whether this ever occurred, I can't really say so keep in mind
there may be a new owner or the place may not exist at all.
Joe's Garage
In every town or city, there is one "underground" night spot you
just have to visit. Of course, you first have to find out about
it and then figure out where it is. People "in the know"
typically heavily guard this information. For years, Joe's
Garage has been such a place in Lagos.
The recommend attire for Joe's Garage is a bathing suit, t-shirt
and flip flops. The place appears to have no ventilation
whatsoever and is insanely hot. Turning a negative into a
positive, the owners have a strong water policy. Water shoots
out of the ceiling, mouths of statutes on the wall and water
guns expertly aimed by bartenders. If you were glasses, just
leave them at home.
Joe's is open from around ten in the evening until the hour you
stagger out. It is located on Rua Primiero de Mayo, but don't
bother writing that down. The place has so little signage that
you could be standing in front and completely miss it. The best
way to find it is to follow the late night crowd as they begin
filing out of the bars around midnight.
Lagos is an ideal spot for budget travelers. The town is has
beaches, nightlife and is cheap. Enjoy!