Portugal is a very popular holiday destination. It’s typically pretty affordable, and it’s replete with historic cities, incredible food, stunning beaches, and cheap booze.
However, since June 25th 2025, one of its major cities has been undergoing an alcohol consumption crackdown aimed at curbing antisocial behaviour.
The city is known for its spontaneous gatherings in summer evenings, with people congregating on corners with drinks, free-flowing conversation and music.
This phenomenon is known as ‘botellon’, and it’s actually a Spanish import that’s become popular across Portugal. For some locals, the often-charming botellon has become cause for concern and authorities in Porto have taken action to bring the gatherings under tighter control.
As of June 25th, supermarkets, convenience shops, and souvenir shops within a ‘Containment Zone’ have an alcohol-selling curfew active between 9pm and 8am. During that window, alcohol is only available for sale at cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
The Containment Zone covers the entirety of Porto’s downtown.
Filipa Correia Pinto, councillor for Economic Activities, told Lusa news agency that the move was specifically focused on curbing botellons and general alcohol consumption in public.
"What justifies this is our conviction that this 'botellon' phenomenon in various parts of the city is damaging and having an impact on urban safety," she said.
Per Portugal News, establishments found to be flouting the new rules can be closed immediately by authorities, albeit temporarily.
The city’s mayor, Rui Moreira, was reported as saying ‘what we noticed is that the successive application of fines did not dissuade economic agents from continuing to violate the rules, because paying the fine was worth it, because the fines were low’.
While the move might be welcomed by some locals, not everyone is convinced the measure will have a meaningful impact on the growing botellon culture.
“The ‘botellon’ issue is significant because it often involves drinks that people bring from home or purchase from supermarkets during the day, so it’s not the venues selling these drinks for street consumption,” said Miguel Camões, Porto Nightlife Bars and Discos Association president, per Portugal Pulse.
Camões instead believes that broader legislation imposed upon public alcohol consumption would do more to reduce the rate of botellon drinking.
Ricardo Tavares, the president of the Portuguese Bars and Discos Association, agreed with Camões’s take, noting that he believes the ban ‘lacks wisdom’ and ‘operationally [won’t] bring any improvement’.
Speaking to Lusa, Tavares added: "All the measures are welcome, but they won't solve it. The botellon issue is an important one, because it often involves drinks that people bring from home or buy in supermarkets during the day.”
Featured Image Credit: Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images
Rachael Davis