Alcohol regulations take effect starting today
In a shift that kicked off on March 1st, 2023, Porto's downtown area gets slapped with a broadened "lockdown zone," effectively transforming it into an alcoholic beverage sales hotspot exclusively for cafés, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs post-9 pm. Supermarkets, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and wine cellars are ousted from the nightlife game within this area[2][4].
This move is a move to take a jab at the pesky "botellons" problem - informal street drinking gatherings frequently fueled by booze brought from homes or bought during daylight hours from excluded establishments[1]. To drive this point home, inspectors will be conducting rigid, hardcore patrols, meting out robust fines to reinforce public safety and instill a sense of comfort among the citizens[1].
Another notable tweak to the regulations includes a revamp of the sanctioning framework for violations. This update introduces a novel mechanism for the expedited closure of errant establishments that compromise the safety and well-being of patrons. In "adverse situations," justified by the authorities, establishments can face immediate revocation, while temporary closures serve as an additional penalty[1].
It's important to note that economic agents with a history of lawbreakings will no longer be granted access to extended opening hours[1]. The head of the Association of Bars and Nightclubs of Movida do Porto acknowledged that the stricter sanctions might help curb issues, but they don't settle them[1]. He maintained that the "botellons" issue primarily revolves around alcohol purchased outside nightlife venues.
Similarly, the Portuguese Association of Bars and Nightclubs president, Ricardo Tavares, expressed doubt over whether the changes to Porto's nightlife would abolish the "botellon" issue entirely[2]. He opined that the new regulations would burden the business owners even further, adding more woes to an already tough situation[2].
[1] https://www.portugalresident.com/new-porto-nightlife-regulations-announced/[2] https://www.thelocal.pt/20230224/night-travel-restrictions-coming-to-portugal-in-june-2025/[3] https://www.efe.com/efe/english/portugal/portugal-imposes- tougher-nightlife-restrictions-in-porto/50001423-4899196[4] https://www.portugalresident.com/porto-to-further-clamp-down-on-nightlife-establishments-following- terrorist-attacks/[5] https://www.thelocal.pt/20220207/portugal-nightlife-guns-drunkenness-drugs-and-music-without-limits/
The new regulations in Porto aim to tackle the problem of "botellons" by restricting the sale of alcoholic beverages to cafés, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs after 9 pm, while supermarkets, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and wine cellars are prohibited from selling alcohol within the lockdown zone.
Despite these stricter regulations and the revamp of the sanctioning framework, the Portuguese Association of Bars and Nightclubs president, Ricardo Tavares, remains skeptical about whether these changes will completely resolve the "botellons" issue, as alcohol purchased outside nightlife venues is a significant factor.
