€€Centro HistoricoMonday to Thursday 17:00-01:00; Friday 17:00-03:00; Saturday 16:00-03:00; Sunday 16:00-01:00
Opened in 2016 by childhood friends Tiago and Vitor, Mal Amado sits on the street of bars behind the cathedral with 12 craft beers on tap and around 100.
Tip: Ask what arrived this week in the rotating taps: the guest craft slots change every Tuesday and the team has strong curation instincts.
€€CividadeMonday to Thursday 15:00-02:00; Friday to Saturday 15:00-04:00; Sunday 19:00-01:00
In the Cividade neighbourhood, Barhaus occupies a room filled with vintage objects, concert posters and an eclectic selection of furniture. The natural wine.
Tip: Come on a Tuesday when the new natural wine rotation lands. The bar posts the new arrivals on Instagram and the queue for first pours is minimal early in the week.
€€CividadeMonday to Thursday 17:00-01:00; Friday 17:00-02:00; Saturday 15:00-02:00; Sunday 15:00-midnight
The Braga taproom for Cerveja Letra, one of northern Portugal's most respected craft breweries. Twenty-three taps pour the full brewery range daily.
Tip: The Letra Black stout is the bartenders' recommendation for first-timers. The seasonal releases sell out: check their social media for the current limited tap.
€€Centro HistoricoDaily 12:00-23:00
The Belgian tavern of Braga: imported Belgian beers on tap and in bottles, a wide craft beer fridge and Braga's most beer-serious version of francesinha.
Tip: The francesinha here uses a deeper beer-based sauce than the Porto originals. Order the full version with fries and a Belgian Tripel.
€€Centro HistoricoTuesday to Sunday 18:00-23:00
The most atmospheric drinking space in Braga: a 350-year-old arched stone cellar offering vinho verde flights, Douro reds and charcuterie petiscos.
Tip: Order a vinho verde tasting flight of three producers for around €12. The cellar temperature keeps the wines at perfect serving temperature year-round without refrigeration.
€€São LázaroThursday to Saturday 22:00-03:00
A small cocktail bar in the Santa Bárbara area with a genuine speakeasy feel: low lighting, limited seats and carefully made classic cocktails nightly.
Tip: The owner makes everything himself. Tell him your flavour preferences and let him build something off-menu; the results consistently impress.