Funchal is not a late-night city. During the week most places wind down early, but Friday and Saturday nights bring the town to life with bars, clubs, and hotel entertainment running into the small hours. The scene ranges from quiet harbor-side drinks to full-on nightclubs with samba shows.
Beer House
Sit at the end of the marina with a glass of the house-brewed beer or local wine and watch the sun set over the water. Simple, well-positioned, and exactly what you want after a day of walking.
Joe's Bar
Ask the locals where to get the best cocktails in Funchal and they will point you here. Frequent specials and a reliable atmosphere.
Casino Copacabana
Head to the casino for a drink at the bars around the gaming floor, then go downstairs to the Copacabana for live music or a DJ set. The casino itself has slot machines and table games with a dress code.
Moonlight Bar
In the Tivoli Ocean Park Hotel. Dancers and singers perform variety musicals on Thursday nights. Good drinks at reasonable prices the rest of the week.
Formula 1
One of the few clubs open during the week until the early hours. Multiple dance floors plus gambling machines, table football, and snooker on the upper level.
Fugitivo
Near the Casino Park Hotel, Fugitivo is popular for its colorful samba shows performed by Brazilian dancers. Worth a visit even if nightclubs are not normally your thing.
O Molhe
A disco built on top of an old fort, enclosed in glass so you can see the city and the sea while dancing. There is also an open-air bar on the terrace. Open Friday and Saturday from midnight to 6 a.m.
Vespas
The biggest disco in Funchal and the most popular with locals. Open Wednesday through Sunday from midnight to 6 a.m., plus the night before any public holiday.