Mourisco Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in Portimão

An interesting themed bar on the main bar strip. Lots of attention to decor which is really cool, especially if you're looking for something fresh and different from the usual Portuguese bars, Irish pubs, or other very touristy bars.

I appreciate what they're trying to do in Alvor, but it seems like they want to be a nightclub more than a cocktail bar: blue and pink neon lights. DJs. Blasting generic dance music. Basic sweet drinks.

The music is far too loud. It was Saturday night and maybe only 6 other people were inside. Nobody dancing. It was very difficult to talk to my friends and just enjoy the cocktails. I get it if there's a DJ and the place is packed for dancing, but it was a bit odd for a cocktail bar. Very few places manage to mesh nightclub with cocktail bar well. And for good reason.

Strange that they police where you sit as well, considering there are no reserved tables and it seems more like a nightclub. We started as 2 people, settled in, and then were told we can't sit on that side of the bar because we aren't enough people for the 4 seat table, even though the bar was empty. We moved to the table they told us to sit at, and no one else came in during our stay so it seemed a bit weird to move people like that. When our third person arrived, we just stayed put. No point in moving around again. Felt a bit uncomfortable.

They have a decent size cocktail menu, but unfortunately, they are all incredibly sweet, and most are vodka-based, which also tends to imply a nightclub or amateur mixology vibe. Based on some of the photos and reviews, I thought it would have more refined, balanced drinks. It's too bad because with the theme, there could be so many creative and unique options for a signature cocktail menu that is coherent with the theme, but they're not and it's just a random mishmash of themetically-unrelated cocktails. Where is the Moorish or Moroccan influence that the bar plays on for the name (historically and culturally significant) and decor? Music and drinks do not reflect it or any significance of that at all.

But then again, this place is on the strip and seems to want to pull in young, drunk tourists. And kids like that want sweet and simple. So, I understand the decisions, but unfortunately, when I read "cocktail bar" as the name of a place, I expect more, and this just doesn't live up to standards I personally look for. I imagine it's just fine, if not excellent, for most holiday people (Brits mainly, who like super sugary, weak cocktails). In fact, as it is, it seems to attract aging British tourists, rather than the young crowd the atmosphere is catering to.

There's nothing wrong with it as a fun spot to hang out, dance, and get a margarita. But if you're looking for a more mature cocktail lounge and the drinks that come with that, this isn't it. At least not on Saturdays.

Maybe it's different during the week? I think I'll try again for a better review because the bartender seemed very nice and it would have been good to sit at...

We went in for drinks and a boogie after the Soulnetwork carnival. The service is so so. It is not a place that appreciates female clientele. You will be ignored for a male customer at the bar, and if you get harassed by a drunk or high make customer, you are told to ignore them or go elsewhere. So, advice to females is to go with guy friends or skip this place. Second time here, it was better last year. Perhaps the football crowd this year...

The best cocktails I have ever had. We have gone to cocktail bars all over the world and have never found one that can match Mourisco bar, their attention to detail is second to none and the staff will always make you feel at home and make sure you are looked after. Sit inside at the bar if you want to be entertained by the bartender who makes every cocktail for the whole bar or sit outside and watch the crowds of people on the main...