Smack bang in the middle of Principe Real, Lisbon's lively gay quarter, drinkers could be forgiven for mistaking Cinco Lounge as one of the same ilk. Being the non-judgemental lot we are at BarChick, we weren't going to let the chance of seeing a few topless bears put us off our search for Lisbon's best cocktail. On first impressions, Cinco has a bit of an old school circa-1970 vibe about it; long velvet curtain, smoked glass tables, soft lighting, and music that wouldn't go amiss in a porn film from the same era. Then your eyes are drawn to the sexy, sexy collection of spirit bottles aback the bar, and you know you're in a BarChick worthy cocktail heaven.

When owner Dave Palethorpe (English guy and all round good geezer) decided Lisbon needed an excellent cocktail bar, he didn't do things by half. When in need of an energy boost, a stupidly alcoholic coffee is obviously the way to go; make way for Cinco's 8Ball, a daring twist on the Espresso Martini swapping vodka for whisky and garnished with a welcome side of salted chocolate. - as this chick's yardstick on testing cocktail bars the coffee cocktail get Cinco and easy 8.