Lisbon's Cais do Sodre neighborhood was the city's red light district until the late last century. With ships disembarking at this busy transportation hub filled with docks and warehouses, seamen starving for female touch were headed to the closest pleasure houses where love was sold by the hour.
The bohemian neighborhood attracted the bourgeois, artists, writers, musicians, streetwalkers, and consequently, criminals whose legendary stories are now told through art in the post-prostitution-era nightlife spots.
When Portugal made prostitution illegal in , it sealed the faith of the district - or so people thought. However, lucrative locals saw great potential in its revitalization, and in , Pink Street was opened. This quirky urban space is dotted with colorful umbrellas, and its asphalt is painted pink. So, Cais do Sodre's shady history is a thing of the past, and Pink Street today has the highest concentration of bars and nightclubs.
The hotel's reception is decorated like the anteroom of a luxurious brothel. A menu that looks like a poster presents the rooms of Madam's Lodge with a number and a short history of one of its supposed former harlots. The concept of burlesque shows alongside handcrafted drinks was a big success among locals and visitors alike. So, the owners decided to extend the business with unique accommodations aimed at people over 16 and opened Madam's Lodge, featuring 22 themed rooms - sixty years after the prohibition started.
And if you are looking to learn a new skill, there are pole dancing classes to take! His unique urban art can be seen all over Lisbon. Usually, hotels name their rooms after their bed setups or the view they offer.
