The Hole Cruising Bar

The Hole is Porto's dedicated men-only cruise bar, set on Rua da Alegria in the gentrifying Bonfim district east of the centre. Behind an unremarkable door it runs the full cruise-bar format -- a dim bar, themed nights and darkrooms -- and has built a loyal following as the city's main indoor cruising venue, the kind of place that fills the gap between the saunas and the nightlife strip. It keeps late, weekend-focused hours and a men-only door policy. Portugal is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in Europe, but public sexual activity remains against the law, so the action stays behind closed doors here. A short taxi or walk from the centre puts you at the door.