The Shop
Housed in an old building in Bairro Alto, the Antigo 1º de Maio Restaurant was founded, according to the application form, in 1929. However, the first reference to an establishment at this location dates from 1941, when Constantino Gil Antão requested a license to carry out renovations. Between at least 1946 and 1974, the food and wine establishment belonged to José Pregal Fontes, and in 1982 it was owned by Serrão, Marques & Duarte Lda. Since 1983 and to the present day, it has been operated by the company Santos & Vitória Lda., with partners Manuel Araújo Calçada, Alcino dos Santos, and Mário João Custóias Nogueira.
Due to its long history, it contributed to the social and economic transformation of Bairro Alto, helping to create and establish new cultural and lifestyle dynamics. It forms part of the city’s mental map.
After the April 25th Revolution, it became a restaurant frequented by politicians, intellectuals, journalists, artists, actors, and filmmakers. Among many others, notable patrons include: Mário Soares, Baptista Bastos, Miguel Portas, Rita Blanco, José Fonseca e Costa, Júlio Pomar, António Costa and his mother (Maria Antónia Palla), Vitorino, António Vitorino d'Almeida, José Pedro Croft, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Maria and Inês de Medeiros, and Al Berto.
A few years ago, when the landlord attempted to shut the restaurant down, actress Rita Blanco led a petition—"Don't take away our 1º de Maio".
