"Somewhere to watch the football" might be the most-asked question in every Algarve expat group ever created. Here is the shortlist we would give a friend: the Vilamoura Marina cluster, where three bars within a short walk of each other cover every fixture, the Albufeira options for a match in the sun, and the at-home answer for the games you would rather watch from your own sofa. Between them they cover football, golf, rugby and GAA, and most add live music or karaoke for after the final whistle. No more scrolling group comments at ten to three on a Saturday.
Marina sports bar since 2007, co-owned by Luis Figo, with big-screen sport, nightly karaoke and cocktails.
Why we picked it
Vilamoura Marina's sports bar since 2007, co-owned by Luis Figo, with a terrace overlooking the harbour. Major sport around the clock on big screens, football, golf, rugby and GAA included, then karaoke every night from 10pm through the season.
Long-running Irish bar on Vilamoura Marina: live music nightly, live sport, Sunday carvery and function bookings for weddings and parties.
Why we picked it
The Irish vote on the marina, trading for more than a decade: live sport on big screens indoors and out, live music every night from 9pm, and a Sunday carvery worth planning the fixture list around.
Rock music bar on Vilamoura Marina since 2004, with flair bartending shows, happy hour and live sport.
Why we picked it
On the marina since 2004 and built around rock music, beer and flair bartending. Live sport broadcasts with happy hour promotions, and interactive bar shows for the half-time entertainment.
The biggest sun terrace on the Albufeira strip. Cooper's Bar & Kitchen serves food all day, runs karaoke every evening, and hosts the legendary Bottomless…
Why we picked it
The biggest sun terrace on the Albufeira strip, with live sport on the giant screen and food served from 9:30am right through to 4am. Karaoke every evening, and the Bottomless Boozy Brunch if the group is making a day of it.
Grill and cocktail bar at the entrance of Albufeira old town, with live music, big-screen sports and a sunny terrace.
Why we picked it
At the entrance to Albufeira old town: big-screen live sport on a spacious sunny terrace, with piri piri chicken from the grill and a full cocktail list. A proper match-plus-dinner option.
@channelhoppertv
Do you miss UK TV? ChannelHopper lets you watch BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more from anywhere in the Algarve, no VPN, no buffering, from just…
Why we picked it
For the games you would rather watch at home: ChannelHopper streams BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more anywhere in the Algarve with no VPN and no buffering, and works with your own subscriptions for Sky Go and others.
