Last weekend saw the final of the Champions League, and although football is low on this writer’s list of favourite things, even I became caught up in the festive atmosphere that pervaded San Pedro Alcántara as English team Liverpool battled Spanish rival Real Madrid.
San Pedro may be a small Spanish town, but it is nevertheless a cosmopolitan, multi-national location with a large British population, and it seemed the majority of them came out to support their team (or for Manchester United supporters, cheer for a Spanish win!).
Sports fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to bars in San Pedro to support their favourite squad, with the majority of the most popular football or rugby matches being shown on a large screen somewhere in town.
A relative new-comer, the GK Sports Pub and Café has swiftly established itself as a preferred location, with huge screens dotted both inside and outside on the large terrace. I am reliably informed that fans need never miss a minute of the game, with screens placed even inside the bathrooms! It’s such a popular venue that tables had been booked up days in advance and it was impossible to find a free seat on the day of the final.
We moved on to perennial favourite Hogan’s Stand, an Irish pub that has become a San Pedro Alcantára institution since its opening next to the Boulevard more than fourteen years ago. It is almost as well known for its freshly cooked fish and chips and bangers and mash (among many other hearty dishes) as it is for being a great venue for watching sport.
Making our way to Urban, we found a seat and settled back to watch the thrilling match. A somewhat different proposition, Urban is more a bar offering food that also has TV screens – and there is a billiard table and comfy sofas inside and out, for those who aren’t interested in the game.
The final proved well worth the effort and San Pedro did itself proud, with locals, foreign residents and holiday-makers cheerfully applauding their teams side-by-side in an atmosphere of friendly rivalry. Long may it continue!
RW