Located just off the northwest coast of Africa, Madeira is Portugal’s most captivating island. Of volcanic origin and subtropical, it offers dramatic landscapes, abundant sunshine and an array of bars where you should savour the local wines and spirits.
Beautifully nicknamed the 'Pearl of the Atlantic,' Madeira was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century who introduced sugarcane, wine grapes and various tropical fruits to the island. Therefore, when in Madeira, drinking Madeira wines (both fortified and table wines), local rums and the resulting Poncha cocktail should be on your must-drink list.
Here are our top five bars around the island.
If you want to learn about Madeira wine, its history and the production method, the best place to go is Blandy's Wine Lodge in the city centre of Funchal. However, if you want to enjoy Madeira wine with a twist, then visiting Nos Copos is essential. (Or why not do both!).
Owned by Alberto Silva, the President of Madeira’s Bartender Association who also has a charming restaurant up on the hill at the Quinta das Cruzes museum in Funchal, Nos Copos is one of the most popular cocktail bars in the capital city well frequented by locals. Here you can enjoy cocktails creatively made using Madeira wines. Be it the dry Sercial, medium-dry Verdelho, medium sweet Boal, or sweet Malmsey, you will find a carefully curated cocktail menu to enhance the characteristics of each style.
They also have classic cocktails and local wines on the menu with sharing platters or snacks to go with the drinks. Bright and stylish interior, Nos Copos has live music every week featuring local musicians.
Sugarcane was introduced to Madeira whe nit was first discovered and the island became Europe’s largest producer of sugar in the 15th century. The sugar refining techniques still in use all over the world fwere invented in Madeira.
Even though sugarcane plantations decreased in the 16th century, in the 1930s, there were still 6,500 hectares of sugarcane in Madeira. Today there are just 172 hectares left. Against all odds, local distilled rum from Madeira sugarcane is currently enjoying a revival and Madeira Rum House is where you can taste them.
Located in the Funchal Old Town near the São Tiago Fortress, the bar offers flights of different rums as well as Rum-based cocktails.
You cannot talk abut Madeiran drinks without mentioning poncha. This traditional cocktail is made from half rum, half fruit juice, deliciously easy to drink and extremely popular with tourists and locals. Beware: poncha is potent, so be careful not to be deceived by the drink’s innocent and inviting look.
The traditional drink is so treasured that it is now protected by EU law via its own Protected Geographical Indication of Poncha da Madeira to protect its authenticity and typicity.
The original fisherman’s poncha (Poncha à Pescador) is said to have been created in the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos by the fishermen's wives in order to warm their husbands’ stomachs in the cold nights of Câmara de Lobos. The use of Madeira rum is a must, with honey, sugar, and lemon juice, mixed using a special wooden muddler official called mexelote but more commonly known as caralhinho (meaning little penis) by locals. There are now many variations to include other fruit juices such as passion fruit.
There are many places to enjoy poncha or two in town. Bar Number Two can be found in both Funchal Old Town and Câmara de Lobos. A pretty much non-frill poncha bar popular with locals, offering various flavours of poncha.
Musa Lounge Bar is modern and unconventional. Opened in May 2021, this trendy cocktail bar is on Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia, a street abuzz with restaurants. They offer a huge selection of craft beers and spirits from around the world and a creative cocktail menu. Ask for a simple Madeira wine tonic to start with, then try the popular Watermelon Gin High, or just stick with a glass of Portuguese wine or craft beer and enjoy the great vibes.
The capital city Funchal has the most vibrant nightlife and bars but going west towards Calheta is worth the trip.
Pukiki Tiki Bar is the only Polynesian-themed bar on the island. Pukiki means Portuguese in the Hawaiian language, and Tiki is the name given to the carved idols symbolising ancestral figures in Polynesian culture. Owner Carla and Martin created this special space to celebrate the link between Madeira and Hawaii, harking back to 1878 when the first Portuguese set sail to Hawaii to work in the growing sugarcane industry. Manuel Nunes, the inventor of the ukulele, was one of the settlers who arrived in 1879 and became a major force in the transformation of the Madeiran machete into the Hawaiian ukulele.
Pukiki Tiki Bar specialises in serving rum-based and classic cocktails and has over 130 rums on the list, including local Madeira rums.
Maktub Pub in Paúl Do Mar on the western tip of the island is considered one of the best bars to watch the sunset. The small but colourful bar is located right next to the beach. Make sure you grab a seat an hour before the sunset, mojito in hand, watching the sky painting itself in shades of pastel orange, pink and blue.
Maktub Pub features reggae music and hosts regular live gigs that often lead to a sunset party by the beach.
