European football finals season is upons and reservations will be filling up fast at restaurants and bars across Cyprus to watch some of the continent’s top athletes take on each other.
Whether you want to watch the FA Cup final on Saturday, 16 May at 17:00, the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday 20 May at 22:00, the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday 23 May at 19:00, the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday 27 May at 22:00, or the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday 30 May at 19:00, the atmosphere across the island is set to be electric.
Below is a breakdown of some of the best spots to watch the games region by region.
Ayia Napa and Protaras
Java
The much-loved restaurant on Pernera Avenue in Protaras is open on weekdays from 6pm and at weekends from morning until midday for brunch and in the evening for dinner, it offers stylish outdoor and indoor spaces, with comfortable sofas, low and high tables, and designer lighting, showing all football matches on its large screens.
Pernera Avenue 58-60, Protaras, 23730830.
Joker Square Bar, Ayia Napa
Located on Nissi Avenue, Joker Square Bar is a strong choice for those who want to watch the big game on multiple screens while enjoying a relaxed meal or drinks with friends. The venue combines a buzzing bar atmosphere with live music and shows, a varied food menu and a wide drinks selection, making it suitable for both football nights and longer evenings out. Favourite options include burgers, souvlaki, pasta dishes, cocktails and sharing plates, served in a bright, energetic space with a holiday mood.
Nissi Avenue 81, Ayia Napa.
Craig’s Bar
Craig’s Bar is one of Ayia Napa’s long-running nightlife spots, with a strong Scottish character and a lively match-day atmosphere. It is known for showing football across big screens while also keeping the mood upbeat with music and karaoke. It is more of a classic bar than a food-led pub, so expect beers, cocktails, fishbowls and a high-energy crowd rather than a full dinner. A good stop for those who want a loud and exciting atmosphere for the game.
Ayias Mavris 32, Ayia Napa.
Nicosia
Moondog’s Bar and Grill
Moondog’s has now established itself as one of the best-known pub-restaurants in the capital, known for its football nights, epic festivals and impressive burgers on the menu.
Some of the standout selections include Beer Nachos and the legendary Thunderstruck, a burger tribute to AC/DC. It is a triple burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, fried egg, pickled cucumber, onion rings, lettuce and tomato, served with coleslaw and a choice of fries, curly fries or mashed potatoes.
Its wide range of unique beers from every corner of the globe is constantly being updated, with more than 45 new beers added in recent days to the list of available options.
Mykinon 7, Nicosia, 70006300.
B.R. Hub
Located in the Stavrou area of Strovolos, slightly away from the centre, this pub has managed to attract people from every corner of Nicosia, football fans and non-football fans alike, thanks to its atmosphere, very good food and reasonable prices.
From the menu, you can quickly single out the Local Derbyburger, with fried egg, bacon, mushrooms and bacon-flavoured sauce; Le Tour, with brie and homemade raspberry jam; and the baby ribs marinated in barbecue sauce, which can be paired with coleslaw, fries, tabbouleh or wild rice.
Athinon 22, Strovolos, Nicosia, 22252825.
Babylon
One of the capital’s best-known beer bars, Babylon is decorated with retro posters, plays classic rock music and stands out for the relaxed atmosphere of its well-kept outdoor area.
At Babylon you can choose from a huge variety of beer labels from around the world. Favourite menu choices include the tandoori souvlaki and juicy burgers, as well as mixed grill platters that can be shared with your group.
Iasonos 6, Nicosia, 22665757.
Limassol
Chesters Bar and Restaurant
Chesters is one of Limassol’s oldest and best-known pub-restaurants. In its welcoming atmosphere, football fans regularly enjoy matches alongside dishes from its huge menu, with options for every preference.
A popular starter choice is the Buffalo Chicken Wings, served with blue cheese sauce. The burgers are cooked in the specialised Josper wood-fired oven and made with a 100% USDA beef patty, teriyaki onion, tomato, lettuce, grilled red pepper, bacon, red cheddar cheese and Japanese mayonnaise, served in a freshly baked brioche bun with fries and barbecue sauce.
You can pair it with the excellent French Onions and one of the beers from the menu, always served ice-cold.
Amathountos Avenue 194, Limassol, 25025555.
Draught Microbrewery
For decades, Draught Microbrewery has remained one of the most reliable choices for food in the Castle area of Limassol. Although it has a beautiful courtyard right next to the imposing medieval building, it won us over with its interior space.
It brings to mind a classic brewery, with the warmth of wood and leather sofas from where you can enjoy your beer while keeping up with the outcome of every match.
Order the chicken wings, the huge steaks, the slow-cooked pork knuckle or the lamb shank slow-cooked in Commandaria.
Gerrard’s Kitchen
Gerrard’s Kitchen Bar is a strong football-night choice in Limassol. Based on Amathountos Avenue in Agios Tychonas, it is close to the seafront and firmly tied to the city’s Liverpool fanatics. Limassol Reds list it as their current home, making it an obvious stop for Liverpool fans, whether they want to get behind their English counterparts or enjoy watching them fail.
The food leans into grilled favourites, with chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, mixed kebab, sheftalia and platters on the menu. The souvlaki is the one to go for here, especially with Greek salad, fries and tzatziki, while the venue’s sports-bar setting, large screens and lively atmosphere make it a safe pick for a big match with friends.
Amathountos Avenue 70, Agios Tychonas, Limassol, 70000532
Paphos
The Flying Pig Sports Bar and Grill
The Flying Pig is a strong choice in Kato Paphos for the Champions League final, especially if you want the match with a proper food menu rather than just drinks. The venue describes itself as a sports bar and grill with multiple screens showing football and other live sport, alongside burgers, steaks, ribs, cocktails and a wide beer selection. A good pick for a lively, modern match-night setting with food at the centre of the evening.
1 Pari Street, Kato Paphos, 97933944
Monara Live Music Sports Bar
Monara is another safe Paphos option for the final, combining big-screen sport with a fuller night-out atmosphere. The venue says it shows football and other major sport on multiple big screens with sound, while also offering cocktails, beers, wood-fired pizzas, wraps, pub favourites and live entertainment. It works well if the group wants to watch the game but stay on afterwards for live music and drinks.
Byzantium Gardens 10, Tomb of the Kings 10, Paphos, 94089168.
