In an increasingly touristy historic centre, a new spot has recently opened with the aim of being a community hub, first attracting local residents — both portuguese and foreign — and only later visitors. Welcome to Underground Sports Bar, a game bar that opened on February 14th in a space that once housed a strip club.
The ground floor is small and unassuming, with the bar and a tiny outdoor terrace. But the Underground Sports Bar truly reveals itself when you head downstairs to the basement — a spacious area filled with snooker tables, arcade machines, darts, football, and tables where you can (and should) challenge friends to a board game.
“I used to be a regular at the bars in the Cascais area, but the typical portuguese bar has disappeared. They've all turned into Irish or American Pubs, there was a gap for a Portuguese pub,” says the owner, Luís Salgado. “We want to start by winning over the Portuguese, and then move on to the tourists.”
At 42, Luís already had experience in Cascais' nightlife scene. Together with his brother Ivo, immersed in the local rock and punk music scene, they began organising concerts at the old Lotus bar, which would later become Rock N Shots, and eventually evolve into the Stairway Club.
After several years working in the music events industry with the promoter Amazing Events — responsible for projects like Vagos Metal Fest and Soundflower Fest — Luís returned to his roots with a different concept that he believes was “needed in Cascais.” “People from the nightlife here have told me that this kind of bar was missing.”
Every Sunday at 9.00 PM, they host quiz nights. Soon, they’ll be launching snooker tournaments and karaoke nights, and you can also catch sports games on the TV.
The menu isn’t the main focus at Underground Sports Bar, but they do offer a variety of snacks and appetizers, such as a cheese platter (€9.50), Iberian cured meats platter (€16.90), a mixed platter (€28.90), roasted chorizo (€8.90), calamari with fries (€11.90), or battered hake fillets with fries (€12.90), just to name a few.
They also offer burgers, toasts, hot dogs, pizzas, crispy chicken wings, and salads. And, of course, the usual selection of drinks you'd expect from any self-respecting bar.
Travessa Afonso Sanches, 12, Cascais. Mon-Sun 15:00–02:00