The Black Stove - Live (ly) still?

[rod...]

Just my tuppence worth. We got back on the 3rd form another great holiday in Carvoeiro, this time with our son and 8 and 9 year old grandsons, who both had a whale of a time. We stopped off at the Black Stove a couple of times on the way up the hill during the afternoon for a refreshment to cool us down. We also stopped in on our last evening with the boys, where they happily played pool for an hour or two. This was mid-evening and the place had a few folks in, but was just getting busier when we left around 10. I guess it probably appeals more to singles / couples, rather than families, but that's no bad thing, given the number of bars in town.

The staff were very welcoming and it is certainly a nice bar. The only drawback I could see (apart from troublesome crowds later in the evening, apparently) was that the spirits served were at best UK measures. I don't remember getting such small measures (for the same prices) at any of the other bars I normally frequent.

Regarding music. I see many bars complete with having regular live music to boost sales. I'm the opposite. At best, I would only want to see a live act playing for an hour or so once in a holiday, rather than having to shout to make yourself heard for a couple of hours. I guess that's just me. I prefer conversation to music whilst on holiday. I did notice though that Jo (Accordeo) had a singer / guitarist in once a week (Johnny?) who was pretty good. I like just sitting chatting or watching the world go by.

[Michael Crane]

... I like just sitting chatting or watching the world go by.

Me too. I much prefer a bar where I can sit and talk to friends or read a book or magazine. I might go into a bar with live music if it was music I liked (blues would be great!) but I would rather cut off a limb than go (knowingly) into a karaoke bar!

[ditzy]

rod, you might be talking about Johnny White who often plays in Monte Carvoeiro square, he's quite good and a nice guy too

[fmm]

rod, you might be talking about Johnny White who often plays in Monte Carvoeiro square, he's quite good and a nice guy too

He is a really talented bloke - plays twice a week at Acordeo, once at Monte Cvo and once at the Tivoli.

[rod...]

^^^ That's the bloke. I thought he had a particularly good voice and some of his arrangements of the covers were quite original.

Mind you, in general, I'm with Michael. When on holiday, most live music washes past me (unless it's traditional Portuguese), as my taste in music is not really represented anywhere. That said, there is some real talent out there, just that I've not come across much of it.

[fmm]

Johnny is actually coming to the UK next week to play at a wedding - someone heard him in Cvo and loved his music so much they are paying for him to fly over!

[Bristle Si]

Got back last night after 11 fab days in CVO.

Went past this pub a few times and it was dead - the only time we saw it was busy was on our 1st night (Sat 4 Sept) when a load of bikers congregated there for an event

[Lincoln Imp]

We have just returned from 9 days in CVO and had one or two in the Stove most nights, it was quite every night. I understand the difficulties of the positioning of the bar with it being at the top of the hill with people using it as a quick drink on the way down to town and by the time people are coming back up the hill they are either stuffed from their meal or have had enough to drink in the town and just want to get their head down.

On a plus point the service is always quick and polite and the place is clean and tidy.

They no longer seem to do food/snacks which they did last year and the roof terrace never seems to get used. Personally I would use the roof as a restaurant.

[Matryx]

You still can't beat Brady's, great bar and good music 3 or 4 nights a week