Hi All we are new to the board and would like to know the truth about Monte Carvoeiro.
Reason being we have been looking to buy a cafe/bar in the Algarve and have a heard mixed reports about Monte Carvoeiro, there are two places we have heard about here for sale one being Pausa the other the Slam bar.
Have read on this very forum that the Slam bar has had numerous owners over the last few years is this simply there is not enough trade to survive or for other reasons. We heard this area 10yrs ago was the only place to go now it appears to have an even shorter summer season than down the hill.
If anyone knows of similar establishments for sale in the immediate area of Carvoeira we would be pleased to hear about them, one estate agent suggested that most commercial properties get sold through word of mouth rather than being handed over to estate agents. We did look at Talvez bar but due to there being no possibility to even serve light snacks we have scrapped that off the list.
We will be returning to the Algarve in a couple of weeks to continue our search.
Any help advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi,

We stay at Monte Carvoeiro every time we come to CVO - mainly because it is a bit quiet. We got to know Jassie quite well (who owned the Slam bar) and he was enthusiastic and keen to make a go of it. However, it appears he failed because it was shut when we were there last year. The restaurants are always busy in the square and the Slam bar was as well. I think the real problem with it is the fact that the restaurants don't open at lunch-time so even though he was open, no-one ever went there until evening time.

If you want to make a go of it, you'll need to come up with a spark to get it going.

Good luck

HR

I actually chose NOT to move to Monte Carvoeiro. Very quiet, nice places, but not all that interesting. (I know Ill be shouted down for that)

I find the restaurants around the square to be characterless,over priced and to be common, "A bit up their own arses"....and I live in the Surrey Stockbroker belt!

If I was buying into a business up there, I would be cautious.
The reality is that it is a relatively short season in a business sense, and down in the main village is going to attract a far higher level of business. Especially in the sense of summer passing trade.
The village is more expensive to buy into, but pro-rata the return and profit.

Whatever you decide....good luck. We have a lot of mediocre restuarants and bars, so in order to succeed you will need to offer that something better and different.

We only come out to CVO in Spring and Autumn/Winter. We have stayed in various places around the Monte Carvoeiro area but have always gone into town for our evening drink/meal. The simple reason being that the Monte Carvoeiro square is too quiet, lack lustre and lacking in any atmosphere. Quite simply there are no people about.
However, I have heard that things are different in the Summer season.

On our walk down to town we always stop off at Monte Carvoeiro and have experienced it through every season for many years.
Apart from the cocktail bar, which is a great for pre-dinner drinks (and after dinner drinks) the rest of the square is given to restaurants. Some quite good, others average. Years ago in the height of summer it was buzzing every evening and there was always entertainment, mainly for the children. Its a great place to have a drink and eat if you have little ones as they never seem to tire of running round and round the fountain.
Out of season its very quiet and has been in summer for a few years.
2007 saw the reinstatement of entertainment, usually a small band or keyboard player and last summer it was very busy most evenings.

But wether to take the chance and buy a bar there?, I would say be very certain you have something different that could fill a gap, and be prepared to be quite for six months of the year.

Thanks everyone for their constructive comments they have been very helpful indeed as this will be our first venture in Portugal I think the search continues elsewhere but if anyone does hear of something down in the town centre please drop us a PM

Thanks Again

The Roundup is still for sale and am sure Will said there is a big Kitchen at the back and it full all the time.

I know the Jailhouse is for sale call 00351282356235

Carvoeiro is a great place ive been going for years

we have a timeshare on monte carvoeiro overlooking the square its a lovely place but we always go into the village to eat and drink

Yes agree that definately quieter up there in terms of holiday business, but quite a few holiday home owners/ex pats live 'up the hill' and do not neccesarily always want go into town.

Spent many a long afternoon/evening in the Slam bar and in my opinon best place in town to watch football and shame it closed down (so Cocktail bar is next best). Admitedly could have been more exciting/different on the food side (there is definately a gap in the usual CV lunchtime fare), but think its got potential, and would have considered it myself if could persuade the wife to move out permanently!

@ MacksPhoto: I have sent you a message, but have not heard from you yet. Did you receive my message?

If not please contact me by pm or by e-mail.

Thanks Rob have sent you a PM

Been going for years, the cocktail garden is excellent, Luis is a great host, kids love the tricks, puzzles and juggling! Great entertainment. Pity that Marcos gave up Stone Steak, the flambee's were an art form and it was a great fillet steak. What is it like now? i haven't had the bottle to go back since he gave up.

Hi ´"Mack´s Photo",
did you get my message? Contact me if you´re interested. M.