Top Sports Bars in Matera to Watch the Match With the Crowd

Where to Catch the Game in the City of Stones

If you are looking for the top sports bars in Matera, you might be surprised by what you find. This ancient Sassi city, carved into limestone ravines in the deep south of Italy, is not exactly the first place that comes to mind for a rowdy game day atmosphere. But Matera has a quiet but passionate sports culture, and the locals here take their calcio, Formula 1, and international tournaments seriously. I have spent more evenings than I can count wandering between the Sassi districts and the modern center, chasing the glow of big screens and the roar of a crowd. What follows is my honest, ground-level guide to the best bars to watch sports Matera has to offer, written from someone who has sat in every one of these spots with a beer in hand and a match on the screen.

The Sassi and the Screen: How Sports Viewing Fits Into Matera's Character

Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its cave dwellings and ancient churches. The idea of a big-screen TV bolted to a stone wall inside a 9th-century cave might sound jarring, but it works here. The city has always been a place where old and new coexist in strange harmony. You will find a Serie A match playing in a bar that was once a water cistern, or a Six Nations rugby game watched by a crowd sitting on chairs that look out over the Gravina ravine. Sports viewing Matera style is not about luxury VIP sections or 40-foot LED walls. It is about community, about gathering in a place that feels like it has been here forever and watching something that makes everyone forget the centuries for 90 minutes.

The best game day bars Matera offers tend to cluster in three zones: the upper modern center (around Via San Biagio and Via del Corso), the edge of the Sasso Barisano district, and the area near Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Each zone has a different feel, and I will walk you through them one by one.

1. Bar La Torre on Via dei Fiorentini

Tucked along Via dei Fiorentini, just at the border where the modern city starts to slope down toward the Sassi, Bar La Torre is one of those places that locals have been going to for years without much tourist interference. The owner, a man named Domenico, has had a mounted screen in the back corner for as long as I can remember. When there is a big Juventus or Napoli match, the place fills up fast. The espresso here is strong and cheap, about 1 euro for a standing shot at the bar, and the panini are made to order with local Altamura bread and fresh mozzarella di bufala. I was there last Tuesday for a midweek Serie A fixture, and the energy was exactly what you want, a mix of older men arguing about tactics and younger guys checking their phones for live stats.

Local Insider Tip: "Sit at the small table near the back wall, not at the bar. The screen is mounted at an angle that makes the bar seats uncomfortable after 20 minutes. Also, if you order a Spritz before the match starts, Domenico will usually bring you a small plate of bruschetta on the house."

The one complaint I have is that the single-screen setup means you are at the mercy of whatever match Domenico decides to show. If there are two games on at once, you might be out of luck. But for the main event of the week, this is one of the most authentic spots in the city.

2. Caffè Tripoli on Piazza Vittorio Veneto

Piazza Vittorio Veneto is the beating heart of modern Matera, and Caffè Tripoli has been its most prominent café for decades. This is not a sports bar in the traditional sense, but on match days, especially for the Italian national team or Champions League nights, the outdoor tables become an open-air viewing party. They set up a large portable screen near the fountain, and the whole piazza transforms. I watched Italy's Euro 2020 semifinal here, and the atmosphere was electric, hundreds of people packed into the square, singing, hugging, and spilling Birra Moretti on the cobblestones. The café itself serves a solid aperitivo spread from around 6 PM, with olives, chips, and small sandwiches included in the price of a drink.

Local Insider Tip: "Get to the piazza at least 45 minutes before kickoff if you want a table. The spots closest to the screen go first, and by the time the teams are lining up, you will be standing in the back with a blocked view. Also, the bathroom inside the café is for customers only, so buy at least one drink early."

The downside is that this is an outdoor setup, so weather is a factor. On cold winter nights, the wind coming off the ravine can cut right through you. Bring a jacket even if the day was warm.

3. Il Forno delle Arti on Via Casalnuovo

This one is technically a bakery and café that doubles as a casual sports viewing spot on weekends. Located on Via Casalnuovo in the Sasso Barisano district, Il Forno delle Arti is known for its wood-fired bread and focaccia, but the owner, a woman named Graziella, is a huge Inter Milan fan. On Sunday afternoons when Inter plays, she puts on the match in the small seating area near the counter. It is intimate, maybe 15 people max, and the smell of fresh bread mixes with the sound of the commentator. I dropped in last month for an early-season match and ended up staying for two hours, eating a slice of pizza bianca with mortadella and drinking a small draft Peroni.

Local Insider Tip: "Graziella only puts on Inter matches, so check their schedule before you go. If you are a fan of another team, she will not change the channel, but she will let you sit and watch quietly if you buy food. The focaccia with cherry tomatoes and oregano, made in the wood oven at the back, is the best thing on the menu and costs about 3 euros."

The space is tiny, and if you are claustrophobic, this is not the place for you. There is also no dedicated parking nearby, so you will be walking down steep stone stairs to get here. Wear good shoes.

4. Pub 54 on Via San Biagio

Via San Biagio is one of the main commercial streets in the modern center, and Pub 54 is the closest thing Matera has to a dedicated sports bar. Multiple screens, a decent beer selection that includes some Italian craft options, and a menu of burgers and fries that goes well beyond the usual bar snack. I have been coming here for Champions League nights for the past three seasons, and the crowd is a good mix of locals and expats. The sound system is set up so you can hear the commentary from any seat, which is not something every bar in Matera gets right. Last week I had their burger with gorgonzola and walnuts, about 9 euros, and a glass of Primitivo wine. The staff are friendly and will happily switch one of the screens to a different match if you ask politely.

Local Insider Tip: "The corner booth near the window is the best seat in the house. It has a direct view of two screens at once, and you can see the street outside during halftime. Ask for it by name when you walk in, and if it is taken, wait 10 minutes, it usually frees up quickly."

The complaint here is that it gets loud. Really loud. If you are trying to have a conversation during a match, forget it. The acoustics are not great, and the stone walls amplify everything. But if you are there for the atmosphere, that noise is part of the experience.

5. Bar Enoteca Sasso in Sasso Caveoso

Down in the Sasso Caveoso district, along the winding streets that descend toward the Gravina, you will find Bar Enoteca Sasso. This is a wine bar first and foremost, with an excellent selection of Basilicata and Puglian wines, but the owner has a small TV behind the bar that is usually tuned to the day's match. It is not a big-screen experience, but there is something special about watching a game in a candlelit cave room while sipping a glass of Aglianico del Vulture. I was here for a World Cup qualifier last autumn, and the handful of us watching felt like we were in a private club. The bruschetta with lardo di Colonnata and the board of local cheeses, about 8 euros, are perfect for a slow evening of sports viewing.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask the owner to open the bottle of Aglianico from the producer in Venosa. It is not always on the printed list, but he keeps a few bottles behind the bar for regulars. Also, the stone seats near the entrance are cooler in summer, which matters because the cave interior can get stuffy with a crowd."

The small screen is a genuine limitation if you are used to watching on a big display. If you need to see every detail of the play, this is not your spot. But for a relaxed, atmospheric experience, it is unmatched.

6. Caffè Schiuma on Via del Corso

Via del Corso is the main pedestrian artery of Matera's modern center, and Caffè Schiuma sits right in the middle of it. This is a classic Italian café with marble counters, mirrored walls, and a clientele that skews older. But on big match days, especially for the Coppa Italia finals or World Cup matches, they roll out a screen in the back room and the place takes on a different character. I watched the 2022 World Cup final here, and the tension in that room was something I will never forget. The espresso is excellent, about 1.20 euros at the bar, and the pasticciotto, a cream-filled pastry from Puglia, is the perfect match-day snack. The crowd here is mostly older men who have been coming to this café for decades, and their commentary on the game is often more entertaining than the actual broadcast.

Local Insider Tip: "The back room only opens for major matches, so do not expect it to be available for a regular league game. Also, the pasticciotto sells out fast on busy days, so order one with your first coffee if you want to guarantee getting one."

The Wi-Fi is unreliable, and the seating in the back room is basic, folding chairs around a small table. But the atmosphere during a big match makes up for the lack of comfort.

7. Al Becco della Civetta on Via Casalnuovo

Also on Via Casalnuovo, but further down toward the edge of the ravine, Al Becco della Civetta is a restaurant and wine bar that occasionally hosts sports viewing events. They do not have a permanent screen set up, but for major tournaments, they install a projector and pull down a white wall to create a makeshift cinema. I attended one of their Euro 2020 viewing nights, and it was one of the best sports viewing experiences I have had in Matera. The food is a step above the usual bar fare, think handmade orecchiette with rapa toscana and local sausage, and the wine list focuses on small producers from the Vulture region. The setting, inside a restored cave dwelling with views over the Gravine, is hard to beat.

Local Insider Tip: "Follow their social media pages to find out when they are setting up the projector. They do not advertise these events widely, and the space only holds about 30 people, so it fills up within hours of the announcement. The Aglianico riserva they serve on these nights is from a producer near Rionero in Vulture and costs about 5 euros a glass."

The projector setup means the image quality is not as sharp as a proper TV screen, especially if you are sitting at the back. Arrive early for a front-row seat, and be prepared for the cave to get warm with 30 bodies packed inside.

8. Area near Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi and the adjacent bars

The small piazza in front of the Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi, on the western edge of the modern center, has a cluster of bars and cafés that collectively serve as a game day hub. There is no single venue I can point to, but the area as a whole comes alive during major sporting events. The bars here, including a few small enotecas and casual cafés, often coordinate to show the same match on their respective screens, creating a kind of open-air sports district. I spent an entire Saturday afternoon here during the 2023 Six Nations, hopping between three different spots, each showing a different match. The vibe is relaxed, the drinks are affordable, and the crowd is a mix of students from the local university and older residents.

Local Insider Tip: "The bar on the left side of the piazza as you face the church has the best beer selection, including a rotating craft tap. The one on the right has better food. If you are planning to spend the whole afternoon, start on the right for lunch and migrate left as the drinks start flowing."

The area can get crowded to the point of discomfort on major match days, and the narrow streets make it difficult to move between venues quickly. Also, public restrooms are scarce in this part of town, so plan ahead.

When to Go and What to Know About Game Day in Matera

The best time to experience sports viewing Matera style is during the European football season, which runs from late August through May. Serie A matches are typically on Sundays at 3 PM or 6 PM, with midweek fixtures on Wednesdays. Champions League and Europa League nights, usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 PM, draw the biggest crowds at the dedicated sports bars. The Italian national team plays only a handful of times per year, but those are the nights when the whole city comes alive, especially at Caffè Tripoli and the piazza areas.

Matera is a walking city. There is no metro, no tram, and the bus system is limited. Most of the venues I have described are within a 15-minute walk of each other, but the Sassi districts involve steep stairs and uneven stone paths. Wear comfortable shoes, and do not attempt the descent into Sasso Caveoso in flip-flops after a few beers. Taxis exist but are not always easy to find on match nights, so plan your route home in advance.

Cash is still king at many of the smaller bars, especially in the Sassi. Bring at least 20 to 30 euros in cash for an evening out. Card acceptance has improved in recent years, but do not count on it at places like Il Forno delle Arti or Bar Enoteca Sasso.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Matera?

A standard espresso at the bar costs between 1.00 and 1.30 euros at most cafés in Matera. A cappuccino or latte runs about 1.50 to 2.00 euros. Specialty coffee, such as single-origin pour-over or cold brew, is rare and typically costs 3.00 to 4.00 euros where available. Local herbal teas, often made with herbs from the Murgia plateau, are around 2.50 to 3.50 euros.

Are credit cards widely accepted across Matera, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Card acceptance is common in the modern center, particularly at restaurants, larger cafés, and shops on Via del Corso and Via San Biagio. However, many smaller bars, bakeries, and vendors in the Sassi districts still operate on a cash-only basis. Carrying at least 20 to 30 euros in cash per day is advisable, especially for small purchases, tips, and visits to older establishments.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Matera?

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy, as most restaurants include a "coperto" (cover charge) of 1.50 to 3.00 euros per person. At casual bars and cafés, rounding up the bill or leaving 0.50 to 1.00 euro is common and appreciated. At sit-down restaurants, leaving 5 to 10 percent for good service is a generous but not expected gesture. Service charge, or "servizio," is occasionally included on the menu, and when it is, no additional tip is necessary.

What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Matera as a solo traveler?

Walking is the primary and most practical way to get around Matera. The historic center, including both Sassi districts, is largely pedestrianized, and most key locations are within a 10 to 20 minute walk of each other. The local bus service, operated by Sita Sud, connects the train station and outlying areas to the center, but routes are limited. Taxis are available but must be booked by phone or at designated stands. Rideshare apps have limited coverage in Matera.

Is Matera expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

Matera is moderately priced compared to northern Italian cities. A mid-tier traveler can expect to spend approximately 80 to 120 euros per day, including accommodation (50 to 70 euros for a double room in a mid-range guesthouse or B&B), meals (25 to 35 euros for lunch and dinner at casual trattorie), drinks and snacks (8 to 12 euros), and local transport or entry fees (5 to 10 euros). Major attractions, such as cave churches and the Murgia National Park, charge entry fees of 3 to 7 euros per site.