One of the most joyful things about travelling for sports is drinking with the locals. It could be sharing a pre-match drink, or watching your team on the television with other sports fans.
In this guide, we’ll look at where fans meet on match day and how to ensure you get to watch your team on TV in one of the city’s great sports bars.
Make sure you also check out our guide to how to get tickets for a Napoli game and to visit the best football graffiti in this amazing city.
If you’re visiting a Napoli game I recommend arriving at the stadium early to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. If you’re in either Curva, the stands behind the goals, you’d best get in the stadium early too as grabbing a seat is a free-for-all, despite what it says on your ticket. Embrace the chaos.
Outside the ground on match day there are loads of refreshment stands selling food and drink. The locals gather outside the stadium, grab a panini or slice of pizza and a drink and discuss the match. You also see locals drinking shorts of Borghetti, an Espresso Liqueur, loved by football fans all over Italy.
The drinking culture in Italy is different to many countries. Bars tend to be a mixture of cafes, bakeries and sometimes local shops. That means that there aren’t many pubs near the stadium. Around the stadium there are a few little cafes where the local fans meet, drink an espresso together, have an ice cream and get ready for the game.
Via Giambattista Marino, 15/C, 80125
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to grab a drink and a snack before a Napoli game, head to the Caffetteria Degli Azzurri. Located just across from the stadium, this lively bar is a favourite gathering place for local fans, who often arrive on scooters to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Inside, the walls are adorned with an impressive collection of jerseys featuring legends like Kaká, Inzaghi, Ibrahimović, Raúl, and, of course, Maradona. You’ll also find newspaper clippings that celebrate the club’s rich history. In true Naples fashion, the bar is filled with tributes to Maradona, including images all around, a table dedicated to Diego, and even a Diego-themed scooter!
via Tansillo 52
Another popular meeting point, Bar Azzurro is decked out in Napoli and Diego Maradona iconography, including a poignant photo of Maradona bidding farewell. This bar offers a quintessential Neapolitan experience, capturing the passion and spirit of the city’s football culture.
Caffetteria Monnalisa offers a unique vibe that sets it apart from the more football-focused bars around the stadium. While it might not be packed with memorabilia like some of the spots closer to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, it’s a fantastic place to enjoy a pre-game or post-game coffee, snack, or drink in a relaxed, local atmosphere. The café is a favourite among locals, so you’ll be in good company with passionate Neapolitans who love to chat about football—especially if you bring up Napoli. Don’t miss the back bar, which is covered in Kodak snapshots of the barman with various football stars like Lippi, Cannavaro, and Nedved.
This superb pub opens at 19:00, making it ideal for evening kickoffs. Just a 10-minute walk from the stadium, Paddy’s Bar is a lively spot for football fans. With its Irish pub atmosphere, multiple screens for live matches, and an array of football memorabilia, it offers a great setting to enjoy the game. The bar attracts a diverse crowd of locals and visitors, fostering a vibrant community feel. Known for its friendly staff and hearty pub fare, Paddy’s Bar is an excellent choice for fans wanting to soak up the pre- or post-match excitement.
Vomero, the hilltop neighbourhood overlooking Naples, offers a unique pub culture that blends British and Neapolitan influences. It’s an excellent area to catch a football game, with a range of pubs and bars that cater to diverse tastes. From trendy and upscale venues to cosy, traditional spots serving local beers and hearty snacks, Vomero has something for everyone. Many bars feature live music or DJ sets, and some provide stunning views of the city. For the best experience, especially during busy game nights, it’s wise to book a table in advance.
Via San Biagio dei Librai, 129
A visit here is a must for every football fan.
This little bar near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore has a shrine to Diego Maradona. The centrepiece is a lock of hair from Maradona. Yes, you read that right! Last time I was there I asked the owner where the hair came from and he told me he sat behind Maradona on a flight from Milan in 1987. When he was leaving the plane he noticed the hair on the back of the chair Maradona had sat in and took the hair with him. As you do!
Loop is not just about food and drink—it’s a sports lover’s haven too, with the “CURVA LOOP” offering an ideal spot to watch your favourite sports teams. The website of the pub states, “for us, football, just like beer and cooking, is a serious thing”. I think that’s a great attitude!
Loop, established in 2018, is a standout destination in Naples for beer and burger enthusiasts. As the city’s first Beer&Burger Room, it offers a unique experience where craft beer and gourmet burgers intersect, including innovative “Beer-Burgers” made with their own Loop beer. Guests can choose from seven beers on tap or explore a selection of 150 bottled options.
Frank Malone Pub is a favourite among Napoli fans. This Irish-style pub offers a wide range of beers on tap, including popular international brands and a huge selection of Italian craft beers. The atmosphere is always electric, especially on match days, with large TV screens broadcasting pre-match analysis and live games.
Largo Ecce Homo, 3, 80134
The website says the bar is a place where rock stars could rub elbows with fishermen enjoying a cold beer and finger food while listening to the music they love. Sounds good to me!
The pub offers a range of great German beers and Italian craft beers. They show all Napoli games on the big screen and are sure to show any other games that are on. There’s a big beer garden with tv screens. The staff speak Italian, English, German and Spanish. It’s a great place to watch Napoli match.
Via Mattia Preti, 10
As the names suggest, both Biergarten and Bierkeller offer a German-inspired ambience with a diverse beer selection and hearty food options, making them popular spots for watching football matches and socialising, whether inside or out. Fans can enjoy games on the screens in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The beer selection is extensive, featuring not just German brews but also notable Belgian options, including the infamous Samichlaus Classic 14, one of the strongest beers in the world.
Via Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 17, 80127
This historic Irish pub in Vomero is highly praised for its delicious panini, excellent selection of draft beers, and welcoming atmosphere. The pub’s vibrant ambience, combined with attentive and friendly service, makes it a popular choice for both casual dining and enjoying a night out with friends.
Via Enrico Alvino, 134 B, 80129
This is a British-style pub in the centre of Naples. The pub has a range of English, German and Italian beers and serves great burgers. They have three tv screens and football always seems to be on! The pub has represented a corner of London in Naples since 2000!
Via Guido Menzinger, 9/11, 80128
Located since 1998 in the immediate vicinity of the central Piazza Medaglie D’Oro, the Sinclair Scottish Pub is one of the best-known and most historic pubs in the Vomero district of Naples. It’s known for its friendly atmosphere, wide selection of beers, and decent food. Most importantly, for the sports traveller, it is a great spot for watching sports.
A historic gem where tradition meets innovation, Pizzeria Da Michele has been serving exceptional Margherita and Marinara pizzas for over 150 years. Known for its deep passion for simplicity and tradition, the pizzeria offers only two pizzas on its menu, focusing on top-notch Campanian ingredients to ensure unparalleled quality. Due to its fame, there’s usually a queue, but the experience of enjoying world-class pizza in this iconic setting is well worth the wait. Julia Roberts is a fan, and so am I.
Naples is a city pulsating with football passion, where the sport is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. From lively cafes and bustling bars to vibrant local spots, football is always in the air, with matches and highlights playing out on screens across the city. By immersing yourself in the local cafe/bar scene, you not only enhance your match-day experience but also connect with the vibrant culture that defines Naples as a one-of-a-kind football destination. There are very nice and easy tips on getting to Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. So, wear blue and salute to the spirit of Naples – Forza Napoli, sempre!
