Bar Arena Sports Bar

A family friendly sports bar serving a range of great 'pub grub’, including Dutch snacks and home made burgers, Fish & Chips on Fridays, and pizzas available all day until close. Bar Arena is considered something of a hidden gem by those in the know, but once discovered, it’s captured the hearts of both residents and visitors to Playa Blanca. Opened almost 16 years ago by Dutchman Roland Prinsen, the bar has truly established itself as a firm favourite with local residents - in particular from the British ‘ex pat’ community - but there’s actually a fantastic mix of customers from the melting pot that is Playa Blanca’s population. With a happy team that has over the years been made up of English, Dutch, Italian and Czech staff, Bar Arena really is a place where everyone is welcome, and you’re likely to hear a number of languages being spoken in any one day. From premium French gin, to English bitter on draught, there’s a libation to suit all tastes! There’s always something going on at Arena, whether its the Games Night - a Monday fixture with the regulars who fancy a flutter at the games table (without actually fluttering any money!) - to all of the major sporting events being shown on one of the bar’s several screens. In Summer, Roland has, on occasion, been known to turn his hand to his barbecuing skills on the huge terrace, which truly comes into its own at night time when lit up with its beautiful coloured lights. Just a stone’s throw from the sea front, there are definitely worse places to be sitting on a warm summer’s evening, enjoying pretty surroundings and a relaxed vibe. Then in the summer daytimes, there is the fantastic Pool Bar, offering the perfect chill out spot to escape. In 2020, the popular bar menus were given a bit of a makeover, offering an even wider choice of traditional ‘pub grub’ and more. From typical Dutch bar snacks to full on traditional British comfort food, there’s something for all, including a vegetarian take on some of the most popular dishes. There are also a number of hugely popular Specials Nights on a rotating basis every week, taking in Home Made Burgers, Tapas and Fish & Chips. Bar Arena has never swayed from its original concept of being somewhere cosy, relaxed and chilled to enjoy watching a mix of sports, whilst at the same time, not making sports the focus of the bar. Family, and doggy, friendly, it’s not a riotous sports pub, but most definitely a welcoming environment to enjoy a drink, some great food, and friendly company.