Poncha do Pescador

On Rua de Santa Maria, where painted doors and bars turn Funchal’s Old Town into a walk that stretches into the evening, Poncha do Pescador offers a small, specialist stop. Its name points to the drink most closely associated with the bar: poncha à pescador, a Madeiran blend of sugarcane spirit, citrus and honey, served freshly mixed. Madeira’s tourism board explains that the fishermen’s version originated in Câmara de Lobos and now sits alongside passion fruit, tangerine and other flavours.

The venue is at number 188, near several restaurants and a short distance from the waterfront. Visitors’ comments often mention the friendly welcome, relaxed feel and flavoured ponchas; one practical note also appears: the space is small and there is no large terrace. This is not a dining room for a long meal but a drinks stop, where it is worth asking which blend is being made that day and remembering that poncha contains aguardente.

Published hours differ between directories and suggest more limited opening towards the end of the week, so call +351 967 218 257 before changing your itinerary. The online rating reflects a much smaller number of reviews than those of the island’s best-known bars, making it useful to read the individual comments about service and the size of the venue as well. For a drink in a recreated historic setting, Venda Velha is on the same street at number 170, allowing you to compare two ways of serving poncha without leaving the neighbourhood.