From pizza oven to a peaceful hub: How the Madeira Friends Hub came to life
Welcome to the chaos, the rumble, and the cable car views — Year 2025
Madeira Friends slogan and logo
This is the true, slightly chaotic, story of how Madeira Friends transformed an ex-pizzeria-tapas-kitchen combo into a community hub for locals, internationals, dreamers, digital nomads, misfits, and plant lovers (if you know you know, sshhh).
Once upon a greasy kitchen…
In a building most locals knew as that pizza place, Pizzaria da Atalaia, and later on as a Tapas restaurant, we found the promise of something more. Something beyond the oily tiles, mysterious wallpaper patterns, and food-scented walls. We saw potential. And a patio. Which is basically the same thing.
We wanted everything: character, peace and quiet, natural light, private offices, and cable cars overhead. Like Alice in Wonderland, this seemed like a total fantasy. And somehow… we found it.
Madeira Friends team on a viewing
That’s when the chaos began.
Portuguese engineering 101 (a crash course we did not sign up for)
Construction taught us many things:
- Builders don’t believe in clocks nor own watches.
- Weekends are optional.
- Rubble and mess is eternal.
- They believe in slow-living.
The main floor. Can you find Wally?
Marelin nearly passed out from bleach fumes (which, yes, she purposely handled). Luis ruined his favorite black sneakers with fridge grease. Matteo planted 30 fake plants like he was auditioning for The Green Planet. We were aiming for a May opening but miraculously, MIRACULOUSLY (yes, all caps), we officially opened the Madeira Friends Hub on 24th April 2025 *(Marelin still has flashbacks of those plants being arranged just two hours before everyone arrived.) *all thanks to the help of the supporters and team who were there when we needed a helping hand.
The outdoor patio
From Pizza to purpose
Out with the sticky green walls and grandma’s floral wallpaper. In with black and white minimalism, Luis’ favorite look (he owns at least five black t-shirts and equally five white t-shirts, but lets not ask questions). Now, the place smells like a fancy spa fell in love with a brand-new book.
The kitchen area which are now offices
We now have:
- Private offices
- An open-space desk zone for supporters
- A sunny patio and rooftop terrace (cable cars views are included)
- WiFi faster than your ex’s read receipts
- A coffee machine and kettle we treat like royalty
- Fancy-smelling diffusers (not your grandma’s potpourri)
- Puffy beanbags that could double as nap traps (been there, done that)
- Random snacks that appear like gifts from the gods
Dogs, poop, and distractions
Yes, we’re pet-friendly. We have welcomed a few supporter dogs, along with mystery cat poop when we were doing renovations. (The feline suspect remains at large, wanted alive and in Marelins arms) Sure, dogs distract us from replying back to your WhatsApp messages. Productivity? Overrated.
Coco is one of our friendly visitors
Knock knock… just kidding, there is no doorbell
We ditched the traditional doorbell. Now, we have a Magic Link, because we are all techy. (Thanks Martin and Victor, our techy tech guys) Tap the link, and the door magically opens. Confuses people daily. We love it.
Grand opening: chaos, coffee and a 3 hour presentation
The launch was beautiful. But first, the longest Madeira Friends presentation in history. It was a TED Talk / Netflix documentary. Three hours. Nonstop. We lost a few attendees mid-sentence. Luis was the host. We consider it a success.
Other things we got way too excited about:
- A black microwave
- A black filtered water machine
- Our first printer
- Having fans (the kind that blow air)
- When snacks randomly appear
- When the TV stand arrived
- The day we removed construction rubble just hours before a very very important conference
- Hiring a cleaner
- WIFI, tables and chairs
- Our logo and slogan on the wall
So, what even is the Madeira Friends Hub?
Not quite a coworking space. Not quite a community club. Definitely not normal.
We host:
- Community events, Portuguese classes, workshops, talks and more.
- We rent the Hub for conferences, trainings, birthday parties and more.
- Coworking days, events, networking and spontaneous karaoke and BBQ events.
Workshops and talks
How to join the fun
Access to the Madeira Friends Hub starts from just €10/month — which not only unlocks working from the Hub but also makes you an official Madeira Friends Supporter (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds).
Want your own private office? We’ve got those for rent too.
Bonus: we have merch now
Yes, Madeira Friends merchandise is finally in the wild. You can grab it at the hub and yes, you’ll want to wear it EVERYWHERE. Guess the available colours…
A home for our community
It’s genuinely heartwarming, and still surreal, to have a place where we can work, host events, drink way too much coffee, and finally meet our supporters in person. After years of group chats, cafes, and “where should we meet this week?”, we now have a place of our own.
📍 Madeira Friends Hub Old Town Funchal. With cable car views, plants, and a community that makes everything totally worth it.
**Come visit the Hub. **Email us at hello@madeirafriends.org to check it out for yourself.