We arrive before 5.30pm, when the bar and terrace, with a privileged view of the river, open to the public, so we can chat quietly with the chairman of the board, Joaquim Gonçalves, and the treasurer, Arménia Guimarães, who is also the cook on duty. We find her frying steaks and rissoles. "It's not just about drinking," she says cheerfully.

Born in Cabeceiras de Basto, Joaquim, an electrician by profession, has been president of the ranch since 2020, but it was in 1993 that he became a member "by force", so that he could enjoy the socialising space. He got married and moved there, where he frequented this cultural and recreational association, once based in Rua das Taipas. It was there that he met up with friends and neighbours for games of Swedish and table football, among other things. But as he wasn't a member, the maximum time he was allowed to stay was just 15 minutes. After that time, he would be "thrown out" and would only enter again with a new authorisation.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Youth in action

In times gone by, Rancho do Douro Litoral had around 400 members. Today there are 140, but almost all of them are young. "At 65, I'm the oldest member," says Joaquim. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the space was closed for two years. This time has changed the parish: if it used to be a place for neighbours from the area and "older" people to hang out, today it has become a meeting point for many young people who, despite not being locals, have been making the space more dynamic, much to the delight of Joaquim and Armenia.

"Now it's more youth. And they come and dance at rehearsals. I thought they wouldn't like it because it's folklore, but they don't; they join in very well!" says Armenia. Most of them are students. Eight of the new members have decided to rotate among themselves, with two of them being responsible for opening the bar and terrace every day, which are the association's sources of income.

"It's like a family here, and anyone who misbehaves goes outside, but we have nothing to complain about," says Joaquim, who is pleased to have someone to pass the baton on to. "I call them to help with the service and to get them used to it," he says.

Although the main activity is folklore, snooker, table football, Swedish and ping pong tournaments are also organised in the games room. "We have to keep the folklore going, but we're open to dynamising this space with other activities," says the treasurer.

In addition to the games tables, we noticed a small stage. Armenia says that in the past they used to do theatre with a group from Miragaia, but now they just use it for karaoke in the afternoons. "We invented some musicians, Clemente, Marco Paulo, so we could have a bit of a laugh."

Although it's still unknown to the majority of Porto residents, it has been gaining foreign customers living in the city. "A lot of Erasmus students come here who heard about the ranch through word of mouth. Those who come here for the first time get all excited about the views from the terrace, which are very beautiful," says Armenia.