With all of its twists, heartbreaks, and drama, the new season of Love Island USA has Tucsonans enthralled. 

Over the last few weeks, the reality TV dating show seems to be all anyone can talk about, and the viral popularity of this season has sparked many local bars and restaurants to organize their own watch parties for fans.

Among the venues hosting watch party events are Playground Bar & Lounge, Highwire, Chela’s Latin Cuisine, The Neighborhood, and Corbett’s.

People gather to watch the newest episode of Love Island USA at Playground.

Corbett’s usually focuses more on sports, but Stephanie Shirley, the restaurant's marketing director, said it started hosting weekly Love Island watch parties after overwhelming demand. 

“I was starting to get a lot of requests from either friends, or people in Corbett’s DMs” she said. “So I was like, â€okay let’s do it.’”

The watch parties have been an instant hit, Shirley said, with dozens of fans showing up to socialize and experience the show with one another. 

“It’s been really popular,” she said. “It’s just been a really great experience. I had no idea that there would be so many people that want to show up for this.”

This season of Love Island also has a local connection to the city, as Tucson is the hometown of contestant Hannah Fields. 

After returning from her stint on the show, Fields has been on a quest to find the best matcha in Tucson, and has highlighted several local Tucson businesses on her social media, including Chez Peachy, Brucha, and Ding Tea. 

She even attended one of the watch parties at Corbett’s to mingle with fans.

Fans gather to watch the newest episode of Love Island USA at Corbett's weekly watch party.

“She actually reached out to us,” Shirley said. “She said that she really enjoyed Corbett’s, that she thinks it’s pretty cool, so she called us and was asking if we were still doing the watch parties and if she could join.”

According to Shirley, it was Fields’ kind disposition that really shone through.

“She was really sweet,”  Shirley said. “She just wanted to support Tucson which I thought was great, and she wanted to just say hi to anyone who wanted to say hi to her.”

While Corbett’s has hosted many movie nights, and game day watch parties, Shirley said that the fanfare around the reality TV competition has opened the door to new kinds of events in the future.  

“We have such a huge screen out in the beer garden, and sometimes we’ll do movies and stuff, so it kinda makes sense to just have more fun with these kinds of events,” Shirley said.

The long-awaited season finale will hit streaming on Sunday, July 13, and dedicated viewers can look forward to a host of spectacular watch parties right here in Tucson!

To celebrate the finale, Corbett’s is going all out with a special pre-party starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, with the finale showing at 6 p.m.

At the party, you’ll find a photo booth to capture memories with your friends, crafts by Camilla on Canvas, permanent jewelry from Lala Links, and of course delightful themed cocktails for you to enjoy!

Visit the for more information.

Besides Corbetts, there are several other places in town where you can join a Love Island watch party to experience the finale, and maybe make some new friends.

Fans of Love Island Gather for a weekly watch party at Playground.

Playground Bar & Lounge:

Sip on island themed drinks at Playground’s finale watch party, Sunday at 6 p.m. Make sure to be there to see what is sure to be an electrifying end to the season!

Visit the  for more information.

Chela’s Latin Cuisine:

Chela’s is celebrating the end of the season with a Love Island finale watch party, 5-7 p.m. Come for the $5 Wells and White Claws or specials on Island-inspired drinks; stay for the fun and drama!

Visit the  for more information.

HighWire Tucson:

Take in the good vibes fellow Love Island fans at HighWire’s finale watch party, this Sunday at 5 p.m.! Festivities kick off with drink specials, followed by raffle giveaways, and the finale showing at 6 p.m.

Visit thefor more information.

The Neighborhood:

Join the fun at the Neighborhood’s finale watch party on Sunday July 13 at 6 p.m. featuring tropical, flirty, and “all-around delicious” themed drinks, and “bombshell” hosts!

Visit the for more information.


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