When is the 'Love Island USA' finale? Watch parties in Austin

As temperatures rise in Austin, so does the drama for fans of reality television's hottest guilty pleasure: “Love Island USA.” The highly anticipated Season 7 finale is just around the corner, and Austin's most dedicated viewers are gearing up to witness the culmination of weeks of couplings, dumpings and bombshell entrances.

From downtown bars to south Austin hangouts, establishments across the city are hosting watch parties, offering a space for fans to cheer, gasp and maybe even shed a tear as the final couples vie for love and a hefty cash prize.

What is 'Love Island' anyway?

For the uninitiated, “Love Island USA” is the American spin-off of the wildly popular British reality dating series that airs on the streaming service Peacock. It gathers a group of single "Islanders" in a luxurious villa, typically in a tropical locale like Fiji, with the purpose of finding love.

The catch? To stay in the villa and compete for the $100,000 prize, Islanders must "couple up" with one another. Throughout the season, new contestants, known as "bombshells," arrive to shake things up, testing existing relationships and sparking new connections.

Viewers get to vote to keep their favorite couples and eliminate others.

When is the season seven finale? Watch parties in Austin

The stakes are higher than ever as season 7 speeds toward its dramatic conclusion. Mark your calendars, Austin: the final episode is officially set to air this Sunday. Here are some spots hosting watch parties now through the finale.

• Buford's. Watch parties on Thursday and Sunday at 8 p.m. 700 W. Sixth St. bufordsaustin.com. (512) 545-5505.
• Chupitos. Watch parties on Thursday, Friday and Sunday with $3 shots, $6 “Huda Hurricane,” two-for-one margaritas, and deals on tacos. 311 E. Sixth Street. instagram.com/chupitos6thstreet.
• Dogwood Domain- watch parties on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the media room at the Dogwood Domain. 11420 Rock Rose Ave. #130. thedogwoodrockrose.com. (512) 330-4554.
• Gabrielas South Austin - watch parties on Sunday at 8 p.m. 9600 S. I-35 Frontage Rd. Ste. B-500. menu.barpay.com/digital-menu. (512) 394-7979.
• Little Woodrow’s Southpark - watch parties on Thursday at 8 p.m. They are serving two themed cocktails, the “Hurricane Huda” and “I’ve Got a Text Tini.” 9500 S. I-35 Frontage Rd. 100. littlewoodrows.com. (512) 282-2336.
• WTF Sporting Club - watch parties every Thursday with $6 frozen drinks, $6 mai tais and $6 pina coladas. 1501 E. Seventh St. wtfsportingclub.com. (512) 200-4954.