Welcome!

The main goal of this site is to give tourists and visitors an inside scoop about cool places to go and things to see in Rio de Janeiro, aside the mainstream places and ordinary stuff. So don´t expect to see any information about Sugar Loaf, Corcovado and so on…for those typical tourist spots, I´m sure there are hundreds of sites out there about it.

In my view, people between the age of 25 and 45 are gonna enjoy these tips better. Or anyone looking for great party/cultural programs.

As everyone knows, Brazil, and specially Rio, had it's prices gone up the roof for just about everything. So, another objective in this portal is to let you know about great inexpensive options, and tons of local tips.

I´ve organized the suggestions into categories, focused on the king of event you might be looking for:

- Samba Events and Parties

- Unusual Parties

- Nightlife and Nightclubs

- Hangout Street Spots and Points – Free

- Daytime Activities

- Bars and Drinks

- Food

- Late Snacks

I´ve also created a Party/Events this All-Week Schedule to help you decide which places to go at each day of your visit in Rio! Hope this becomes very useful on your decisions.

It should be good for almost any week of the year. Most of them are inexpensive. I tried to organize it according to the best day of each event. Some of the hours I suggest by each event overlap or are too close to one another. In these cases, it´s an “either/or” situation, so you must choose according to what you´re looking for. When this doesn´t happen, it means that you can go to the events one after the other, if you re in good shape!

If I had just a week to spend in Rio, this is how I would do it:

Monday:

- Pedra do Sal – Free Street Samba Party (19h)

- Samba do Trabalhador – Samba Party (18h)

- Stalos – Late Snacks and Food (2h)

Tuesday:

- Saara / Uruguaiana – Popular Shopping (14h)

- Ovelha Negra – Champaign Bar (18h)

- Cervantes – Late Snacks and Drinks (23h)

- Empório – Free Rock Bar (1h)

Wednesday:

- Gargalo – Dinner and Drinks (20h)

- Democráticos – Nightlife – Forró - Dancing (23h)

- Casa da Cachaça – After Party Drinks and Hangout (4h)

Thursday:

- Baixo Gávea – Free Hangout Spot (21h)

- Belmont Leblon – Bar and Free Hangout Spot (23h)

- Empório – Free Rock Bar (0h)

Friday:

- Aprazível – Early Dinner (18h)

- Samba Luzia – Samba Party (21h)

- Circo Voador (23h) – There´s always a cool party goin´ on, but check it out first.

- Zozô - Nightclub (23h)

Saturday:

- Feira do Lavradio – Free Street Antique´s Fair, first Saturday of each month – it´s a must! (14h)

- Cardosão – Feijoada and Food (15h)

- Samba do Ouvidor – Free Street Samba Party (18h) – Check if it´s going to happen at date you´re in town, first.

- Rio Scenarium - Nightclub (22h)

- Unusual Parties (22h) – Check which of them are happening in the dates you´re in town.

- Pizzaria Guanabara – After After Party Drinks (5h)

Sunday

- Bar do Mineiro - Food (14h)

- Mureta da Urca – Free Hangout Spot (16h)

- Pavão Azul – Bar and Free Hangout Spot (16h)

- Casa Rosa – Feijoada and Samba Party (19h)

- Salvação – Bar and Samba Party  (18h)

- Empório - Free Rock Bar (0h or 2h, if you went to Casa Rosa before)

Who ever completes 80% of this schedule, send me a message! I´ll try to complement you personally! And you can consider yourself an expert on Rio´s social, bohemian, party customs. Have fun!


In case you’re looking for some extra literature about Rio, here are a few suggestions:
- Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro (Travel Guide) (Regis St Louis)

- Lonely Planet Accessible Rio Kindle Edition (Lonely Planet)

- Rio de Janeiro: Extreme City Kindle Edition (Luiz Eduardo Soares)

- The Rio de Janeiro Reader: History, Culture, Politics (Daryle Williams)

- Hard Times in the Marvelous City: From Dictatorship to Democracy in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro (Bryan McCann)

- Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide - 100 Must-Do: Outdoor Adventures, TOP 5 Beaches in Rio (Copacabana), Historical and Cultural Sights, Eat Drink, Cool Cafes, ... tourist places, Unusual Hostels, Souvenirs! (Kevin Hampton)

- Drugs and Democracy in Rio de Janeiro: Trafficking, Social Networks, and Public Security (Enrique Desmond Arias)

- My Rio de Janeiro: A Cookbook Hardcover (Leticia Moreinos Schwartz)

- Favela: Four Decades of Living on the Edge in Rio de Janeiro Reprint Edition (Janice Perlman)

- Living with Insecurity in a Brazilian Favela: Urban Violence and Daily Life Hardcover (R. Ben Penglase )

Belmonte Leblon – Bar – Hangout Spot

It´s a big bar in Leblon, but it could also be considered as a hangout spot. Lots o people gather here almost every day to have drinks and chat in the streets. You could come for an after beach food and snacks, or to get some drinks before heading to your main party.

Good looking people and located in one of the best neighborhoods in Rio makes this a good option, if you like street hangout places.

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Hangout Spot.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Bests Days From Thursday Till Sunday.
Hour: 11h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 17h (after beach), 22h (pre night).
Kind of People Expected: Elite, about 15% foreign.
Address: Rua Dias Ferreira, 521 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro

How to get there:
- Bus: Almost any conventional bus heading to Leblon would take you there. Just ask the driver before getting in.
- Taxi: Ask the driver Belmonte Leblon. Everyone knows about it
- Walking: If you´re in Ipanema or Leblon, there´s no problem walking to these places.

Map:

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Praça São Salvador – Laranjeiras – Hangout Spot

Another “hidden” place that locals hangout in Rio. The atmosphere is great as you drink in the main square. Lots of bars around it, if you want to sit in a place or restaurant and have some drinks too. Good option to start off your afternoon, deciding where to go at night. At the same time that´s a good program for singles, it´s also a nice place for couples to relax.

Sometimes there´s gonna be a samba group in the middle of the square, providing the music, while you drink and chat. Street sellers also put their stands for you to get a taste of typical weekend afternoon hangouts, done by the cariocas.

Technical Info:
Type: Hangout Spots, Daytime Activity, Drinks.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Saturdays and Sundays.
Hour: 12h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 14h (lunch), 16h (pré-night), 20h (pré-night).
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, locals, about 1% foreign.
Address: Praça São Salvador, Laranjeiras.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Largo do Machado Station (see map) and walk to the address.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of them are: 133, 180, 184, 422, 507, 569, 580 and 583.
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at the address or at Praça São Salvador, everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Laranjeiras, Flamendo or Largo do Machado, you could go by foot too without any problems.

Map:

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Cardosão – Laranjeiras – Feijoada – Daytime Activity

There´s a typical Brazilian dish called Feijoada. It´s originated in the slave period together with African customs. Consists of black beans with some kinds of pork and red meat. It also has some special Brazilian sausages mixed in (calabresa and paio), which I find them the best, and would advise you only to eat these sausages if you have any restrictions on trying exotic food.

Anyway, this became such a typical dish for the Brazilians culture that many party events offers this dish. And where there is feijoada, there´s samba! It´s common for Brazilian to go out to eat feijoada and make a special event for it.

This is one of the coolest feijoada experiences in Rio, in my point of view. The name of the “restaurant” is Cardosão a simple depot/grocery store (don´t know exactly how to translate the right denomination), but very nice and exclusive. It´s located in a hidden part of Laranjeiras, a traditional neighborhood in Rio. And not so many Cariocas know about it. Great way to start your day. Very good feijoada (and other stuff too), cold beer, drinks and all at very reasonable price. It happens on every Saturday and if your lucky, there´ll be a small samba group playing at the place. Even if you´re not into food programs and wanna drink during the day, this is a good choice. Nice looking people and inside a residential part of the neighborhood. Just don´t expect excellent service, as on Saturdays the place is packed and they don´t have as many waiters for the demand. Be patient and if you want to eat calmly, get here early – about 12h.

If you´re interested in feijoada, there´s another blog called Best Feijoadas in Rio de Janeiro, where some of the best feijoadas are listed in type of ranking order:

http://melhoresfeijoadasdoriodejaneiro.blogspot.com.br/

Technical Info:
Type: Food, Drinks, Daytime Activity.
Price: Below Average / Reasonable.
Frequency: Every week, on Saturdays.
Hour: 11h till 19h.
Good Time to Arrive: 12h (if you want to eat) or at any time for drinks and snacks.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, and locals and about 1% foreign.
Address: Rua Cardoso Júnior, 312 – Laranjeiras.

How to get there:
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at the address.
- Walking: If you´re in Laranjeiras, Flamendo or Largo do Machado, you could go by foot too without any problems, but there will be a hill, about 15 minutes upwards.

Map:

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Photos:

 

Aprazível/Bar dos Descasados - Santa Teresa – Food - Drinks

One of the best restaurants in Santa Teresa, and it's in a famous hotel here. Nice food, drinks and there's a cool bar on the side called Bar dos Descasados which is also a good option for drinks, with lots of good looking people. The prices are above average, so be prepared to spend a few bucks.

Technical Info:
Type: Food, Drinks.
Price: Above Average.
Frequency: Every Day, Best Days Are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Hour: 11h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 12h till 17h (for lunch) and 19h till 21h (for dinner and drinks).
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, about 30% foreign.
Address: Rua Aprazível, 62 - Santa Teresa.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the station Glória (https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=Rua+Apraz%C3%ADvel&daddr=Gl%C3%B3ria+%40-22.920188,-43.176821&hl=pt-BR&ie=UTF8&sll=-22.92152,-43.18363&sspn=0.017866,0.01929&geocode=FeMwov4duAJt_Q%3BFQREov4diyxt_Q&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=16&t=m&z=16) you could walk towards it (about 10 minutes up hill) or take a taxi in Glória Station, it should be around R$ 15,00 ($ 7.00).
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Rua Aprazível, 62 - Santa Teresa.
- Walking: If you´re in Glória or Centro, you could go by foot too. But it would be at least a 20 minute walk up hill.

Map:

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Baixo Gávea – Street Point - Free

Very traditional hangout street point in "zona sul". Works better on Thursday, since forever. Also at specific times of the year, on a Monday. You can hangout drinking on the street or go inside the many bars available, if you want to get something to eat first, or if you are with a large group, with couples and so on.

 

If you meet any locals, you can get a hint of what a good mainstream option to go afterwards.

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Street Point.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Best Days on Thursdays and Mondays (Check First).
Hour: 12h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 21h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, mainstream, about 5% foreign.
Address: Praça Santos Dumont - Gávea

How to get there:
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of the lines are: 124, 158, 161, 170, 172, 173, 176, 178, 186, 410, 438, 439 and 513. And ask the driver to drop you at Praça Santos Dumont (see map).
- Taxi: Ask the driver  to take you to Praça Santos Dumont in Gávea or just say Baixo Gávea. Most of the drivers know about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Leblon or Jardim Botânico, there´s no problem on going by foot. Depending on where you´re at, it could be a long walk.

Map:

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Mureta da Urca - Bar Urca – Urca – Street Point - Free

It works best on a Sunday, especially after a day at the beach. You can get here at about 17h and people will be drinking already, while enjoying a great view of our beautiful bay.

One of the most traditional neighborhoods in Rio. Best option to arrive here is by taxi, which shouldn't be expensive if you're staying anywhere in "zona sul" (a special area in Rio).

Nice people and calm atmosphere makes this point good to start off your night or end up your early day. Nothing special to say about the drinks or food.

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Street Point.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Best Days on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hour: 12h till 00h
Good Time to Arrive: 17h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, alternative, about 5% foreign.
Address: Rua Cândido Gaffrée, 205 - Urca

How to get there:
- Bus: Specific buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of the lines are: 107, 511, 512 and 513.
- Taxi: Ask the driver  to take you to Rua Cândido Gaffrée in Urca. Most of the drivers know about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Copacabana or Botafogo, there´s no problem on going by foot. But it´s gonna be a very long walk.

Map:

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399, Seu Bar and Taco Tequila - Street Hangout Point – Free - Barra

If for some reason you are located in Barra, then this is about your only good option for street hangout. Mixed crowd and works just about everyday, but on weekends are much more crowded. If you´re not in Barra, don´t even bother coming here. It´s a bit far, and you can see just about the same stuff in Zona Sul. Afterward, you can checkout the mainstream and expensive clubs, like Nuth, 021, São Nunca and so on.

Type: Bars, Street Point.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Bests Days From Thursday Till Sunday.
Hour: 12h till 3h
Good Time to Arrive: 17h on weekdays and 21h on weekends.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, mainstream, about 2% foreign.
Address: Avenida Olegário Maciel, 399 - Barra da Tijuca

How to get there:
- Bus: Almost any conventional bus heading to Barra or in Barra, heading to Centro, but ask the locals first. You´ll stop at the Igrejinha (Little Church) and go by foot from there on (see map). About 10 minutes walk.
- Taxi: In Barra, that´s the best option. Just as the driver to leave you at the address.
- Walking: If you´re in Jardim Oceânico (a part of Barra), there´s no problem on going by foot.

Map:

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Empório – Ipanema – Bar – Street Point - Free

Another alternative rock bar in Rio. Very good for after parties, cause it stays open till late at night, about 5h. Afterwards, everyone goes to the kiosks, by the beach, which is near by. And best thing about it, it's for free! It works every day, but the best days vary a lot. Last time I check, it was on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Good idea to get there late, about 00h - 1h. Good option on a Sunday, since there aren't as many places till late as this one.

 

You can get traditional Brazilian drinks inside, or with the street sellers near by. People normally stay right at the street, where you can chat and get to know all kinds of people, or you can go inside to dance a bit after the bunch of drinks you've got.

 

I gotta warn you. Most of the days, there will be more then 50% men. You gotta go in the right day for that not to happen, that is, if you are a guy. Never the less, you'll still have fun, with all the interesting characters you'll meet.

 

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Street Point.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Bests Days From Thursday Till Sunday.
Hour: 21h till 5h
Good Time to Arrive: 00h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, alternative, about 20% foreign.
Address: Rua Maria Quitéria 37 - Ipanema

 

How to get there:
- Bus: Almost any conventional bus heading to Ipname/Leblon would take you there. Just ask the driver before getting in, and to warn you when it´s near Rua Maria Quitéria.
- Subway: Stop at the General Osório Station (see map), then walk to Rua Maria Quitéria.
- Taxi: Ask the driver  to take you to Rua Maria Quitéria in Ipanema. Most of the drivers know about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Ipanema, Copacabana or Leblon, there´s no problem on going by foot.

 

Map:

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Pavão Azul - Bar – Copacabana - Free

Another street bar in Rio. There are two of them, one in front of the other. People hangout here almost everyday, and you can stop by to have some drinks before heading to your main event and so on. It's good also as an after beach event, if you're still in the mood for drinks. And checkout how “cariocas” spend their day by day hangouts.

Technical Info:
Type: Bars.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Bests Days From Thursday Till Sunday.
Hour: 17h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 17h (weekends), 20h (weekdays).
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, about 5% foreign.
Address: Rua Hilario de Gouveia, 71 - Copacabana

How to get there:
- Bus: Almost any conventional bus heading to Copacabana would take you there. Just ask the driver before getting in, and to warn you when it´s near Rua Hilário de Gouveia.
- Subway: Stop at the Siqueira Campos Station (see map), then walk to Rua Hilário de Gouveia.
- Taxi: Ask the driver Pavão Azul in Copacabana. Most of the drivers know about it. If not, just ask to leave you at the address.
- Walking: If you´re in Ipanema or Copacabana, there´s no problem on going by foot.

Map:

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Veloso and Jobi - Bar - Leblon

They are very close to one another, so it's a good idea to check out both. Very traditional in “Zona Sul” (a special region in Rio), among young people. At first, I would say that there's nothing really special about the places. No music, a bit expensive and so on. But, for some reason, the locals love this place. You can hang out outside the bar, almost like a street point, and lot of nice looking people here.

You can stop by both as an after beach event, but only in Jobi you can find it open till 6h, so it's also good as an after party program. Everybody wasted talking a lot of bullshit...nice way to finish off and head for your place (preferably with someone as wasted as you, at this point).

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Late Snacks.
Price: Free.
Frequency: Every Day, Bests Days From Thursday Till Saturday.
Hour: 12h till 6h (Jobi), 12h till 2h (Veloso)
Good Time to Arrive: 17:30h (Veloso), 22h or 4h (Jobi).
Kind of People Expected: Elite, about 5% foreign.
Address: Rua Aristides Espínola, 44 – Leblon (Veloso), Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva, 1166 – Leblon (Jobi)

How to get there:
- Bus: Almost any conventional bus heading to Leblon would take you there. Just ask the driver before getting in.
- Taxi: Ask the driver Veloso in Leblon. Everyone knows about it
- Walking: If you´re in Ipanema or Leblon, there´s no problem walking to these places.

Map (Veloso):

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Map (Jobi):

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Photos (Jobi):

 

 

Video (Jobi):

 

Buxixo – Nightlife – Hangout Spot - Tijuca

This is also a place where you could call a hangout spot. It’s located in Tijuca, a traditional neighborhood in Rio, but closer to the suburbs. There are many bars next to one another, on this square where it´s located, which is called Praça Varnhagen.

It’s packed almost every day, and you can hangout in the square for free and get some drinks in the bars. But my tip is to go on a Sunday and get into the main place, which is called Buxixo (there´s the bar and there´s the nightclub – I mean the nightclub). There´s a low admission fee, but there will be a live show of a popular Brazilian rhythm that goes by “pagode”.

Be sure to get hammered and you’ll have lots of fun with all kinds of people, till 4h in the morning. Afterwards, you can get some street food close by this place (see map) before heading home.

Technical Info:
Type: Nightlife, Hagout Spot.
Price: Below Average.
Frequency: Almost Every Day, Best day on Sundays.
Hour: 18h till 4h.
Good Time to Arrive: 19h (for hangout), 22h (for party, nightlife).
Kind of People Expected: Mixed, middle class, about 1% foreign.
Address: Praça Varnhagen - Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.

How to get there:
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Renascença Clube or give him the address. I wouldn´t advise to go any other way, unless you´re with a local.

Map:

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