Semente – Samba – Nightlife

Great way to end up your Sunday! Be ready for it, as the party here goes to late at night. It´s located in Lapa, a small place, but packed most of the time and plays samba de raiz (root samba).

Drinks are sold at reasonable price and the admission fee (for the show) is low too. Lots of locals and a few tourists, but it´s still an authentic samba party in Rio´s samba scene. Even if you don´t feel like going in the place, you can hang outside and listen to the samba, while having some drinks on the street. Although, on Sundays, Lapa is not as full as it usually is on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And be careful with personal belongings, as always, when going to Lapa.

Technical Info:
Type: Samba Party, Nightlife.
Price: Below Average.
Frequency: Every Sunday.
Hour: 22h till 4h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h / 00h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, locals, mixed, about 15% foreign.
Address: Rua Joaquim Silva, 138 - Lapa.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Cinelândia Station (see map) and walk towards Lapa.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of the lines are: 158, 161, 162, 178, 180, 238, 247, 351 and 362 (see map).
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Arcos da Lapa. Everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Glória, Centro or Santa Teresa, you could go by foot too.

Map:

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Gargalo – Food – Lapa

One of my favorite places to eat in Lapa. The Secret? Simple typical Brazilian food, greatly done – barbecue style, with an above average service. When I bring my foreign friends over, they really like it. The prices are good and the dishes come with a lot of food. 

Sometimes I stop at this place for beer before heading to a party in Lapa. The beer is always very cold, and if you´re not in the mood for the packed places you normally find in Lapa, this is the spot to go to. It´s big, and has a second floor, where you can have your drinks and food without Lapa´s chaos.

Technical Info:
Type: Food, Drinks.
Price: Depends on How Much You´re Gonna Eat. Prices Are Reasonable Here.
Frequency: Every Day, Best Days Are Fridays and Saturdays.
Hour: 11h till 1h
Good Time to Arrive: 12h till 17h (lunch) or 19h till 22h (dinner).
Kind of People Expected: Middle class and locals.
Address: Rua do Riachuelo, 64 - lapa.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Cinelândia Station (see map) and walk to the address.
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at the address.
- Walking: If you´re in Glória, Centro or Santa Teresa, you could go by foot too without any problems.

Map:

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Casa da Cachaça (Cachaça House) – Lapa – Drinks – After Party

Cachaça is a typical drink here in Brazil, made of sugar cane. It's what authentic caipirinhas are made with. But be careful, it's very strong, about 40% alcohol. I would compare to vodka, but another taste, completely. And most of them are really cheap, so it's the preferred kind of drink of the lowerer classes.

As with vodka, there are many types of Cachaça, and very good ones too, at higher rates, and of course other interesting taste.

 

This bar is located in Lapa, and it would be considered what we call a "boteco", a kind of very small bar for quick drinks, from all kinds of classes, mixed. The cool thing about this bar is the huge Cachaça selection available. Just ask for the bar tender (which is probably the owner) to suggest you something good. They work like shots, and don't be fooled by it's sweetness. You will get drunk if you have too many of them.

 

You can stop by before heading to a party and works as an after party event too, where there should be lots of cool people hanging outside the bar, on the street. Good from Wednesday on. But not a good option on a Sunday.

Technical Info:
Type: Bars, Drinks, Nightlife, After Party.
Price: Below Avarege.
Frequency: Every Day, Best Days Are Thursday Through Saturdays.
Hour: 12h till 7h
Good Time to Arrive: 21h (before parties) and 4h (after parties).
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, mixed, about 10% foreign.
Address: Av. Mem de Sá 102 - Lapa.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Cinelândia Station (see map) and walk towards Lapa.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of the lines are: 158, 161, 162, 178, 180, 238, 247, 351 and 362 (see map).
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Av. Mem de Sá 102 - Lapa. Everyone knows this street.
- Walking: If you´re in Glória, Centro or Santa Teresa, you could go by foot too.

Map:

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Circo Voador – Lapa – Parties - Nightlife

One of my favorite places in Rio. It's like a cultural/event space, in the middle of Lapa, where there are all sorts of parties. Some are only with DJs, but others have live shows. Very mixed crowed, and the prices for admission are around R$ 50,00 ($ 25.00). It goes till late at night, and afterwards, you can get something to eat right in from of it, sold by the street sellers.

Technical Info:
Type: Parties, Nightlife.
Price: Average.
Frequency: Almost Every Day, Best Days Are Thursday Through Saturdays.
Hour: 22h till 5h
Good Time to Arrive: 22h / 23h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, mixed, about 10% foreign.
Address: Rua dos Arcos - Centro.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Cinelândia Station (see map) and walk towards Lapa.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of the lines are: 158, 161, 162, 178, 180, 238, 247, 351 and 362 (see map).
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Circo Voador - Lapas. Everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Glória, Centro or Santa Teresa, you could go by foot too.

Map:

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