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 )

Samba do Trabalhador – Samba de Raiz - Nightlife

The name of this event translates to “Worker´s Samba”. The story behind it is that it was created for the people who worked the full weekend, including Sundays, and had the Monday off.

It´s been around for a long time and it became very a traditional party in Rio´s Samba Scene. For starters, it´s located in a neighborhood known for samba, called Villa Isabel. And musically, people that understand about samba say it´s the best quality music in samba parties around. Plays mostly samba de raiz (root samba), that classical samba style.

Happens every Monday and starts at about 17h. So you can check this out as there´s not so many options on a Monday, and specially at this hour. Very low admission and drink´s/food are very cheap too. You could still plan on doing something later on, as it finishes at around 23h.

Technical Info:
Type: Samba de Raiz (Root Samba) Party, Nightlife.
Price: Below Average.
Frequency: Every Monday.
Hour: 17h till 23h.
Good Time to Arrive: 17h.
Kind of People Expected: Mixed, middle class, about 2% foreign.
Address: Renascença Clube - Rua Barão de São Francisco, 54 - Andaraí.

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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Samba Luzia - Clube Santa Luzia – Samba Party – Nightlife

Nice samba party in Centro. It happens in a club, located close by the city´s airport. Every Friday and Sunday, basically the same event. They just vary on the starting hours. The Friday event starts at 20h and the Sunday event is more as an afternoon party – around 16h. There´s always a famous samba de raiz (root samba) band in Rio´s samba scene playing all the classics.

Mixed people, easy hook ups, reasonable prices on drinks and snacks, and a low admission fee (around R$ 30,00 / $ 15.00) makes this a good option if you´re curious to get to know a good samba party. It´s it´s raining, forget about is, as it´s mostly an outdoors event.

Technical Info:
Type: Samba de Raiz (Root Samba) Party, Nighlife.
Price: Average.
Frequency: Every Friday and Sunday.
Hour: 8h till 3h (Fridays) , 17h till 23h (Sundays)
Good Time to Arrive: 21h (Fridays), 18h (Sundays).
Kind of People Expected: Mixed, middle class, about 5% foreign.
Address: Avenida Almirante Silvio de Noronha, 300 - Centro.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the station Cinelândia and then walk toward it (about 10 minutos walking).
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Clube Santa Luzia by the airport - Centro.
- Walking: If you´re in Centro, there shouldn´t be any problem going by foot here.

Map:
 
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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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Bukowski – Botafogo – Rock Party

Here's an alternative place to go. Rock music and a room with vinyl DJ! At reasonable admission fee - about R$ 35,00 ($18.00), it's a great choice if you wanna get away from the mainstream expensive stuff. It does't feel like a nightclub. As you go in, you'll get the impression that you're in a house party. And it really used to be a house. It's located in Botafogo, a traditional neighborhood with lots of bars and alternative people, mostly connected to creative area and journalism.

 

Be sure to get in early (about 22h), because of the huge waiting line or get in late in the hour, like an after party works too - about 2h. The drinks are also sold at reasonable prices.

Technical Info:
Type: Party, Nightclubs, Nightlife.
Price: Average.
Frequency: Every week from Thursdays to Saturdays – Best days are Fridays and Saturdays.
Hour: 22h till 6h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h or 2h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, alternative, about 5% foreign.
Address: Rua Álvaro Ramos, 270 - Botafogo.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at Botafogo Station (see map) and walk to the street on the address – about 10 minutes walk.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of them are: 119, 126, 162, 190, 426, 432, 444, 445, 472 and 464.
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at the address, everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Botafogo or Humaitá, you could go by foot too without any problems.

Map:

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Rock-me – Party – Nightlife

As the name says, it´s a rock party. Plays all types of rock music. New, old, hard, soft, for all kinds of preferences. It´s a big party, about 800 people. One of those parties that happens every other month, normally on a Saturday, and the past months, always at this same spot called Hideaway, in Laranjeiras. This place is really cool, since it has a big indoors space with a separate dance floor and an outdoors space for walking around and smoking.

 

Alternative people mixed with mainstream makes the audience very eclectic. Prices on drinks and admission are reasonable, specially because sometimes there´s a live band playing.

 

Be sure to check out if the party is happening on the weekend you´re in town, in one of these sites:

 

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/festarockme

 

Events Site:
www.todorio.com

Technical Info:
Type: Nightlife, Party.
Price: About R$ 40,00 ($ 20.00) admission fee.
Frequency: Every other month, normally on a Saturday.
Hour: 22h till 5h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, alternative and locals.
Address: Normally on a place called Hideaway - Rua das Laranjeiras, 308 - Laranjeiras.

Photos:

 

Zozô – Urca – Nightlife

This is a very Nice place in Urca, but it belongs to the mainstream club options. It´s a bit expensive to get in and it´s probably gonna be a huge line too. Unless you program yourself to have dinner at this place and stay for the disco afterwards.

Drinks are also a bit expensive and the music is most likely similar to the ones you´re used to listen in your home country, at the nightclubs. If you are into big nightclubs, this is for sure a good option. It´s located by Sugarloaf. You can even go to Sugarloaf before and have dinner at Zozô. Lots of beautiful people.

Technical Info:
Type: Nightlife, Nightclubs.
Price: Above Average.
Frequency: From Thursday to Sunday.
Hour: 19h till 4h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h (nightclub) 20h (dinner).
Kind of People Expected: Mainstream, about 15% foreign.
Address: Praça General Tibúrcio - Urca.

How to get there:
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. Some of them are: 107, 511, 512, and 513.
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at the address or at Sugarloaf - Urca, which is very near by and everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Urca, you could go by foot too without any problems.

Map:

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Pessoas do Século Passado – Party – Rio de Janeiro

The translation of the this party´s name is: People From the Past Century, which means that the target audience in the party is between the age of 30 and 40 years old. It plays a lot of rock music, and the prices on drinks are reasonable.

Be sure to get in early. About 23h – it gets quite crowded. And there´s a chance you might not get in. The places where it takes places vary, so check out to confirm where it´s happening. Don´t expect to see tourist in this party. Most of the people here are locals.

Facebook Profile:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/festapessoas

Events Site:
www.todorio.com

Technical Info:
Type: Party, Nightlife.
Price: Average.
Frequency: Normally on a Saturday. Be sure to check out the dates first.
Hour: 22h till 5h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, about 5% foreign.
Address: Undefined at each edition.

Photos: 

 

Festa Segredo – Party – Nightlife

The story behind this party is actually funny. In Portuguese, it means “Secret Party” and before it really used to be a secret, where and when this party was happening. But as it became more and more popular, it started to happen always in the same place.

However, the dates vary a lot. Normally it´s every other weekend. You can check out these sites to check out if it´s happening on the weekend you´re in Rio. It´s a great party. You should go.

Facebook Profile:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/segredo.festa?fref=ts

Events Site:

www.todorio.com

Lots of beautiful people. Admission is about R$ 40,00 ($ 20.00). And the drinks are at reasonable price too. The place where it happens is in Laranjeiras, so it´s a good idea to have some drinks in Praça São Salvador (see map) before heading to this party.

Technical Info:
Type: Party, Nightlife.
Price: Average.
Frequency: Friday or Saturday. Be sure to check out the dates first.
Hour: 22h till 4h
Good Time to Arrive: 23h.
Kind of People Expected: Middle class, about 5% foreign.
Address: Travessa Euricles de Matos, 40, Laranjeiras.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Largo do Machado Station (see map) and walk to the street on 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, which is very near by and 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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Salgueiro – Samba School - Nightlife

If you are curious to get to know a samba school from up close, I would suggest this place. It´s located in Tijuca, a middle class neighborhood in Rio. In My opinion, it has the best infra-structure among these type of places. The service is good and has air conditioning all over, which is essential for these kind of places in Rio.

 

The music is very loud and at some point in the night, there are going to be samba dancers making a presentation, which is fun to look at. If you are on a budget limit, take the subway to Tijuca, then grab a taxi. But be sure to go home by cab afterwards.

Technical Info:
Type: Samba, Nighlife.
Price: Below Average.
Frequency: Thursday through Saturday, best day on a Saturday.
Hour: 22h till 4h
Good Time to Arrive: 0h.
Kind of People Expected: Lower and Middle class, mixed, about 10% foreign.
Address: Rua Silva Teles, close to 79 - Tijuca.

How to get there:
- Subway: Stop at the Sans Peña Station (see map) and then take a cab to Salgueiro.
- Bus: Lots of buses come here. Ask locals which ones to take from where you´re staying at. But I wouldn´t suggest it.
- Taxi: Ask the driver to leave you at Salgueiro. Everyone knows about it.
- Walking: If you´re in Tijuca, you could go by foot too.

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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