Welcome to Rio de Janeiro’s #1 nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Rio de Janeiro. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid-back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Rio de Janeiro (Marvelous City) is a Brazilian city with golden beaches and thick mountains, vibrant nightlife, and a lot of excitement. It is also known as So Sebastio do Rio de Janeiro, a city in Brazil that is a port and a city.
In the southern part of South America’s tropical zone stands the city, dubbed the most picturesque and fascinating city on earth.
A little about Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro continues to be regarded by many around the world as the preeminent icon of Brazil. Still, in reality, it is highly isolated from other Brazilian cities, most notably the capital Brasilia and the larger city of So Paulo.
A much smaller city, Rio is not as spectacularly beautiful or charming as Manila, a vast industrial and commercial hub that lacks Rio’s charm. In contrast to Rio, both cities have flat interior plateaus.
Climate
The climate of Greater Rio is generally hot, humid, tropical, but its topography, its proximity to the ocean, and its position within South America’s Southern Cone play significant roles in determining its climate. In addition, the coastal breeze changes the temperature as it blows alternately onshore and offshore.
Because of its geographical location, the city is frequently hit by cold fronts moving from Antarctica, especially during autumn and winter, causing frequent weather changes. The worst flooding and landslides tend to occur in summer when there are heavy rains. Since mountainous regions block humid Atlantic winds, the rain in these areas is more significant. Jardim Botânico, a district in the suburban neighborhood where coastal mountains trap moist winds from the Atlantic, has the highest rainfall (more than 63 inches [1,600 mm]).
Culture
Known for its beaches, peaks, ridges, and hills, including tropical forests that partly cover its mountains, Rio de Janeiro is well known for its beauty. Brazilian and foreign tourists alike frequent the city, and visitors are able to be seen in bathing suits on the streets, at the beaches, and on city buses.
Carnival, the annual festival that enlivens the city with music, singing, celebrations, and balls, is perhaps the best way to display the city’s festive reputation and dancing to samba rhythms in costumed street parades.
Despite being a major economic center, Rio participates in a wide range of other activities, including trade, education, banking, and culture. Thus, the economic heartland of Brazil became So Paulo, and Brazil’s political capital became Brasilia. Still, residents of Rio de Janeiro increasingly took pride in being the country’s cultural center and the country’s most potent symbol in the world.
Nightlife
There’s no better place in the world to party than Rio de Janeiro. The city’s carnival revelry and New Year’s festivities may be the city’s most celebrated traditions, but nothing beats Rio’s ability to let loose.
The fact that Rio de Janeiro is filled with a lot of nightclubs is therefore not surprising. However, one of the surprises visitors may encounter is that the city’s famed party spirit is hard to find.
If you’re a party animal in Rio de Janeiro, your first stop should be Lapa, the heart of Rio’s party district. This former seedy nocturnal hangout is now every clubber’s paradise. In Lapa, you will hear a wide range of musical styles, from sultry samba to Bass-driven hip hop. Visit famous destinations such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon on a nocturnal stroll through Zona Sul’s touristy.
Having observed the nightlife in the city for a few minutes, one could conclude that little more than overpriced pizza restaurants and strip joints (Copacabana) constitute the nightlife in the city. Posing palaces (Ipanema and Leblon) model themselves, and you can find Western nightclubs. Locals shake their booties in all sorts of places if you scratch the surface.
A partygoer should make a point of checking out Lapa in Rio de Janeiro, the city’s downtown party district, which has recently transformed from an unsavory hangout to everyone’s favorite club. Whether it’s sultry bossa nova, tinny favela funk, or bass-heavy hip hop, you can heat it in Lapa.
Best NIGHTCLUBS
There are lots of cool bars and nightclubs in Rio for those who enjoy partying hard. Lapa is the center of a large part of the community but is spread out throughout the city. You will also hear tinny favela funk and even Live bossa nova. Thus, it is not surprising that nightclubs are plentiful and lively in Rio de Janeiro. The city’s famous party spirit is typically a little hard to find in the city, which can come as a surprise to visitors.
LEVIANO BAR
Lapa’s historic colonial mansion home has been transformed with neon artworks on brick walls, vibrant cocktails, and an equally uplifting soundtrack. The reformed colonial mansion home is located in the heart of the historic district and hosts dance parties with live music every night of the week, including electro-heavy club nights, jazz jams, and samba sessions. The top floor dance floors are packed well into the small hours.
Guests who can hear each other over the pumping music can chat and drink on the mezzanine balcony. There are some delectable finger foods available, along with an extensive cocktail menu. A mixed platter is a good option for groups of friends since it comes with a wide variety of foods, including rosemary and garlic breadsticks, focaccia bread, sun-dried tomato paste, and small oven-baked pastries. The sidewalk patio is a great place to people watch during the early evening hours if you’re not feeling like clubbing.
Address: Av. Mem de Sá, 47 – Centro, Lapa – RJ, 20230-150, Brazil
Timing: 06:00 pm – 04:00 am Daily
Phone: +55 21 99625-3312
CASA DA MATRIZ
The Casa da Matriz is your first choice if you like your nightlife with an edge of the leftfield. On weekends, students and other hip young things flock to the place to catch DJs spinning hip hop, funk, punk, and tropicalia tunes. There are even karaoke nights with songs by Joy Division, Nirvana, the Pixies, and The Smiths.
This is a great place to visit if you want a musical night out. But, of course, you should dress like a hipster instead of a sambasta. The young and hip in Rio hang out at Casa da Matriz, a kooky and cool hangout. Unlike uber-glam, Casa da Matriz is hipper, funkier, and retro than many Rio nightspots.
Address: R. Henrique de Novais, 123 – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22281-050, Brazil
Timing: Mon-Wed (closed); Thu – Sat (6:00 pm – 01:00 am); Sun (12:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
Phone: +55 21 99999-8633
Website: http://www.casadamatriz.com.br/
Comuna
If you’re in the mood for dancing, sharing ice-cold beer, and meeting cool kids, don’t miss this excellent cultural hub easy to miss but well worth the trip. Aside from an art gallery, an outdoor terrace, and theme nights, it presents a studiously informal hipster aesthetic with a wide selection of DJ sets.
In addition to being an excellent burger joint, Comuna is also frequently recognized as having the best food in town by local food and beverage magazines. For a better chance of enjoying them, get here before 11 pm – after that time it becomes far too crowded to eat. The Comuna is a hip and happening spot in town where you can eat, drink, and socialize. Comuna’s website has a comprehensive list of DJ sets and lives music events before you go.
Address: R. Visc. de Maranguape, 9 – Centro, Lapa – RJ, 20021-390, Brazil
Timing: Mon – Tue (8:00 am – 3:30 pm); Wed-Sat (08:00 am – 11:00 pm)
RIO SCENARIUM
Anyone wanting to hear the real thing played live in Rio should head to Lapa, the historic downtown district in the city. In the kooky Rio Scenarium, the dancing, eating, and drinking are screened against a dazzling backdrop of costumes, masks, and historical artifacts, as well as an expansive display of TV and movie props.
Regardless of your dancing abilities, this place is worth visiting just for the highly skilled local performers. There’s a restaurant where you can sit down for a meal while watching the shows. This unique experience can only be enjoyed by Rio Scenarium where you can dance the samba in a warehouse full of antiques—feeling shy about dancing? Feel those inhibitions disappear when you sip on a caipirinha.
Address: R. do Lavradio, 20 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20230-070, Brazil
Phone: +55 21 3147-9000
Website: http://www.rioscenarium.com.br/
CARIOCA DA GEMA
The dance floor of this downtown dance club is shimmy and shaken by people of all ages, where feet shimmy and rump-shaking. Located within a beautiful colonial building, the club has a rooftop balcony that overlooks the crowded streets of Lapa. Ideal for people-watching and catching some fresh air before you carry out your activities at your dance-fest. Sip on a caipirinha while admiring the locals’ skill to feel like you have courage until you feel confident enough to take to the floor.
Since foreigners are primarily assumed to be incapable of dancing, no one will judge them harshly. Rio Scenarium attracts tourists, but Carioca da Gema attracts locals with a sense of adventure. In addition to the nightclub next door, the DJ runs a superb pizzeria – the perfect place to refuel following a night out dancing.
Address: Av. Mem de Sá, 79 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20230-150, Brazil
Timing: Thu – Fri (07:30 pm – 2:00 am); Sat (09:00 pm – 02:00 am); Sun – Tue (07:30 pm – 01:30 am); Wed (closed)
Phone: +55 21 98556-0834
Website: https://www.barcariocadagema.com.br/
Lapa 40 Graus
With its attractive combination of multi-level entertainment to appeal to all tastes, Lapa’s version of Rio, 40 Graus, a difficult-to-watch controversial 1955 film, aims to raise the bar on local nightlife. You won’t want to miss the live Brazilian music, funk, samba, and electronic DJs, as well as a little country-flavored music on the dancefloor. On typical gafieira nights, there are a lot of young people on the dance floor.
Timing: Wed – Sat (06:00 pm – 05:00 am)
Phone: +55 21 3970 1338
Address: Rua Riachuelo 97 Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 20230-010 Brazil
Website: http://lapa40graus.com.br/
Galeria Café
Ipanema’s Galeria, a popular gathering place in the heart of the city, serves as a gathering place for the LGBT community (though it doesn’t advertise itself as a gay bar so much as an inclusive, welcoming space).
Address: Rua Teixeira de Melo, 31. E/F – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22410-010, Brazil
Timing: Sun – Thu (closed); Fri (10:00 pm – 06:00 am); Sat (11:00 am – 08:00 pm and 10:00 pm – 06:00 am)
Website: http://www.galeriacafe.com.br/
Miroir
Two floors of this nightclub have dance floors, and one has a considerable VIP section. Smoking balconies overlook the imposing Statue of Christ. A glamorous and elite crowd comprising well-dressed Rio natives enjoys electronic beats from Rio’s biggest DJs every night.
Address: Av. Epitácio Pessoa, 1484 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22411-072, Brazil
Time: Thursday to Saturday from 11 pm to 6 am
Best Bars in Rio de Janeiro
Explorer Bar
Worldly fervor and a passion for all of its tastes. Explorer Bar is the result of the meet-up of three foreigners who fell in love with Rio during their stay. The Explorer Bar was born out of their love of the flavors discovered on their travels. The bar offers a sampling of flavors from around the globe without having to travel away from home. In the process, our explorers will experience the world through their tastes.
With international influences, our cuisine and beverages follow the same trend. A sense of charm, bohemian, and enchantment attends Santa Teresa. Beautiful mansions adorn the winding streets. It was once a studio and housed in a small turquoise Victorian mansion from the 1920s. Under the trees are decked under which you can watch the sunset.
Address: R. Alm. Alexandrino, 399 – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20241-260, Brazil
Timing: Fri (05:00 pm – 01:00 am); Sat (09:00 am – 01:00 am); Sun (09:00 am – 12:00 am); Mon (closed); Tue – Thur (05:00 pm – 12:00 am)
Phone: +55 21 3264-9665
Website: https://www.explorerbar.com/
Pavão Azul
Pavao Azul is one of the best spots in Rio for bar snacks, cold beers, and a nice night out. While there is almost never a table available and the place isn’t very nice looking, there’s almost always a stool a waiter can bring you. You can order an original Arctic bottle of Antarctica and shrimp pastel on arrival, along with a mild chili sauce called melho malageta, or try the succulent bolinho de bacalhau.
Address: Rua Hilário de Gouvêia, 71 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22040-002
Timing: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Phone: +55 21 2236-2381
Pub Escondido
Under an apartment building lies Copacabana’s discreet beer specialist. A celebration of American pale ales and the trusty hamburger, though not a recreation of an English pub (although some Magners cider and old-fashioned fruit beers are available).
As there are many choices, take your cue from the brew’s description, alcohol percentage, and price – some pints go for more than RM50 (10 pounds), but you can always find an excellent session IPA for little to nothing.
Address: R. Francisco Otaviano, 30 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22080-041, Brazil
Timing: 05:00 pm – 11:30 pm
BIP BIP
This unassuming bar in Copacabana might not seem like much, but it is one of the best places for live music in Rio de Janeiro. There is an established tradition of impromptu jam sessions in this locale on a Copacabana backstreet. As a result, many of the most skilled musicians in town come here for impromptu performances. Suitable for quality samba, bossa nova, choro, or bossa nova in an intimate setting, Bip Bip is not just for glamourous nightlife but also an excellent place to kick back and relax.
The only drinks available are self-served beers, but many singers, songwriters, and bands making this a very worthwhile visit. There aren’t many places in Rio where you can experience live samba at a tiny bar like this one. On Mondays and Tuesdays, they present delicate choro sounds. On Wednesdays, they feature bossa nova, and on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, they feature samba.
Address: R. Alm. Gonçalves, 50 – Loja D – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22060-040, Brazil
Timing: 08:00 pm – 01:00 am
Phone: +55 21 2267-9696
SACRILÉGIO
A traditional bar of Lapa is also housed here, along with one of Rio’s best clubs with live samba. Rodrigo, the barman at Rodrigo’s, creates exotic drinks at the house, including the Sacrilege Kir, made with rose petals, rose wine, and the famous caipivodka. It is through these events that art is spread throughout this beautiful city.
Address: Av. Mem de Sá, 81 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20230-150, Brazil
Timing: Sun – Mon (closed); Tue – Sat (07:00 pm – 04:00 am)
Phone: +55 21 3970-1461
Website: http://www.sacrilegio.com.br/
PALAPHITA
The Palaphita Gávea, which has been operating since 1926, is a space that promises a truly unique experience. A rustic architecture style combined with refinement brings to mind nature’s connection. Palaphita Privê offers an exotic and intense experience in a secret room in the Brazilian Jockey Club. The annex of Palaphita Gávea reveals the seduction and mystery through its charm and uniqueness. Offering the best Brazilian and international options, the Palaphita has a super rustic climate.
Address: RIOgaleão – Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim – Av. Vinte de Janeiro, s/n° – Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 21941-570, Brazil
Timing: 10:00 am – 01:00 am
JACK DANIEL’S ROCK BAR
Inside the Botanical Garden’s Jockey Club is Jack Daniel’s Rock Bar, located in a multicultural space. Concerts, rock n’roll, and tributes to rock bands are part of the program. Pick-ups are a DJ’s job, but shaking the night’s dance floor is their job as well.
Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 1.011 – Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22411-071, Brazil
Timing: Mon (closed); Tue – Wed-Sun (11:00 pm – 12:00 am); Thu – Sat (08:00 pm – 06:00 am)
Phone: (21) 97577-2525
BUKOWSKI
It catches the eye of passersby on Rua Levaro Ramos in Botafogo as a line of old wooden doors stands out. Since it was founded in 1898, it has had different addresses in the same neighborhood – it was always on Rua Paulo Barreto, Paulino Fernandes, and So Joo Batista streets. The three friends who created Bukowski, aka “Buko,” had two of their greatest passions: booze and music. Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday eves are the only times when the venue is open.
You can also check out the themes on the calendar that includes transgression, counterculture, and irreverence. Using an aggressive style, Charles Bukowski, one of the bar’s patrons, is no accident. A total of four bars, three dance floors, tables, and a hookah shop are present.
Address: R. Álvaro Ramos, 270 – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22280-110, Brazil
Timing: Sun-Wed (closed); Thu (07:00 pm – 12:00 am) Fri – Sat (07:00 pm – 05:00 am)
Phone: +55 21 2244-7303
Website: http://barbukowski.com.br/
BECO DAS GARRAFAS
Bottle’s Bar and Little Club combine to form this nightclub complex. On the beach, you can find the block in dead-end streets. A crowded concert hall here has been a weekly gathering place for musicians since the late 1950s. Despite the change in the space, the desire to give young talent a stage daily remains and shows from big names in Brazilian music throughout, which highlight the iconic Bossa Nova style of the space.
Address: Rua Duvivier, 37 – Lojas J, K, L – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22020-020, Brazil
Timing: Sun-Wed (closed); Thu – Sat (08:00 pm – 11:30 pm)
Phone: +55 21 98747-8459
Website: http://becodasgarrafas.mus.br/
VITRINNI LOUNGE BEER
A variety of rhythms are played, including electronica and sertanejo (Brazilian country music), with a high standard of decoration.
Address: Av. Armando Lombardi, 421 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22640-020, Brazil
Timing: Mon – Thu (08:00 pm – 05:00 am); Fri (08:00 pm – 12:00 am); Sat (09:00 pm – 05:00 am); Sun (06:00 pm – 02:00 am)
Phone: +55 21 3936-4245
Website: https://www.vitrinnilounge.com/home.php?filial=rj
The best thing about Bar Urca is the breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay, something it shares with other establishments in Urca. In addition, you can order fresh seafood when you tire of watching the water with beer and wine.
Address: Loja: Bar e Sobreloja: Restaurante – R. Cândido Gaffrée, 205 – Urca, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22291-080, Brazil
Timing: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
Phone: +55 21 2295-8744
Website: https://barurca.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
A night out at this Santa Teresa institution is the perfect way to spend an authentic evening. Though it isn’t open late (and its recipe for feijoada stew is just as famous as its cocktail recipes), there aren’t many so-called “saude” spots in Rio.
Address: Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno, 99 – Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20240-290, Brazil
Timing: 11:00 am – 09:00 pm (Monday closed)
Phone: +55 21 2221-9227
Skol Copacabana kiosk
At Skol Copacabana kiosk, you’ll find Copacabana’s best beachside kiosk bar. A large roof and a middle table connect two separate bars in this establishment. Skol Copacabana kiosk, located on Copacabana’s northern shore, is a great place to catch local bands on Saturday nights until late and catch up with friends while enjoying the nightlife. In addition, the kiosk is named after the famous beer brand Skol, so beer prices are lower here.
Address: Av. Atlântica, s/n – Quiosque 27 28 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22010-000, Brazil
Timing: 09:00 am – 12:00 am
Phone: +5521964275238
Website: http://praiaskol.com.br/
Bar Eclipse
There are many things to do at Bar Eclipse in Copacabana, whether to share a snack with friends, eat late at night, or just grab a drink. Try their fried codfish balls or balinhos de bacalhau, known for their large portions of Brazilian and American cuisine, available 24 hours a day. Football matches are being shown on their big screen TV throughout the day, so Bar Eclipse is the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the night watching your favorite Brazilian team.
Address: Av. Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 1309 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22070-011, Brazil
Timing: 24 hours
Phone: +552122871788
Website: http://www.bareclipse.com.br/
Boteco Belmonte
Step into Boteco Belmonte to cool off after a day at the beach if you want to experience the life of a Carioca. Within walking distance of Avenue Atlântica, a little neighborhood boteco provides fans of beach days with everything they need: delicious fried snacks, cold chope, excellent service, and live music. Copacabana’s best food is the shrimp pastel, a Brazilian variation of the classic South American empanada.
Address: R. Domingos Ferreira, 242 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22050-012, Brazil
Timing: 11:00 am – 01:00 am
Phone: +552122559696
Belmond Copacabana Palace
If you can afford a more luxurious experience, consider visiting the Belmond Copacabana Palace’s Copacabana Piano Bar. Its cover charge is sometimes over R$120, making it one of Rio’s most sophisticated bars. Enjoy the sounds of the South Atlantic, expertly crafted aperitifs, and the charisma of the rich and famous of the metropolitan area. A legendary hotel with some of the best views over the city and the sea is just steps from the Copacabana Promenade.
Address: Avenida Atlantica 1702, 22021-001, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hours: 24/7 daily
Best food to eat
There is nothing like the food in Rio when it comes to freshness, speed, and health. In some cases, at least. Mobile stalls or corner snack bars around the city offer the best food around the city, ranging from deep-fried snacks to the ultimate post-workout treat.
Nonetheless, we all deserve treats from time to time because of the city’s wonders. Unfortunately, its national cuisine lacks originality because of its multifaceted character. However, Rio de Janeiro’s typical dishes have an identity all their own, so this is a mistake. Instead, Rio de Janeiro has a dish that is special among its typical dishes.
Essentially, feijoada consists of ground black beans, meat, and salt. So you can almost guarantee to go to the beach in Rio de Janeiro and observe a salesman announcing the sale of “Ice Mate” or “Grilled Globo Cookies.”
We cannot deny that codfish cake plays an essential role on the Rio de Janeiro palate, as it’s typically consumed during the New Year celebrations. However, Picadinho is a tasty dish that has conquered many Cariocas’ palates due to its simplicity in preparation and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Rio de Janeiro have such a high reputation?
There are many natural attractions in Rio de Janeiro, like beaches, Carnival, bossa nova, and samba, and famous “balneario” beaches like Copacabana, Barra da Tijuca, Leblon, and Ipanema.
Does Rio de Janeiro have an English-speaking population?
Most people don’t speak English in their daily lives. Brazil has a remarkably low rate of English speakers, especially outside Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. The Brazilian people are friendly, though, and will usually find a way to communicate with you.
How valuable is it to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is the world’s most famous city, and many people love how it got the title of a beautiful and worthwhile tourist attraction. The island offers visitors everything they could wish for: stunning scenery, quirky history, world-renowned beaches, a culture rich with history, and a cuisine full of best-in-class cuisine.
What is safety like at night in Rio?
Even though Rio de Janeiro has a lousy reputation, walking around its main streets during the day is perfectly safe. However, it’s not safe to walk around a crowded or touristy area at night because it’s wealthy or touristy. Criminals specifically target these areas.
Conclusion
There is a very casual atmosphere in Rio’s nightlife. Havaianas and shorts are common clothing choices for Cariocas. So dressing up too much isn’t necessary most of the time.
It gets crowded during the weekends in Lapa, the most popular party neighborhood. In Rio, you can enjoy various parties and events, so just decide which one you want! Wait no more and book your tickets today.
