Discover Rio de Janeiro’s Vibrant Nightlife

As the sun sets over Rio de Janeiro’s beaches, the city’s sun-kissed cariocas (locals) head home to wash off the sand and prepare for a night out on the town. Do as the locals do and get ready to party, because Rio’s varied nightlife has plenty to offer.

An Informal Vibe

Rio takes an appropriately laid-back approach to after-dark activities – the crowds generally hit the streets around 9 PM, sipping chilled cervejas (beers) and enjoying bar snacks at a botequim (traditional Brazilian bar) before moving on to their chosen dance spot, live music venue, or street party.

Food and Drink

In the botequins’ patrons enjoy an informal vibe as they share frosty beers and munch on hot (mostly fried) finger food known as salgados. The most popular options include pasteis (pastry pockets filled with cheese, shrimp, or meat), bolinhos (croquettes), and torresmo (pork crackling). Pavão Azul in Copacabana is a great starting point for your night out. Hordes of friendly locals crowd the bar, sharing huge bottles of beer while enjoying the excellent pataniscas de bacalhau (Portuguese salt cod fritters).

Enjoyed by cariocas and visitors alike, the caipirinha (a cocktail made from sugar cane spirit mixed with lime and sugar) is a fantastic choice to kick off the evening’s fun. For those looking to savor various blends of Brazil’s national cocktail, Academia da Cachaça in Leblon specializes in cachaça, offering over 300 varieties that can be enjoyed straight or mixed into a refreshing caipirinha.

Dance Culture

Rio has a vibrant dance culture that has thrived for hundreds of years. Samba, the city’s hallmark, originated during the slave era, developed in the late 19th century, and continues to pulsate through Brazil today. For an authentic experience of this passionate music and dance, one should visit Trapiche Gamboa near Praça Mauá on weekends. During the week, Carioca de Gema in Lapa is a reliable spot to dance the night away to live samba bands.

Forro, samba’s lesser-known relative from northeastern Brazil, features more rigid movements that are equally addictive once mastered. Non-stop live forro performances occur on weekends at the Feira Nordestina. For an upscale forro experience, attend a forro night at Leviano Bar, near the Lapa Arches.

Street Parties

Cariocas make the most of their city’s warm climate by holding regular outdoor gatherings. In the south zone, Baixo Gávea hosts an informal street party on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, attracting hundreds of 18-35-year-olds looking to start their evenings. The atmosphere is laid-back and bohemian, leading partygoers to nearby bars and restaurants as the night progresses.

Another lively option is Praça São Salvador, which draws crowds Thursdays to Sundays. This once-tranquil square in Laranjeiras fills with free entertainment including live bands, jugglers, pop-up theater shows, and skateboarders. Visitors can enjoy an entire night under the stars while making new friends and sampling cheap drinks from street vendors.

Bar Hopping

Lapa is the most popular area for bar hopping in Rio de Janeiro. Originally an artistic neighborhood, it has transformed into a vibrant nightlife hub post-sunset. Numerous bars are within a few blocks of the Lapa Arches, many boasting an authentic, gritty edge that enhances their charm. A local favorite is the ancient hole-in-the-wall Casa da Cachaça, where you can choose from over a hundred different flavored cachaça shots. For a more upscale experience, Rio Scenarium is highly popular.

Botafogo is another area making waves in the Rio bar scene. Located conveniently near popular beach neighborhoods of Zona Sul, Botafogo has seen a rise in quirky bars and artisanal beer specialists since the Olympics. Comuna combines excellent cocktails and burgers with live DJ sets, making it a trendy multipurpose venue. Nearby, Rua Voluntarias da Pátria and Rua Nelson Mandela are lined with lively bars catering to a mix of students and hipsters.

Live Music

Music is an essential part of everyday life in Rio de Janeiro, and nightlife certainly reflects this. Cafe Sacrilegio in Lapa offers a perfect atmosphere for enjoying traditional Brazilian music, be it samba, bossa nova, or pagode. The bar draws local crowds and plays classics that get everyone dancing and singing along.

Fundicão Progresso in Lapa serves as a dynamic cultural center and an excellent spot for a unique view of Lapa’s arches. During the day, the venue buzzes with activity in dance studios and an on-site coffee shop, transforming at night into a lively music destination featuring renowned Brazilian artists like Monobloco, Jorge Ben Jor, and Naçã Zumbi.

This article was originally written in April 2015 and updated in August 2018 by Tom Le Mesurier.