8 Best Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Academia da Cachaça

Leblon Fodor's choice

Not merely the place in Rio to try caipirinhas (made here with a variety of tropical fruits), Academia da Cachaça is a veritable temple to cachaça. The small bar sells close to 100 brands of cachaça by the glass or bottle, as well as mixing the famous sugarcane rum into dangerously drinkable concoctions such as the cocada geladinha—frozen coconut, coconut water, brown sugar, and cachaça. The Northeastern bar snacks here include sun-dried beef, baked palm hearts, and delicious black-bean soup. There's now an affiliate in Barra da Tijuca, but it's hard to beat the Leblon original.

Bar do Gomez

Santa Teresa Fodor's choice

Officially Armazem São Thiago, this neighborhood institution is universally referred to by its nickname, Bar do Gomez, in honor of the late owner whose family has run the business for close to 100 years. Pictures documenting the bar's history adorn the high wooden walls, and surveying the scene in the present, you get the pleasant impression that little has changed over the years. The draft beer flows like water, locals swap stories at the long wooden bar, and new friendships are forged at the outdoor drinking posts. Favorites among the bar snacks include the giant olives, a pastrami sandwich, and the shrimp plate. Early on a Friday night, this is a good place to strike up a conversation with locals before heading down the hill to Lapa.

Pedra do Sal

São Cristóvão Fodor's choice
For one of the most authentic samba experiences in town, head to Monday night's live roda de samba in Pedra do Sal. Located in a residential pocket in the docklands neighborhood of Saúde, crowds of samba-loving locals gather round a central circle of musicians who jam late into the night. The story goes that this spot marks the birthplace of samba in Rio de Janiero and there is a really tangible sense of living heritage here. Although the vibe is welcoming and friendly and crime minimal, go without valuables and little in your pockets so you can relax into the experience. Ice-cold beers and caipirinhas can be bought from surrounding bars and vendors. During summer months, this also takes place on Fridays and is a great spot to kick off a night out, with crowds gathering from around 8 pm. The roda is cancelled in the event of rain.
Free Fodor's Choice
R. Argemiro Bulcão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20081-040, Brazil

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Assis Garrafaria

Cosme Velho
Just a few minutes’ stroll from the station for the funicular railway that whisks tourists up to the Christ statue, this welcoming bar prides itself on its enormous selection of quality beers. In a building once occupied by the late fiction writer Machado do Assis—a giant of Brazilian literature—the walls of the lounge are occupied by well-stocked bookshelves. Staff are hugely knowledgeable about drink pairings and beer, and can help you choose from the list of almost 200 bottles, which includes many imported Belgian beers. There's now a branch in Copacabana, but the original impresses with its literary heritage.
Free Family
Rua Cosme Velho 174, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22241-090, Brazil
21-2205--3598

Bracarense

Leblon

A trip to Bracarense after a hard day on the beach is what Rio is all about. Crowds spill onto the streets while parked cars double as chairs and the sandy masses gather at sunset for ice-cold chopp and some of Leblon's best pork sandwiches, codfish balls, and empadas.

Free
Rua José Linhares 85, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22430–220, Brazil
21-2294–3549

Cobal do Humaitá

Humaitá

Occupying a vast outdoor space under the gaze of Christ the Redeemer, this collection of bars, restaurant, and shops throngs with people after dark, when the air is filled with the tipsy chatter of locals relaxing over dinner and drinks.

Free Family
Rua Voluntarios Da Patria 446, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22270–010, Brazil
No phone

Garota de Ipanema

Ipanema

This is the original Garota (there are branches all over the city), where Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes penned the timeless song "The Girl from Ipanema." The place serves decent food and drink, but it's the historical significance that draws the crowds. Occasional live-music events take place in the upstairs lounge.

Free
Rua Vinicius de Moraes 49, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22411–010, Brazil
21-2523–3787

Jobi Bar

Leblon

Authentically carioca and a fine place to experience Rio spirit, the bar at down-to-earth Jobi stays open on weekends until the last customer leaves. Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior—Jobi serves some of Rio's most delicious bar snacks and is one of the best-loved bars in the Zona Sul.