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Sugarloaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro

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Rio de Janeiro Nightlife

Brazilians know how to party and the Cariocas (Rio's residents) are no exception. Whether it is a post-soccer beer at a beach kiosk, an evening's entertainment at a live music venue or a cocktail at one of the growing number of chic bars and clubs, a night out in Rio is to be savoured and enjoyed.

All areas have popular bars and clubs but the beach communities of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are particularly good for a night out. Club entry fees often include a card, onto which drink consumption is recorded - a minimum purchase is usually required. It is essential to keep hold of this card or face a forfeit charge, which can be much more than the average drinker could possibly consume.

Rio is also a highly cultured city. The young and curious population and rich ethnic mix has given shape to all forms of artistic expression, which is evident in the music, dance and lifestyle of the Cariocas, especially during carnival time. There are many cultural centres, art galleries and performance venues in Rio, hosting an ever-changing series of events.

Veja (http://vejabrasil.abril.com.br/rio-de-janeiro) provides excellent online entertainment listings, in Portuguese only. Cultural listings can be found in the Rio Show magazine, published in the Friday edition of the O Globo newspaper (www.globo.com). Tickets are available from the venue box offices and, for some events, through Ticketmaster (tel: (11) 6846 6000; www.ticketmaster.com.br).

Bars in Rio de Janeiro

Bar do Gomez (Armazém São Thiago)

Hidden in the cobbled streets of Santa Teresa, Bar do Gomez is a time capsule. Founded in 1919, it’s one of the oldest bars in Rio de Janeiro and is considered one of the city’s finest botequos (neighbourhood bar). Bar do Gomez inherited its name from a beloved waiter who spent his entire life serving chilled chopps (draft beer) and tasty almondegas (meatballs, a house favourite). Gomez stills visits the bar daily.

Rua Áurea 26, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2232 0822.

Empório

A famous meeting point for rock and alternative music lovers, Empório attracts an international crowd, due to its location in the heart of Ipanema and its edgy attitude; it is very popular among foreigners visiting Rio. Tattooed waiters, loud music and underground vibes are the key elements to this popular hangout.

Rua Maria Quitéria 37, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 3813 2526.

Jobi

Rio’s most famous bar, Jobi has long been a favourite with 30-something Cariocas (Rio’s residents). Lively, chilled, vibrant and reasonably cheap, Jobi is perfect for a quick beer during the week and to mix and match with the Leblon crowd. It really lights up at weekends and is definitely worth a visit.

Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva 1166, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2274 0547.

Clubs in Rio de Janeiro

00

Surrounded by beautiful gardens and modern architecture, this outdoor, chilled-out lounge is where the good-looking people of Rio go partying. Next door to the Planetarium, in one of Rio’s most sophisticated areas, Gávea, this club perfectly mixes gourmet contemporary cuisine with the latest electronic tunes.

Avenida Padre Leonel Franca 240, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2540 8041.
Website: www.00site.com.br

Pista 3

Rio’s most alternative club, Pista 3 is where young Cariocas (Rio residents) go when they want to go wild. An old two-floor house converted into a club, it plays punk, techno or alternative tunes. Best during the week, from Monday to Thursday.

Rua São João Batista 14, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2226 9691.
Website: http://beta.matrizonline.com.br

The Week

Big and bold, The Week offers a sophisticated ambience and the city’s finest tech-house music. Famous for its gay scene and its weekly ‘Cosmopolitan Party’, hosted on Saturdays, it is the perfect place to dance the night away.

Rua Sacadura Cabral 154, Saúde, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2253 1020.
Website: www.theweek.com.br

Live Music in Rio de Janeiro

Circo Voador

Bang on in the heart of Lapa, Rio’s bohemian district, Circo Voador is one of the city’s finest live music venues. A big tent, resembling a flying saucer, is where Brazil’s most famous musicians come to perform. During the day the space is used for several cultural activities. Keep a close eye on the calendar of events.

Rua dos Arcos, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2533 0354.
Website: www.circovoador.com.br

Rio Scenarium

One of Rio’s greatest samba venues, Rio Scenarium was shortlisted by The Guardian newspaper as one of the world’s Top 10 bars. This unusual samba club is housed in an historical building dating back to 1866. The entire walls, floors and ceilings are scattered with valuable antiques and movie props - three floors of selected junk will entertain you for hours, even after the music stops.

Rua do Lavradio 20, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 3147 9005.
Website: www.rioscenarium.com.br

Teatro Odissea

Dark and dingy, Teatro Odissea is a cult venue in Rio de Janeiro for alternative Brazilian bands. It offers a wild and funny journey into the underground Cariocas scene, often hosting funk and fusion parties. Simply Lapa in a nutshell.

Rua Mem de Sá 66, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2224 6367.
Website: www.teatroodisseia.com.br

Culture in Rio de Janeiro

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB)

Built in 1880, Rio de Janeiro’s Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil is one of the city's prime venues for music, plays, exhibitions and films. The beautiful architecture and the rich cultural agenda have turned CCBB into a reference point not only in Rio but in Brazil at large. Keep a close eye on the monthly calendar, definitely worth a visit.

Rua Primeiro de Março 66, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 3808 2020.
Website: www.bb.com.br/cultura

Centro Cultural Carioca

Located in one of the most beautiful corners of the old centre of Rio, facing the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, Centro Cultural Carioca is an eclectic space, perfect for dance lessons. Charming music venue at night and dance school during the day, it offers classes of samba and forró not to be missed to take full advantage of Rio’s nightlife scene.

Rua do Teatro 37, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2252 6468.
Website: www.centroculturalcarioca.com.br

Teatro João Caetano

Opened in 1813 by Dom João VI, the then King of Portugal and Brazil, Teatro João Caetano remains one of the most respected theatre stages in the country. Quite versatile, it hosts operas, tragedies, concerts, comedies and music shows. Artists of the calibre of Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse have acted there.

Praça Tiradentes, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2332 9257.
Website: www.funarj.rj.gov.br

Theatro Municipal

The Theatro Municipal is one of the most beautiful and important theatres in Brazil. It stages both contemporary and classic fare, and recent renovations have restored its original glam. The theatre has its own orchestra, chorus and ballet. A drink in the Assyrian bar is highly recommended.

Praça Marechal Floriano, Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Tel: (21) 2332 9191.
Website: www.theatromunicipal.rj.gov.br

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