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Nightlife
Brazilians know how to party and the Cariocas 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 trendy bars and clubs, a night out in Rio is to be savoured and enjoyed.
Beer seems to be served at all hours of the day and locals can often be seen enjoying a drink with friends at the corner bars that open out onto the streets in all parts of the city. Many bars and pubs have happy hours for people returning from work or the beach and most serve snacks and light meals. But the real action does not really start until around 2300, when the clubs open their doors for music and dancing and stay open until around 0400. Club entry fees cost around R$10 and cards are provided, onto which drink consumption is recorded – a minimum purchase of R$10 upwards is usually required. It is essential to keep hold of this card or face a forfeit charge, which can be as high as R$300 – much more than the average drinker could possibly consume. Beers are approximately R$5, while spirits or cocktails cost upwards of R$6. The minimum legal drinking age in Brazil is 18 years.
All areas have popular bars and clubs but the beach communities of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are particularly good for a night out. Although clubs do not usually operate formal dress codes, Cariocas tend to dress up after dark and it is best to follow suit. Some venues refuse entry to people wearing shorts and T-shirts.
The O Globo (website: http://oglobo.globo.com) newspaper publishes Rio Show, an excellent entertainment listings magazine on Friday. Good information and discounts for clubbing and nightlife in Rio also can be found online (website: www.caindonanoite.com).
Bars: Outdoor drinking can be enjoyed at the kiosks that line the beach promenades or around the Lagoa. For more of an indoor experience, try Bar Luiz, Rua da Carioca 39, Centro, one of the oldest bars in Rio and now popular with the business crowd. Clipper, Rua Carlos Góes 263, and Jobi, Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva 1166, are both popular bars in Leblon, where drinkers spill out onto the sidewalk. Devotees of the Girl From Ipanema song will want to visit Garota de Ipanema, Rua Vinicius de Moraes 49, Ipanema, where the composition was conceived. The sophisticated atmosphere of Melt, Rua Rita Ludolf 47, Leblon, attracts a young and trendy crowd for imported beer and cocktails, with a lounge club upstairs, open from 2300. Those hankering for a pint of ale should visit the Lord Jim Pub, Rua Paul Redfern 63, Ipanema.
Casinos: Gambling is illegal in Brazil.
Clubs: The club scene has really taken off in Rio over the last few years, with a number of venues banging out the very best in Brazilian and international dance music. Most clubs are open Wednesday to Saturday from 2200 onwards. Bunker 94, Rua Paul Pompéia 94, Copacabana, Casa da Matriz, Rua Henrique de Novais 107, Botafogo, and Six Electron, Rua das Marrecas 38, Lapa, are current favourites on the scene. Studio 54, Avenida das Américas 5000, Barra da Tijuca, is a techno club based on the famous 1970s New York nightclub. Help, Avenida Atlântica 3432, Copacabana, is a huge disco that is popular with the singles crowd.
Live music: Rio has a wide choice when it comes to live music. Samba, bossa nova, chorinho, rock, MBP (Brazilian pop), classical, blues and jazz can all be enjoyed nightly. An elaborate Carnival-style samba show can be seen at Platforma 1, Rua Adalberto Ferreira 32, Leblon, daily from 2200. Favourites for bossa nova include Bar Ouvidor, Rua do Ouvidor 43, Centro, on Tuesday and Wedneday evenings, as well as Vinicius, Rua Vinicius de Moraes 39, Ipanema, daily from 2300 – in the bar and road named after Vinicius de Moraes of Girl from Ipanema fame, who penned many of his songs here with Tom Jobim. Another bossa nova hotspot is Thursday to Sunday from 2230 at Bar do Tom, Rua Adalberto Ferreira 32, Leblon, named after bossa nova pioneer Tom Jobim. Esch Café, Rua do Rosario 107, Centro, and Rua Dias Ferreira 78, Leblon, holds regular jazz evenings. Reputedly the best jazz in Rio can be heard every Thursday 1930–2115 at the open-air venue of Parque das Ruinas, Rua Murtinho Nobre 169, Santa Teresa.
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