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00 (Zero Zero)
Housed in Gávea's planetarium, 00 is a restaurant by day, sleek lounge by night. A mix of Cariocas joins the fray here, though they mostly tend to be a fashion-literate, Zona Sul crowd. Playground, 00's Sunday party, has quite a following among house fans - gay and straight. In addition to rotating parties, the club also hosts CD-release parties.
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Academia da Cachaça
Although cachaça (cane liquor) has a bad reputation in some parts, here the fiery liquor is given a respect it nearly deserves. Along with tasty, inexpensive meals, this pleasant indoor-outdoor spot serves dozens of varieties of cachaça, and you can order it straight, with honey and lime, or disguised in a fruity caipirinha. For a treat (and/or a bad hangover), try the passion-fruit batida ( cachaça and passion-fruit juice).
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Adega Flor de Coimbra
In the same building that was once the home of Brazilian painter Cândido Portinari, the Adega Flor de Coimbra has been a bohemian haunt since it opened in 1938. Back in its early days, leftists, artists and intellectuals drank copiously at the slim, old bar looking out on Lapa. Today, it draws a mix of similar types, who drink wine and sangria with Adega's tasty bolinhos de bacalhau (codfish croquettes) or feijoada .
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Amarelinho
Easy to spot by its bright amarelo (yellow) awning, Amarelinho has a splendid setting on the Praça Floriano. Yellow-vested waiters serve plenty of chope here, wandering among the crowded tables, with the Teatro Municipal in the background. Amarelinho is a popular lunch spot but packs even bigger crowds for that oh-so-refreshing after-work brew.
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Antonio's
This new spot in Lapa has lots of old-school charm with its hanging lamps, wrought-iron trimwork and simple wooden tables (with a few seats on the sidewalk for taking in the street scene). Plenty of other drinking spots are nearby, if you feel like wandering.
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Armazém São Thiago
Part grocer, part bar, this hole-in-the-wall drinking establishment features a few stand-up tables and a counter. It doesn't look like much, and the neighborhood regulars would probably say it isn't - between sips of their beers - which is part of its charm. The crowds pack this place on weekends, with revelers spilling onto the sidewalks.
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Asa Branca
Near the Arcos da Lapa, Asa Branca attracts lovers of forró to its large, smoky dance floor. Recently renovated, this is one of the mainstays of Lapa, with a slightly older crowd packing in on weekends. In addition to some of the best forró in the city, the club also hosts samba and MPB.
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Bar Bofetada
Bar Bofetada is frequented by gay guys enjoying a beer after the beach, and is a good place to watch the boys catwalking up and down Rua Farme de Amoedo.
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Bar d'Hotel
The waves crashing on the shore are just part of the background of this texture-rich bar overlooking Ipanema beach. The narrow bar is like a magnet for the style set, who gather in the intimate space to enjoy tropical drinks to the backdrop of sea and ambient electronic music.
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Bar do Mineiro
Famous for its Minas Gerais cuisine, Bar do Mineiro is one of Santa Teresa's most traditional botecos - and an excellent place for a drink while catching up on the local gossip.
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Bar do Serafim
On a lively stretch of Rua Alice, the Bar do Serafim is a small, simple, convivial boteco serving tasty Portuguese appetizers and plenty of chope . It's been around since 1944 and remains an institution (and popular happy-hour spot) among neighborhood regulars.
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Bar Lagoa
With a view of the lake, Bar Lagoa is one of the neighborhood's classic haunts. Founded in 1935, this open-air spot hasn't changed much since - the bar still has surly waiters serving excellent beer to ever-crowded tables and in spite of its years, a youthful air still pervades the old bar.
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Bar Luiz
Well over 100 years old, this saloon and dining spot serves some of the city's best brew.
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Bar Urca
This simple neighborhood bar and restaurant has a marvelous setting near Urca's bayside waterfront. At night, young and old crowd along the seaside wall as waiters bring cold drinks and appetizers.
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Baronneti
One of Ipanema's only nightclubs, Baronneti has a sleek and trim interior with a choice of two dance floors. Given its prime Zona Sul location, you'll find a young, well-heeled crowd here. Eclectic DJs and fruity cocktails keep the fans returning again and again.
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Bombar
Bombar is a popular Leblon nightclub that attracts a festive, neighborhood crowd to fill the upstairs dance floor. Downstairs is a bar for mingling among a mostly Zona Sul crowd.
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Boteco Casual
Hidden in a narrow lane leading off Praça Quinze de Novembro, Boteco Casual is one of several charming open-air bars on the colonial Travessa do Comércio. The scenic lane is a popular meeting spot and a festive air arrives at workday's end as Cariocas fill the tables spilling onto the street.
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Boteco do Gomes
A fairly new addition to Lapa, the Boteco do Gomes has the classical look of an old-time bar with brick walls, art-deco light fixtures, and tile floors. Patrons are a mix of musicians, students and Lapa hangabouts, who gather for a quick drink at stand-up tables in front or at the roomier tables in back.
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Botequim
Another of Botafogo's great neighborhood bars, Botequim is an old-school, down-at-the-heels watering hole serving a friendly crowd. The menu has plenty of appetizers and more substantial dishes if you need something to accompany those chopes .
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Bracarense
Opened in 1948, Bracarense is a classic Carioca watering hole, famous for its simple, unpretentious ambience and its heavenly salgados (bar snacks). A steady stream of neighborhood regulars enjoys over 20 varieties of the snacks (try the aipim com camarão - cassava with shrimp) to the accompaniment of icy-cold chope .
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Braseiro da Gávea
In an area more commonly referred to as Baixo Gávea, Braseiro da Gávea is one of several bars in the area responsible for the local residents' chronic lack of sleep. A mixed crowd celebrates here most nights, with patrons spilling onto the facing Praça Santos Dumont.
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Bunker
Featuring big parties throughout the week, Bunker is one of Copacabana's big draws. Its three rooms have different music and you'll find an eclectic mix of Cariocas and tourists against the backdrop of hip-hop, acid jazz, rock, trance and deep house - among other selections. Weekends get crowded - come early and stake out a spot before the masses converge (around ).
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Buraco da Lacraia
This wicked place has entertained for over 12 years. You'll find glamorous and trashy visitors, bizarre drag shows, karaoke, a dark room and other attractions.
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Café Neves
Small but charming, Café Neves is one of Santa Teresa's gems. It faces out onto Largo das Neves, with the occasional tram rattling by in the early evening. The open-sided bar draws a vibrant mix as the weekend nears.
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Caroline Café
A mix of couples and groups of friends out for the night (pre- or post-clubs) fills Caroline Café most nights of the week. The sexy young crowd milling around the tables inside and out makes this place a bit sceney at times.
