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Odeon BR
Rio de Janeiro's landmark cinema is a remnant of the once flourishing movie-house scene that gave rise to the name Cinelândia. The restored 1920s film palace shows independent films, documentaries and foreign films, and hosts the gala for prominent film festivals. It also hosts worthwhile monthly events like movie marathons ( to ) on the first Friday of the month. Next door, Ateliê Odeon opens around weekend screenings.
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Palaphita Kitch
A great spot for a sundowner, Palaphita Kitch is an open-air, thatched-roof wonderland with rustic bamboo furniture, flickering tiki torches, and a peaceful setting on the edge of the lake. This is a popular spot with couples, who come for the creative (and pricey) cocktails and the fine views.
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Parque das Ruinas
This scenic park overlooking downtown has live jazz concerts throughout the year. Music ranges from jazz to regional Brazilian. Schedules change regularly, but there are often events on Sunday afternoon.
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Pista 3
Brought to you by the same owners of nearby Casa de Matriz, Pista 3 is another good dance spot, with notable DJs spinning a wide mix of rock, electronica and funk. It has two floors, one for dancing, one for lounging (complete with pool table, and area for drinking and snacking).
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Pizzaria Guanabara
One of the pillars of Baixo Leblon, this popular drinking spot serves lousy pizza - but that hasn't stopped patrons from packing this place at all hours of the night. Expect simple ambience and a young, flirtatious, beer-drinking crowd.
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Praia Vermelha
Perched over the beach of the same name, Praia Vermelha has gorgeous views of Pão de Açúcar looming overhead. By night, jazzy MPB bands play from onward, making for an enviable open-air setting. The food, unfortunately, is less spectacular. Steer clear of the limp pizzas and stick to beer and cocktails.
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Rio Scenarium
One of the city's loveliest nightspots, Rio Scenarium has three floors, each lavishly decorated with antiques. Balconies overlook the stage on the 1st floor, with dancers keeping time to the jazz-infused samba, choro or pagode filling the air. Rio Scenarium has had much press outside of Brazil, and today it has a local-to-foreigner ratio of 50:50.
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Roxy
Copacabana's only cinema is a good retreat when the weather sours. On three screens, the Roxy shows the usual films on wide release.
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Sacadura
A new addition to Rio's nightlife, Sacadura is located a few doors down from Trapiche Gamboa in an otherwise fairly deserted stretch of Gamboa. It offers a mix of MPB, samba-rock and jazz in a big open venue with exposed masonry and dim lighting. Despite the loud rock pounding from onstage, the crowd was fairly staid when last we stopped by. It's located north of Centro - take a taxi.
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Sacrilégio
Next door to Carioca da Gema, Sacrilégio is another major spot for catching live bands in an intimate setting. The outdoor garden makes a fine spot for imbibing a few cold chopes while the music filters through the windows. In addition to samba, Sacrilégio hosts choro, forró and MPB bands.
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Sala Cecília Meireles
Lapa's splendid early-20th-century gem hosts orchestral concerts throughout the year. Lately, the repertoire has included contemporary groups, playing both choro (romantic, intimate samba) and classical music. Concerts start at .
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Saturnino
Another newcomer to the scene, Saturnino was quick to become a neighborhood favorite. In a large room with high ceilings and touches of tropical décor, the stylish 20-something crowd mingles over chope and fruity cocktails (that could use a touch more alcohol). The open-sided patio in front is a particularly fine vantage point for people-watching.
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Semente
One of the few places in Lapa that holds court on Sunday and Monday nights, Semente has longevity. Although the place has closed and reopened a few times, Semente was one of the first places in Lapa to bring samba back to the city. Its current incarnation is small and intimate, with good bands and a crowd that comes for the music rather than all the Lapa mayhem (hence, the place is closed Friday and Saturday nights).
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Severyna
At night this broad, simple dining hall (c 1950) forms the backdrop to northeastern rhythms. Large percussive groups perform xote (a 2/4 dance style derived from the polka) , and chorinho, among other styles, to a sometimes-packed house. Shows begin at .
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Shenanigan's
Overlooking the Praça General Osorio, Shenanigan's is a fairly recent addition to Ipanema's growing pub scene. And it's no small success: through the smoke hanging overhead, the beautiful wait staff shuttles between tables packed full of Cariocas and sunburnt gringos. The exposed brick walls, pool table and mix of spoken languages all contribute to the dark and pubby ambience Shenanigan's aims for.
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Sindicato do Chopp
A Copacabana institution, this open-air bar looks out on the wide avenue, with the beach in the background. Owing to its breezy location, it attracts a wide mix of people, all playing a part in Copa's inimitable street theater. The food isn't so hot here, but the beers are icy cold and the ocean is, well, right there. A second Sindicato do Chopp, on Av Atlântica 514 in Leme, also overlooks the beach.
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Sky Lounge
This beautifully designed lounge is a stylish but informal place for a drink, with a glass rooftop lending an open feel to the place. DJs spin house and techno to a young Zona Sul crowd. The open-air patio is a particularly enticing in the moonlight.
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Skylab Bar
It's all about the view at this bar in the Rio Othon Palace. From 30 floors up, the coastline unfolds, allowing a glimpse of the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City) at its most panoramic. The perfect sight to see over the rim of a caipirinha (drink made with sugarcane liquor).
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Taberna do Juca
A staple of Lapa's hard-drinking scene, this classic-looking spot attracts a diverse bunch - old artists, shop owners, musicians, prostitutes and the odd ones you can't pin down - and the crowd tends to get more colorful as the night progresses.
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Teatro Carlos Gomes
Facing the Praça Tiradentes, the large Teatro Gomes stages avant-garde dance shows and experimental theater. The theater seats 600; tickets for events here can be purchased through Ticketronics.
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Teatro do Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
In addition to its exhibitions, this large cultural center in downtown Rio has two stages and a cinema. Film, dance and musical events are often coordinated with current exhibits.
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Teatro do Leblon
This nicely located theater shows a mix of drama, cutting-edge and children's performances on three different stages. In the same complex is a bookstore, cafés and a range of eating/drinking spots.
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Teatro Laura Alvim
Across from the beach in Ipanema, this small center stages plays and hosts classical and other live-music styles. It also has art openings, a cinema and an enticing atrium café.
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Teatro Leblon
Leblon's popular theater has two screens showing the latest Hollywood releases.
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Teatro Nelson Rodrigues
Inside the wildly modernist 1970s-era Caixa Cultural complex, you'll find one of Brazil's best stages for dance and theater. Also onsite are several art galleries, a lunchtime bistro, gardens and a koi pond.
