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Teatro Odisséia
This newly opened three-story Lapa club features live music shows and DJs, with a relaxed area upstairs if you need a break from the sounds. You'll find plenty of samba, and MPB and rock make an occasional appearance at the club.
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Teatro Rival Petrobras
Near Praça Floriano, this 450-seat hall has become a popular spot for some of the city's up-and-coming groups as well as veteran musicians. Four or five nights a week, Teatro Rival hosts MPB, pagode, samba, chorinho and forró groups. Tickets for events here can be purchased through Ticketronics.
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Theatro Municipal
This gorgeous art-nouveau theater provides the setting for Rio's best opera, ballet and symphonic concerts. Tickets are available at the box office or at Ticketronics. The theater seats 2400, and sight lines are generally quite good.
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Tô Nem Aí
On one of Ipanema's livelier streets, this popular fairly new watering hole attracts a fun, very mixed crowd to its indoor and outdoor tables. Caipirinhas and chope are the drinks of choice, and there are excellent appetizers and light fare on hand.
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Trapiche Gamboa
Easily one of the city's most charming spots to hear live samba, Trapiche Gamboa opened in 2004 in a multistory colonial edifice in Gamboa and has tile floors, a friendly mixed crowd, and decent appetizers. It's a casual affair, with samba musicians gathering around a table on the ground floor, and dancers spilling out in front of them. Grab a seat on one of the upper floors for prime viewing of the action below.
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Tumbao de Malevo
High up above the street, this casual, open-air café attracts an eclectic neighborhood crowd and serves as the backdrop to rotating art exhibitions and the occasional live samba show or experimental theater event. In addition to beer and cocktails, Tumbao serves sandwiches and other light bites.
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UCI - New York City Center
Brazil's largest megaplex features 18 different screening rooms complete with large, comfortable chairs and stadium seating. Films are screened constantly (every 10 minutes on weekends).
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Vinícius Piano Bar
Billing itself as the 'temple of bossa nova,' Vinícius Piano Bar has been an icon in the neighborhood since 1989. The indoor- outdoor tables make a fine setting to listen to decent bossa nova - although it's mostly tourists filling those seats since bossa nova isn't very popular anymore among Cariocas.
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