Must-see entertainment in Rio de Janeiro

  • Bip Bip

    Rio de Janeiro

    For years Bip Bip has been one of the city's favorite spots to catch a live roda de samba (informal samba played around a table), despite it being just a…

  • Blue Note Rio

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    In 2017 the famed NYC jazz club opened this Rio outpost (Blue Note's first venture into South America) in an entertainment complex on the edge of Lagoa…

  • Pedra do Sal

    Rio de Janeiro

    The Monday- and Friday-night street parties here are major draws for lovers of samba, whether they're Brazilian or foreign, rich or poor. The lively samba…

  • Clube Manouche

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    Downstairs from the main restaurant in Casa Camolese, Clube Manouche is an intimate music bar designed in the tradition of West Village clubs in New York…

  • Rio Scenarium

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    One of the city's most photogenic nightspots, Rio Scenarium has three floors, each lavishly decorated with antiques. Balconies overlook the stage on the…

  • TribOz

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Not for lazy ears, this avant-garde jazz house known to the sonic cognoscenti is unique in Rio for its serious approach to performances. Run by an…

  • Beco das Garrafas

    Rio de Janeiro

    Come to this club to connect to a small part of Brazilian history – and a big part of musical lore. It was on this lane where Tom Jobim and other…

  • Carioca da Gema

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Although it's now surrounded by other clubs, Carioca da Gema was one of Lapa's pioneers when it opened in 2000. This small, warmly lit club still attracts…

  • Maze Inn

    Flamengo & Around

    Also known as the 'Casa do Bob' after owner Bob Nadkarni, the once-a-month event here is well worth attending. It's set in the guesthouse of the same name…

  • Jockey Club Brasileiro

    Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa

    One of the country's loveliest racetracks, with a great view of the mountains and Corcovado, the Joquei Clube (Jockey Club) seats 35,000. It lies on the…

  • Renascença Clube

    Rio de Janeiro

    For an authentic slice of Rio, head to one of the massive open-air samba parties that happen several times a week in Andaraí. The setup is simple: a…

  • Beco do Rato

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    One of Lapa's classic bohemian spots, this tiny bar in a battered part of the neighborhood has excellent live groups playing to a samba-loving crowd. The…

  • Paiol 08

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This multilevel bar and live-music venue has an upstairs terrace with great views of the old aqueduct. The stage inside hosts an eclectic lineup of DJs,…

  • Clube dos Democráticos

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Murals line the foyer of this 1867 mansion and rhythms filter down from above. Follow the sound up the marble staircase and out to a large table-filled…

  • Favela Hype

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Santa Teresa's best-loved clothing shop transforms into a neighborhood party space with live music several times a week. Come on Friday (8pm) for samba…

  • Terra Brasilis

    Rio de Janeiro

    Just beside Praia Vermelha, Terra Brasilis has gorgeous views of Pão de Açúcar looming overhead. Jazzy Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) bands play from…

  • Trapiche Gamboa

    Rio de Janeiro

    A charming live-samba joint, Trapiche Gamboa is set in a multistory colonial edifice in Gamboa (just north of Centro) and has a friendly, mixed crowd and…

  • Circo Voador

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    In a curvilinear building behind the Arcos da Lapa, Circo Voador hosts big-name Brazilian and international artists. The acoustics here are excellent, and…

  • Sacrilégio

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    A short stroll past the Arcos da Lapa you'll find Sacrilégio, a key spot for catching live samba bands in an intimate setting. The garden makes a fine…

  • Cidade das Artes

    Rio de Janeiro

    Barra's grandest arts complex is an R$500-million venture that houses an 1800-seat concert hall, as well as theaters, a chamber music hall, a cinema and a…

  • Teatro Riachuelo

    Rio de Janeiro

    Opened in 2016, the beautifully designed Riachuelo hosts a high-quality repertoire of concerts and dance performances. Come for a show, but be sure to…

  • Lapa 40 Graus

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This impressive multistory music venue and pool hall has tables for lounging on the 1st floor, more than a dozen pool tables on the 2nd floor, and a small…

  • Fundição Progresso

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This former foundry hides one of Rio's top music and theater spaces. A diverse range of shows is staged here: big-name acts, such as Manu Chao and Caetano…

  • Teatro Odisséia

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    This spacious three-story club features live-music shows and DJs, with a relaxed area upstairs when you need a break from the sounds. There's also a…

  • Casa do Choro

    Rio de Janeiro

    An attractive concert venue inside a photogenic colonial building that stages live choro and other Brazilian sounds on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday …

  • Bottles Bar

    Rio de Janeiro

    Run by the same folks behind the Beco das Garrafas next door, Bottles is a shoebox-sized club that features a line-up of bossa nova and samba performers…

  • Mangueira

    Rio de Janeiro

    One of Rio's most famous samba schools, Mangueira has many followers all across the city. They come out en masse in their green and pink (Mangueira's…

  • Salgueiro

    Rio de Janeiro

    One of the best samba schools for foreigners to visit, Salgueiro hosts big Saturday-night parties from late August until Carnaval. Expect live music, ever…

  • Theatro Municipal

    Rio de Janeiro

    This gorgeous art nouveau theater provides the setting for Rio's best opera, ballet and symphonic concerts. The theater seats 2400, and sight lines are…

  • Severyna de Laranjeiras

    Flamengo & Around

    At night this broad, rustically decorated dining hall forms the backdrop to Brazilian rhythms, and there's a broad menu of Northeastern fare. Groups…

  • Ginga Tropical

    Ipanema & Leblon

    For a look at Brazil's rich folkloric dances, book a ticket to an evening performance of Ginga Tropical. Some 16 different dance styles are represented,…

  • Olho da Rua

    Rio de Janeiro

    This multifunctional space hosts a wide range of live music, theatrical performances, DJ sets and other cultural and community events such as art…

  • Teatro Rival Petrobras

    Rio de Janeiro

    Going strong since 1934, Teatro Rival stages Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), samba, chorinho (informal instrumental music) and forró (Northeast popular…

  • Cine Odeon

    Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro's landmark cinema is a remnant of the once flourishing movie-house scene that gave rise to the name Cinelândia. Following a restoration…

  • Vila Isabel

    Rio de Janeiro

    One of Rio's best-loved samba schools has won a few parade titles over the years. Vila Isabel is deeply connected to famed samba singer Martinho da Vila,…

  • Estação Net Rio

    Rio de Janeiro

    This two-screen cinema in Botafogo shows a range of films – Brazilian, foreign, independent and the occasional Hollywood offering. It has a cafe inside,…

  • Teatro Oi Futuro

    Flamengo & Around

    This hypermodern cultural center and gallery space also stages dance performances and concerts. The fare is generally non-mainstream. For upcoming shows,…

  • Estação Net Botafogo

    Rio de Janeiro

    Just around the corner from the metro, this three-screen theater shows a mix of Brazilian and foreign films. The small cafe on-site is a good place to…

  • Cine Joia

    Rio de Janeiro

    Hidden in the lower level of a shopping complex, this small, charming cinema screens a mix of Brazilian and independent fare, as well as the odd Hollywood…

  • Sala Cecília Meireles

    Santa Teresa & Lapa

    Lapa's splendidly restored early 20th-century gem hosts orchestral concerts throughout the year. Lately the repertoire has included contemporary groups,…

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