Rio de Janeiro Shopping

  1. Arlequin

    Set inside the Paço Imperial, Arlequin is a pleasant place to browse for CDs, records and used books (in Portuguese) while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

    Read more about Arlequin

  2. Berinjela

    This is a favorite among music insiders for finding that old record or classic samba CD. Though not huge, the selection of used albums is decent, and the staff is friendly and helpful. It's hidden in a small shopping center, down a spiral ramp and just past Leonardo da Vinci bookshop.

    Read more about Berinjela

  3. Bossa Nova & Companhia

    This new, well-lit music shop is a nice addition to the neighborhood, with a fine assortment of Bossa, choro and samba CDs and LPs as well as coffee-table books, sheet music and biographies of top Brazilian composers.

    Read more about Bossa Nova & Companhia

  4. Casa Oliveira

    One of several excellent music shops on Rua da Carioca, Casa Oliveira sells all the pieces that make up the rhythm section of Carnaval baterias (percussion sections). If forró (traditional, fast-paced music from the northeast) is more your speed, you can also purchase a variety of mandolins as well as accordions and electric guitars.

    Read more about Casa Oliveira

  5. Empório Musicale

    This is an LP-lover's dream. You'll find bins and bins of old records covering the full spectrum of Brazilian music. You can unearth some gems of classic samba, Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) and funk. CD users have less to celebrate, with a rather paltry selection.

    Read more about Empório Musicale

  7. Maracatu Brasil

    You can't miss the lime-green building that houses this small percussion store and workshop. Inside, you can buy an afoxê (a gourd shaker with beads strung around it), conga and bongo drums, tambourines and other Brazilian percussion instruments. Upstairs is a drum clinic, where you can study a number of styles with local musician-teachers; see for more details.

    Read more about Maracatu Brasil

  8. Modern Sound

    One of Brazil's largest music stores, Modern Sound makes a fine setting for browsing through the many shelves of samba, electronica, hip-hop, imports, classical and dozens of other well-represented categories. The café in the store features live concerts daily.

    Read more about Modern Sound

  9. Musicale

    Musicale has a small but decent selection of used and new CDs. In keeping with the neighborhood that surrounds the store, a diverse bunch shops here - club kids, old samba softies, expats trapped in the '80s - which is reflected in the range of albums for sale. Musicale also buys and trades CDs. There is another branch, that also has a cafe on site, in Ipanema (2540 5237; Rua Visconde de Pirajá 483, Ipanema).

    Read more about Musicale

  10. Plano B

    Only in Lapa will you encounter a place where you can pick through bins of old jazz records and new electronic mixes before stepping into the back room to get a tattoo down your arm, inspired perhaps by that old Elza Soares song playing overhead. Plano B also has a decent selection of CDs, and the young staff can advise - if samba-funk eludes you.

    Read more about Plano B

  11. Advertisement