Samba Entertainment Nightlife
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A
Trapiche Gamboa
Another 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 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. It's best reached by taxi (R$25 or so from the Zona Sul).
reviewed
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B
Teatro Odisséia
This spacious three-story Lapa club features live music shows and DJs, with a relaxed area upstairs if you need a break from the sounds. There's also a terrace with views of the Lapa arches. You'll find plenty of samba, and MPB and rock make an occasional appearance at the club.
reviewed
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C
Mas Será O Benedito
This beautifully restored space (occupying a 19th-century mansion) opened in 2009 and immediately attracted a following. There's a restaurant on the ground floor, two pool tables on the 2nd floor and a concert space with live samba on the 3rd floor, where bands play nightly.
reviewed
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D
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.
reviewed
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E
Estudantina Musical
This old dance hall packs large, older crowds on the weekend, there to enjoy the excellent samba bands. Occasional big-name artists perform here (like Maria Bethânia in 2010). The open-air veranda provides a nice spot to cool off if you've danced yourself into a sweat.
reviewed
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F
Bar da Ladeira
Just around the corner from the Arcos da Lapa, this early 1900s house throws down a fair bit of live samba. The large space has a small dance floor, a pool table, and plenty of little nooks and crannies. The samba bands get going around 10pm.
reviewed
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G
Estrela da Lapa
On Lapa's liveliest street, this multilevel space has an eclectic music scene and hosts bands playing choro, blues and hip-hop. Shows begin at 10pm, followed by a DJ (Thursday to Saturday) who keeps the dance floor going until late.
reviewed
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H
Mistura Carioca
A classic but less popular samba club in Lapa, Mistura Carioca has two levels, with the band playing on the 1st floor, and a quiet upper level, where you can look down on the scene below. Big glass chandeliers add to the old-time charm.
reviewed
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I
Lapa 40 Graus
This impressive multistory music venue and pool hall has tables for lounging on the 1st floor, over a dozen pool tables on the 2nd floor, and a small stage and dancing couples on the top floor. Pop, rock, samba and choro kick off nightly around 7pm and 11pm (admission to shows is R$5 to R$30).
reviewed
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J
Democráticus
Murals line the foyer of this 1867 mansion. The rhythms filter down from above. Follow the sound up the marble staircase and out into a large hall filled with tables, an enormous dance floor and a long stage covered with musicians. A wide mix of Cariocas gathers here to dance, revel in the music and soak up the splendor of the samba-infused setting. If you come to just one gafieira in Lapa, Democráticus is a good choice.
reviewed
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K
Semente
One of the few venues in Lapa that holds court on Sunday and Monday nights, Semente has longevity. Although it has closed and reopened a few times, it 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 the Lapa mayhem (note that it's closed Friday night).
reviewed