Must-see nightlife in Brazil
Flamengo & Around
On a bar-sprinkled stretch of Flamengo, this wooden, barn-like bar has outdoor seating on the raised veranda in front, and cooler (air-conditioned)…
Rio de Janeiro
With a vaguely professorial air, this wood-lined cafe and bookshop is best known for its cachaça (sugarcane alcohol) menu, which includes more than 100…
Rio de Janeiro
One of many open-air venues in the Cobal, Espírito do Chopp fills up its plastic tables most nights with a festive, low-key crowd. The beer flows in…
Ipanema & Leblon
Located on Rua Farme de Amoedo, Ipanema's most gay-friendly street, this popular bar is a great after-beach spot. It draws a mostly gay crowd, though all…
Rio de Janeiro
Hordes of young drinkers spill out onto the sidewalks around Alice Bar, merging with the crowds from nearby bars to make this one of the liveliest spots…
Ipanema & Leblon
Named after the original bar, now the Garota de Ipanema, where Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes penned the famous song 'The Girl from Ipanema,' the open…
Rio de Janeiro
Perfectly positioned, this open-air bar and eatery looks out on wide Av Atlântica, with the beach in the background. Owing to its breezy location, it…
Rio Grande do Sul
Folks of a certain age will love this ’80s-themed bar with cassette-tape napkin holders, floppy-disc coasters and a very young 'Steven' Jobs on the TV…
Ipanema & Leblon
A fine contender in Rio's burgeoning craft-beer scene, Noi creates some satisfying brews that go down nicely with snacks like bolinhos de feijoada …
Ipanema & Leblon
Something of a novelty for cariocas, Lord Jim is one of several English-style pubs scattered about the Zona Sul. Darts, English-speaking waiters and a few…
Santa Catarina
Though the craft beer movement has de-throned Eisenbahn as the best and most famous artisanal Brazilian beer, this long-standing brewery has stepped up…
São Paulo
The São Paulo location of the now very well-established Scottish craft beer empire was their first foray outside Europe. Love or hate the brand, it's hard…
Santa Catarina
Das Bier brews two traditional-style pilsens and follows those with a brown ale, weiss, pale ale, Australian pale ale and märzen, among others. Their in…
São Paulo
São Paulo's most old-school luxury hotel, Maksoud Plaza, turned over its old piano bar to Spencer Jr, the city's most heralded mixologist, in a plea to…
Rio Grande do Sul
Du Perau started with ambitions of craft beer grandeur – it once had 55 types of Rio Grande do Sul bottles. Today, friendly Rodrigo's fun, music-themed…
São Paulo
Steeped in Paulista history, Riviera was the epicenter of the intellectual counterculture for over 50 years before falling on hard times and shutting in…
Rio de Janeiro
Hidden in a narrow lane leading off Praça XV (Quinze) de Novembro, this place is one of many popular open-sided drinking spots tucked into Rio's old…
São Luís
An unpretentious local watering hole that's a popular spot for knocking back cold beers and caipirinhas. It also serves up some decent home style local…
Santa Catarina
A proper English-run pub and garden pouring a wide range of pints (R$24.50 to R$47.50) from some 40 taps, including local craft and classic standbys like…
Rio de Janeiro
Cariocas have found creative ways to spend a summer evening while the economic crisis still grips the city – namely stopping by well-positioned snack bars…
Bahia
In town, Morocha is ground zero for nightlife, particularly in summer and around Carnaval. This popular local hangout and restaurant serving pizza, steaks…
Paraná
For what it's worth, this small cafe inside A Página Livrarias bookshop is Paraguaná's intellectual ground zero. There's espresso (from R$5) served…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
With a view of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas across a busy road, Bar Lagoa is one of the neighborhood's classic haunts. Founded in 1935, this open-air spot…
Ipanema & Leblon
A young mix of cariocas and gringos stirs things up over cheap cocktails at this battered old favorite in Ipanema. A porch out the front overlooks the…
Rio de Janeiro
Artwork lines this space in Botafogo. With numerous rooms to explore (lounge, screening room, dance floors), this old mansion embodies the creative side…
Ipanema & Leblon
Set in a bright blue house with a small front veranda, the Tap House lives up to its name with a rotating selection of 20 or so microbrews on draft, from…
São Paulo
Third Wave it ain't, but this iconic coffee stop inside Edifício Copan has been at it since 1979 and makes for an excellent downtown pitstop for one of…
São Paulo
For karaoke the old-fashioned way, head to this kitsch classic, which is decked out in Christmas lights, party favors, plug-in paintings and glowing…
Ipanema & Leblon
This small and cozy pub has more than 300 brew varieties, with labels from across Europe, the US, Australia and beyond. If you've been to the original…
Rio de Janeiro
One for the rock-lovers, Toca Raul has live bands at weekends (typically from 8pm Friday and Saturday; check the Facebook page for the latest schedule)…
São Paulo
Although it lacks a bit of soul and character, you cannot deny the 40 taps pumping out Brazil-wide craft chope at this bi-level Vila Madalena bar. If…
Ipanema & Leblon
Wood's gathers a young, attractive crowd, who sip brightly colored elixirs amid disco lights while mingling on the dance floor. A mix of DJs and bands…
Rio de Janeiro
Part of a new breed of coffeehouses sprouting up across Rio, Grão Raro (which means 'rare bean') has high-quality roasts, prepared to your liking …
Minas Gerais
Just below the tourist office, this cafe with exposed stone walls has simple food, fancy coffee drinks, and an extensive beer and wine list. It's an…
Paraná
This charming blue house is on the path between Nova Brasília and Farol das Conchas. It has wi-fi for non-paying customers (per hour R$5), average snacks,…
Rio de Janeiro
A hole-in-the-wall drinkery that has a winning combination of burgers (R$28 to R$33) and beers, the Bar Surfshop draws a lively crowd on sunny days. As…
Natal
Tucked away a couple of blocks from the beach, this corner bar has a rock soundtrack and a decent selection of Brazilian craft beers on tap; most are from…
Ipanema & Leblon
One of Ipanema's favorite spots for a dose of fresh-squeezed vitamins, this juice bar facing the Praça NS da Paz has dozens of flavors (juices R$12). You…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Small but charming Goya-Beira is one of Santa Teresa's treasures, and has a peaceful view onto Largo das Neves. Owner Rose Guerra prepares intriguing…
