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…
Must-see entertainment in Rio de Janeiro
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Rio de Janeiro
Going strong since 1934, Teatro Rival stages Música Popular Brasileira (MPB), samba, chorinho (informal instrumental music) and forró (Northeast popular…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
Teatro do Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
Rio de Janeiro
In addition to its exhibitions, this large cultural center in downtown Rio has two stages and a cinema. Theater, film, dance and musical events are often…
Rio de Janeiro
One of the few music halls in the Zona Sul, the 500-seat Sala Municipal Baden Powell hosts a broad range of concerts throughout the year, with MPB and…
Rio de Janeiro
UCI – New York City Center is Brazil's largest megaplex, featuring 18 different screening rooms complete with large, comfortable chairs and stadium…
Rio de Janeiro
A high-quality six-screen cinema that shows a wide variety of fare. You can linger before or after the film at the cafe, bookstore or various snack…
Rio de Janeiro
Facing the Praça Tiradentes, the large Teatro Carlos Gomes stages avant-garde dance shows and experimental theater. The theater seats 600 people.
Rio de Janeiro
Less well known than other Samba schools, São Clemente nevertheless has a loyal following for its whimsical Carnaval themes.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's largest (6000-seat) concert house tends to change names every few years, but continues to host top international and Brazilian bands, as well as…
Rio de Janeiro
Hosting an excellent assortment of theater and dance performances, Espaço SESC is a bulwark of the Copacabana arts scene. The repertoire tends toward the…
Rio de Janeiro
Samba school located on the east side of Baía de Guanabara. Porta da Pedra hasn't had much success in recent years, and is struggling to find its way back…
Rio de Janeiro
Located northwest of Ilha do Governador, Grande Rio has been crowned parade champions only once (in 1992) but has lots of devoted followers, especially in…
Rio de Janeiro
Portela is a highly successful samba school with creative themes and brilliant costumes. It has been crowned Carnaval champion nearly two dozen times…
Rio de Janeiro
Rocinha is a Series A samba school that hosts fun parades. Its colors are blue, green and white, and butterflies (the symbol of Rocinha) often figure…
Rio de Janeiro
Going strong since 1931, this samba school has staged many dazzling parades over the years. Unidos da Tijuca has been crowned champion three times since…
Rio de Janeiro
Founded in 1948 this samba school has won more than a dozen parades over the years – most recently in 2018. It's located way out in Nilópolis (38km…
Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
Rio de Janeiro
Located 38km west of downtown, this samba school vaulted to fame in 2017 when it (along with Portela) was crowned parade champion of Rio's Carnaval.
Rio de Janeiro
Located 15km northwest of Centro, Imperatriz Leopoldinense is named after Empress Maria Leopoldina, archduchess of Austria and wife of Pedro I.
Rio de Janeiro
One of Copacabana's only cinemas is a fine retreat when the weather sours. The Roxy shows the usual films on wide release.
Rio de Janeiro
Sells tickets to many events and venues, including the big KM de Vantagens concert hall in Barra da Tijuca.
