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 hall, an enormous dance floor and a long stage covered with musicians. A wide range 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 (dance hall) in Lapa, Democráticos is a good choice.