When the sun sets, the famous beaches become quieter and the nightlife slowly starts in Rio de Janeiro.
The amount of bars and clubs is huge and there’s something fun for everyone and every mood. We have made a list of our favorites in Rio de Janeiro, in no particular order.
1. Empório 37
2. Barzin
3. Bar Astor
4. Shenanigan’s
5. Studio RJ
6. Blue Agave
7. Delirium Café
8. Jobi
9. Belmonte
10. Bar and Restaurant Urca
11. Bar do Gomez
12. Bar da Cachaça
13. Canastra Bar
14. Nosso
1. Empório 37
This alternative rock bar has been a favorite among locals and tourists for more than twenty years. Despite the absence of a dance floor, the night always turns into a party and everyone sings along loudly and dances to the music of bands such as the White Stripes and R.E.M.
Address: Maria Quiteria 37, Ipanema
2. Barzin
With a restaurant, a lounge bar, and a (small) club where live music is played occasionally (see video), you will keep busy all night in this hip place.
Address: Rua Vinicius Moraes 75, Ipanema
3. Bar Astor
A beautiful Art Deco lounge-bar where the wealthier Brazilians go to.
Address: Avenida Veira Souto 110, Arpoador
4. Shenanigan’s
It’s known by the Brazilians as a ‘gringo’ bar, as it attracts mainly tourists. A really cozy, no-nonsense bar, furnished like an English pub, where live music is played every now and then.
Address: Visconde de Piraja 112 A, Ipanema
5. Studio RJ
It’s known for its great bands and both national and international DJs, which the magnificent club regularly books.
Address: Avenida Vieira Souto 110, Arpoador
6. Blue Agave
A lively Mexican place, where you can hang out comfortably, Dutch style, at the bar. When the bar ladies are in a good mood, you can count on a fun evening and free cocktails if they like you.
Address: Rua Vinícius de Moraes 68, Ipanema
7. Delirium Café
Do you feel like a Tripel St. Bernardus or a different craft beer? Then you can visit Ipanema’s own beer café that serves no less than 350 different brands!
Address: Rua Barao da Torre 183, Ipanema
8. Jobi
For the best tapas and the coldest draft beer (chopp) of Rio de Janeiro, Jobi is the place to be. Come early or book a table in advance if you want to avoid standing in line.
Address: Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva 1166, Leblon
9. Belmonte
Very popular bar and restaurant, where the in-crowd of Leblon gets together until late at night.
Address: Rua Dias Ferreira 521, Leblon
10. Bar and Restaurant Urca
Order a drink and some of their really delicious snacks, sit down on the seafront and enjoy the view over the bay. Without a doubt, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most charming bars.
Address: Rua Cândido Gafree 205 in Urca
11. Bar do Gomez
It takes a long walk uphill to reach Bar do Gomez. The bar opened its doors in 1919 and is a nice place to drink your well-deserved caipirinha among the locals.
Address: Rua Aurea 26 in Santa Teresa
12. Bar da Cachaça
As the name suggests, this is the place in Rio de Janeiro to taste different types of cachaça.
Address: Avenida Mem de Sá 110 in Lapa
13. Canastra Bar
Great wine bar run by three French ex-pats.
Address: Edifício Paranoá – Rua Jangadeiros 42 in Ipanema
14. Nosso
Trendy bar that serves delicious gin & tonic cocktails.
Address: Rua Maria Quitéria 91 in Ipanema
