Not only in Rio de Janeiro but also in São Paulo, there are plenty of exciting samba clubs and events for samba lovers to enjoy.
While they may be slightly smaller than the samba palaces found in Rio, São Paulo’s clubs are certainly not inferior when it comes to the overall experience and music quality. My personal favorite samba club, ranked at number four on the list, is a place I frequent every Sunday when I’m in São Paulo.
The Best Samba Clubs in São Paulo:
1. Oh! Madalena Bar
2. O do Borogodo
3. Bar Samba
4. Samba do Sol
5. Samba da Luz
1. Oh! Madalena Bar (formerly Bar Pau Brasil)
At Oh! Madalena Bar, you can savor excellent caipirinhas and enjoy live music on weekends. Locals who frequent this establishment can share nostalgic stories about the bohemian Vila Madalena district from the last century.
Address: Rua Horácio Lane 207, Pinheiros
2. O do Borogodo
O do Borogodo could be considered the big brother of Pau Brasil, offering the same recipe but on a larger scale. The party here typically kicks off around 01:00 AM. The music quality surpasses that of Pau Brasil, but the entrance fee is slightly higher, ranging from 20 to 25 reais.
Address: Rua Horácio Lane 21, Pinheiros
3. Bar Samba
Bar Samba stands out with its well-lit interior, in stark contrast to the darker and more raw atmospheres of Pau Brasil and O do Borogodo. The walls are adorned with colorful portraits of samba legends and flags representing local samba schools.
The crowd here tends to be a bit older compared to other clubs, with a noticeable number of couples. Samba bands and artists often deliver high-quality performances. Upon arrival, inquire about the evening’s entrance fee, which you pay later. It can amount to as much as 35 reais.
Address: Rua Fidalga 308, Vila Madalena
4. Samba do Sol
Samba do Sol is a club night that takes place every Sunday evening, running from 4:00 PM to 01:00 AM, at various locations across São Paulo, such as Centro Cultural Rio Verde. This is truly a hidden gem, with everything falling into place – the music, atmosphere, people, and location.
Address: Changing locations, please check their Facebook page
5. Samba da Luz
Samba da Luz hosts brilliant club nights once or twice a week, mainly at Casa da Luz, situated in the beautiful building in the Luz district. This area is known for its rough character, so it’s advisable to have a taxi drop you off at the doorstep.
Address: Changing locations, please check their Facebook page
Identification Requirements
For entry into the aforementioned clubs, please ensure you have a driver’s license or passport to verify your identity at the door. Your drinks and food will be recorded on a receipt, which you settle at the end of the evening, so make sure not to lose it. The exception is Samba do Sol, where you purchase chips to use for payment at the bar.
