Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NIGHTLIFE
The best way to find out what's on and where in Rio is to consult
Caderno B
, a separate section of the
Jornal do Brasil
, which
lists cinema, arts events and concerts;
O Globo
, too, details sporting and cultural goings-on in the city.
Veja
, Brazil's answer
to
Newsweek
, includes a weekly Rio supplement with news of local events; the magazine reaches the newsstands on
Sunday. Regardless, you should never find yourself stuck for options: there's no end of things to do come nightfall in a city
whose name is synonymous with Carnaval (see pp.104-107), samba and jazz.
1
Casa da Matriz
Rua Henrique Novaes 107, Botafogo
T
21 2266 1014,
W
casadamatriz.com.br; map
pp.76-77.
An extremely stylish, aggressively modern
club that features more Brazilian music than is typical
of discos - though this varies throughout the week.
Entrance
CLUBS
Although Rio's discos attempt sophistication, the end result
is generally bland. Too often they pump out a steady
stream of British and American hits, interspersed with
records from Brazil's own dreadful pop industry. The
fashionable nightclubs that attract both
cariocas
and
tourists are all found in the Zona Sul, but for a more
authentically local experience you'd be far better off trying
some of the music venues in Lapa (see opposite). Cover
charges tend to vary on different nights.
00 Zero Zero
Av Padre Leonel Franca 240 (in the grounds
of Gavéa planetarium), Gávea
T
21 2540 8041,
W
00site
.com.br; map pp.76-77.
A stylish club, frequented by a rich
and trendy crowd, where some of Brazil's top DJs play an
eclectic mix of music. Like most places, it doesn't really get
going until after 11pm.
Nightly from 8.30pm.
R$15-30.
Tues
9pm-midnight,
Wed
8pm-5am, Thurs-Sat 11pm-6am.
Club Six
Rua das Marrecas 38, Lapa
T
21 2510 3230,
W
clubsix.com.br;
M
Cinelândia; map pp.62-63.
With
three dancefloors featuring anything from reggae, trance or
hip-hop to old-school Brazilian sounds such as
forró
and
zouk
,
depending on the night, this is a good place to end up after
some Lapa bar-hopping. Located in an old house that's been
renovated to convey a rustic-chic air.
Fri & Sat 10pm-late.
Melt
Rua Rita Ludolf 47, Leblon
T
21 2249 9309,
W
meltbar.com.br; map pp.76-77.
A stylish, hipster
GAY RIO
If you're expecting Rio's
gay nightlife
to rival San Francisco's or Sydney's, you may be
disappointed. In general, nightlife is pretty integrated, with gay men, lesbians and
heterosexuals tending to share the same venues; apart from transvestites who hang out on
street corners and are visible during Carnaval, the scene is unexpectedly discreet. The strip of
beach between Rua Farme de Amoedo and Rua Teixeira do Melo in Ipanema is the best-
known daytime gay meeting point, and Rua Farme de Almoedo is home to several gay- and
lesbian-oriented cafés and bars, at their liveliest on Friday and Saturday nights. At Carnaval
time there are often
gay carnival balls
(see p.106).
Tours
highlighting Rio's gay history are
conducted by Carlos Roquette, a dapper former federal judge turned tour guide (see p.92).
Useful
websites
on gay and lesbian Rio include
W
riogayguide.com and
W
gayrio4u.com,
while
W
arco-iris.org.br offers more political and campaigning insights, but the website is only
in Portuguese. For our pick of Rio's best gay clubs see “Nightlife” (see pp.102-104).
Campos; map p.81.
A mixed gay, lesbian and
heterosexual crowd shake the floor nightly at this
basement club, where some nights are more gay than
others (check the website).
Wed-Sat 11pm-5am.
Le Boy
Rua Raul Pompéia 102, Copacabana
T
21 2513 4993,
W
leboy.com.br;
M
Cantagalo; map
p.81.
Based in a former cinema, this huge club has
three dancefloors, drag shows and much more besides.
Tues-Sun from 10pm.
The Week
Rua Sacadura Cabral 154, Saúde
T
21
2253 1020,
W
theweek.com.br; map pp.62-63.
The
Rio branch of a São Paulo gay nightclub pumping out
house music all night long, with a more mixed crowd on
Fridays, and a more solidly gay one on Saturdays.
Fri &
Sat from 11pm.
GAY BAR
Casa da Lua
Rua Barão da Torre 240, Ipanema
T
21 3813 3972;
M
Ipanema/General Osório;
map pp.76-77.
A low-key lesbian bar and restaurant
known for its
batidas
(
cachaça
and fruit juice cocktails).
Tues-Sun 11.30am-3.30pm & 5pm-2am.
GAY CLUBS
Cabaré Casanova
Av Mem de Sá 25, Lapa
T
21 2221
6555;
M
Cinelândia; map pp.62-63.
Rio's oldest gay
club, in business since 1929, is famous for its drag shows
and kitschy lambada and house sounds, attracting a
mixed and lively crowd.
Fri-Sun 10pm-late.
Fosfobox
Rua Siquiera Campos 143, Copacabana
T
21 2548 7498,
W
fosfobox.com.br;
M
Siquiera
