Rio de Janeiro is an energetic city where socializing, dancing and listening to live music are a way of life.
Going out to bars is one of the best ways to tap into the local scene and hear everything from bossa nova and samba to Brazilian funk and jazz.
We’ve rounded up 9 of the best bars in Rio de Janeiro, each with its own unique draw.
Overview: Top Bars in Rio de Janeiro
1. Best for samba: Mercados Da Pulga |
9 Best Bars in Rio de Janeiro
Best bars to see live music in Rio de Janeiro
1. Best for samba: Saturdays at Mercados Da Pulga
On Saturdays at Mercado Das Pulgas, a samba event called Samba dos Guimarães draws a big, lively crowd. The energy is infectious, with people gathering to dance, chat, and lose themselves in the powerful rhythms of samba.
We noticed a bit of a ritual where groups would set an ice bucket filled with beers (always Stella) on the ground and dance around it. Who needs tables when you’ve got cold drinks and great music?
It was a very local event, but we felt welcome as tourists. It takes place in the bohemian hillside neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, so it’s easy to make a full day of it.
🕺 If you're curious about samba, consider booking a beginner samba lesson with a local who can show you the steps, then take you out to experience the real thing at a samba club. Check out this highly-rated tour through Viator: Samba Class and Samba Night Tour.2. Best for bossa nova: Beco das Garrafas
Whenever we hear bossa nova, we immediately think of dreamy beach days in Ipanema.
The genre was born in Rio in the late 1950s - a soft, swaying blend of samba and jazz created by a small group of local artists, including Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
The famous song “The Girl from Ipanema” was inspired by a real Carioca who used to stroll past Jobim and lyricist Vinícius de Moraes on her way to the beach.
One of the best places to hear classic bossa nova today is Beco das Garrafas in Copacabana, one of the first clubs where the style took off. In the early '60s, rising talents like Sérgio Mendes performed here, gaining recognition through regular Sunday gigs.
Today, Beco das Garrafas is home to two intimate venues, Bottles Bar and Little Club, both keeping the bossa spirit alive with live performances.
See what’s on - and if you see Flávia Dantas is performing, don’t miss it. She sounds just like the traditional bossa nova records.
🎶 If you want to learn more about the history of bossa nova and walk the same streets the "Girl from Ipanema" did, check out this Bossa Nova tour with a local musician.3. Best for jazz: Blue Note
Blue Note has the best sound system we’ve ever heard in a jazz club. We caught a tribute to Azymuth, a Brazilian funk-jazz band from the ’70s, and it was just incredible!
The food and drinks were solid for a jazz club, the service was top notch, and the beer was ice cold.
With 10 locations worldwide, Blue Note has been hosting some of the biggest names in jazz since it first opened in 1981.
4. Best for a hip and lively scene: The Maze
On the second Saturday of the month, The Maze hosts incredible jazz nights. Unlike typical jazz clubs where everyone stays quiet, this one feels like a party!
You’ll see hip locals and in-the-know travellers dancing, socializing, hanging out on the patio, and constantly grabbing drinks at the bar.
When we went, the event ran from 10 PM to 4 AM, and the music ensemble had a vocalist, trumpet, sax, piano, and upright bass. The energy was nonstop.
What makes this place such a hidden gem is its location. It's set in a guesthouse on top of a hill overlooking Rio. Vans escort you to the top, and employees guide you through the maze-like favela straight to the party.
The Maze lists its events on its Instagram page.
Best bars for socializing
5. Best for a night out with locals: Canastra Bar
Located in the lively Ipanema neighbourhood, Canastra Bar is one of the hottest local hangouts. When we went on a Tuesday, it turned into a full-on street party - vendors popped up, the crowd spilled into the road, and it felt like half of Ipanema was there.
That said, things may have changed ever since Covid, so we're not sure if Tuesdays are more low-key now.
Get there before 6:30 PM if you want to snag a table on the outdoor patio. It’s the perfect spot for people watching. We stayed all night, ordering Brazilian rosé, burrata, and ceviche.
Canastra has opened a new spot in Botafogo called Canastra Rose, and it looks like a cool spot to check out. We haven’t been yet, but it’s definitely on our list for next time we’re in Rio.
See our full list of 9 non-touristy things to do in Rio de Janeiro.
6. Best relaxed bar for people watching: Le Pulê
If you're looking for a more laidback atmosphere, check out Le Pulê, a charming little tapas bar that feels like a garden in the middle of Ipanema.
The cocktails are top-notch, and it’s a great spot for people-watching, with street-side seating and a cool local crowd.
7. Best for a bodega neighbourhood vibe: Bar de Serginho
Bar de Serginho in Santa Teresa
Tucked away on a quiet street in the bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, Bar do Serginho is a hidden gem.
The quirky little convenience store/bar spills out onto the sidewalk with plastic tables and chairs and is surrounded by colourful street art.
It’s a great place to stop for an inexpensive lunch and some ice-cold caipirinhas or beers.
To find it, walk up the colourful Escadaria Selarón steps and take a left at the top. Keep walking down the road and you’ll spot the bar on the right-hand side at the very end of the street.
8. Best for cocktails: Explorer Bar
Tucked slightly up a hill off the main strip in Santa Teresa, you’ll find Explorer Bar, set inside a restored turquoise mansion from the 1920s.
This former Victorian-style home now serves up expertly crafted cocktails and delicious tapas-style plates.
It’s a popular spot, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
9. Best for the view: Classico Sunset Club Urca
Don't miss our list of the 7 most Instagrammable places in Rio.
We hope you enjoyed these 9 bars in Rio De Janeiro!
Bonus: Where to stay in Rio De Janeiro
We recommend staying in Ipanema - it’s less touristy than Copacabana and has a great local scene, with some of the best beaches, bars, and restaurants in Rio.
Try to stay close to the beach so you can leave your valuables behind and fully relax.
Our top hotel picks close to Ipanema Beach:
- Hotel Arpoadar - modern rooms and a rooftop bar right next to the beach.
- Ipanema Inn Hotel - a cute boutique just half a block from the beach.
Get started on planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro
- 💡 Travel tips: see our list of 14 things not to do in Rio de Janeiro
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚆 Cog Train: Reserve your train ticket to see Christ the Redeemer
- 🚡 Cable Car: Reserve your cable car ticket for Sugarloaf Mountain
- 🛫 Flights: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however)
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these best bars in Rio de Janeiro for later:
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out our list of Unique Cultural Travel Experiences to inspire your next trip.