NIGHTLIFE IN RIO

The internationally renowned Rio Scenarium features 3 floors of extravagant, antique décor with live music, food and dancing. The first floor has a live samba band, the second a nightclub and the third floor is more relaxed with sitting and smoking areas.

The Live Samba Band plays Samba, MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), Forró, Choro and Gafieira (Samba Partner) with 2 shows on the weekdays and 3 on Friday/Saturday.

If you have only one night in Rio, spend it at the Rio Scenarium—you will not be disappointed! Locals and tourists of all ages can be found dancing and having fun. From expert dancers to beginnings, it’s the perfect place to try your Samba no Pé and your Forró skills. Don’t be shy!

You also can arrive around 7:30pm to have a dinner and enjoy a live samba band. Or come for the night and try the Caipirinha (traditional Brazilian drink with cachaça, lime, sugar and Ice—you can even add your favorite fruit)

The acoustics and vibe of the 1867 Democraticos mansion draw cariocas from all walks of life to enjoy samba, choro, gafieira and forró music. Wednesday is the best day to go, as you can see Forró and practice your moves. Feel free to dance when the locals invite you or invite someone yourself! It’s a cultural experience you’ll really enjoy.

With multiple levels at Lapa 40 Graus, you can lounge at tables on the first floor, play pool on the second floor or enjoy live music—pop, rock, samba and choro – on the third.

Around 6 pm, you will find local people hanging out after work for happy hour to play pool and listen to live music on the first floor.

Being a casual place, you will see some people dancing but most just enjoying the evening with friends. If you arrive early around 10pm (on Fridays and Saturdays) you can see some professional dancers. They wear special t-shirts and try to dance with all ladies in the club. After that, around 12am the DJ or live band starts and people start to throw back the drinks and start the party.

If you’re looking for a high class drinking and dance spot, Leviano Bar is the place.  They have reggae on Mondays, jazz on Tuesdays, afroreggae on Wednesdays, salsa and forró on Thursdays, a mix of just about everything—samba, pop, funk, hip hop and electric—on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays, they have soccer and samba.

On Thursdays, they have salsa on the first floor and forró on the second. Or if you come on Sundays, you will see professional dancers doing a nice samba performance around 8 pm. Good drinks, decent food and a great live samba band.

Merging two classic genres of samba and choro, Carioca da Gema features the best of Brazilian Pop Music from the North and South zone.

The place is so small but the music is so good. Enjoy the live samba band and try the pizza on the second floor—it’s delicious!

Description: Estudantina Musical is a traditional Brazilian club that brings together singers, composers and seasoned cariocas. Most nights you will find local Brazilian samba bands playing and sometimes even big name artists.

We recommend you visit this place on Tuesday to see all locals dancing forró with a live forró band. It’s a really nice, authentic Carioca experience.