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Tan Tan
A Pinheiros noodle bar turned cocktail bar, founded in 2015 by Thiago Bañares and the highest-ranked Brazilian entry on The World's 50 Best Bars list.
Bar dos Arcos
A late-night bar inside the 1911 Theatro Municipal, open in the evenings from Tuesday to Saturday and a natural stop before or after a performance.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail bar in a historic theatre
- Area
- Centro / Sé, São Paulo, Brazil
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- theatromunicipal.org.br
Good to know
- Historic setting
- Cocktails
- Late opening
Why we recommend it
Bar dos Arcos is a bar inside a working opera house. It is part of the Theatro Municipal, the theatre that opened in 1911 on Praça Ramos de Azevedo, designed by Ramos de Azevedo with Cláudio and Domiziano Rossi and inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris. The theatre's history adds to the atmosphere: it hosted Caruso, Callas and Nureyev, and in 1922 it was the stage for the Semana de Arte Moderna, a landmark moment for Brazilian modernism.
The bar keeps late hours. It opens at 18:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, staying open until 1:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, until 2:00 on Thursdays and Fridays and until 3:00 on Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays, and the theatre's site does not list Sunday hours, so check before planning a Sunday visit. Those late hours make it one of the more useful places in the centre for a drink after a concert or opera.
The obvious way to plan a visit is around a performance. The theatre is home to the São Paulo Municipal Symphony Orchestra, the Coral Lírico and the Balé da Cidade, and the programme is listed on the Theatro Municipal website. Arrive early for a drink, or come afterwards when the auditorium empties. If you visit during the day, the theatre's free guided tours, including tours in English on Saturdays at 11:00 and from Wednesday to Friday at 13:00, are a good way to see the building first, and the Salão Dourado inside the theatre opens during the day for food from Tuesday to Sunday.
Bar dos Arcos suits couples, culture lovers and anyone curious to see the theatre from a different angle. It is a more atmospheric alternative to a hotel bar for an evening in the historic centre. The theatre's general service line is +55 11 3367 7200, open on weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00 and on weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00, and it can answer questions about access to the bar on performance nights.
Plan your trip home in advance, as you would after any late night in the city centre; taxis and ride-hailing cars are the simplest option. Combine the evening with dinner at A Casa do Porco or a sandwich at Ponto Chic, both in the centre.
Bar dos Arcos FAQs
Where is Bar dos Arcos?
Inside the Theatro Municipal on Praça Ramos de Azevedo in the historic centre.
When is it open?
From 18:00 Tuesday to Saturday, until 1:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:00 on Thursday and Friday and 3:00 on Saturday. It is closed on Mondays.
Is it open on Sundays?
The theatre's website does not list Sunday hours, so check before you go.
Do I need a theatre ticket?
Check with the theatre on +55 11 3367 7200, especially on performance nights.
Can I tour the theatre too?
Yes. The theatre runs free guided tours, including English tours on Saturdays at 11:00 and Wednesday to Friday at 13:00.
Is there food in the theatre?
The Salão Dourado opens during the day from Tuesday to Sunday.
What else is on at the theatre?
Opera, ballet and concerts by the Municipal Symphony Orchestra, the Coral Lírico and the Balé da Cidade.
How do I get home late at night?
Taxis and ride-hailing cars are the simplest option after a late evening in the centre.