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1. Rio Scenarium

Live samba and Brazilian music venue$$Lapa / Centro

A three-floor live music house on Rua do Lavradio that began as an antiques shop in 1999 and now hosts samba, gafieira and choro.

View details — Rio Scenarium

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2. Tan Tan

Cocktail bar and noodle bar$$$Pinheiros

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.

View details — Tan Tan

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3. Bar Brahma

Historic bar with live music$$Centro / República

A downtown bar founded in 1948 at the corner of Avenida Ipiranga and Avenida São João, immortalised in Caetano Veloso's song Sampa and known for live Brazilian music.

View details — Bar Brahma

Bar

4. Carioca da Gema

Samba bar$$Lapa

A Lapa samba house in a traditional old house on Avenida Mem de Sá, with live samba from Tuesday to Saturday and a bar food menu.

View details — Carioca da Gema

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5. Adega Pérola

Traditional Portuguese-style bar$$Copacabana

A Copacabana bar founded by Portuguese brothers in 1957, famous for draught beer and around 70 petiscos sold by the kilo.

View details — Adega Pérola

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6. Skye Bar at Hotel Unique

Rooftop bar and restaurant$$$$Jardins

The rooftop bar and restaurant of Ruy Ohtake's Hotel Unique, with DJs, a red pool and panoramic views over Parque Ibirapuera and the Avenida Paulista skyline.

View details — Skye Bar at Hotel Unique

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7. Baretto

Live music bar$$$$Jardins

The bar of the Hotel Fasano in Jardins, named the world's number one bar by Wallpaper* magazine, where Caetano Veloso and Maria Rita are among past performers.

View details — Baretto

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8. Jurema Bar

Cachaça and cocktail bar$$Glória / Lapa

A cachaça bar between Glória and Lapa with inventive Brazilian bar food by chef Pedro Attayde, named the city's best bar kitchen in 2026.

View details — Jurema Bar

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9. Bar dos Arcos

Cocktail bar in a historic theatre$$$Centro / Sé

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.

View details — Bar dos Arcos

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10. Liz Cocktails & Co

Cocktail bar$$$Leblon

An intimate Leblon cocktail bar and the only Rio bar on the Top 500 Bars list, known for classic cocktails, Sunday jazz and oysters.

View details — Liz Cocktails & Co

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11. Bar Urca

Traditional bar and sea-wall drinks$$Urca

A family-run Urca bar founded in 1939, famous for fried sardines, cold beer and drinks on the sea wall facing Corcovado.

View details — Bar Urca

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12. D-Edge

Electronic music club$$$Barra Funda

An electronic music club in Barra Funda with its own record labels covering house, techno and experimental sounds, a rooftop space and parties from Thursday to Sunday.

View details — D-Edge