Bar
Carioca da Gema
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.
Rio Scenarium
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.
At a glance
- Type
- Live samba and Brazilian music venue
- Area
- Lapa / Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- rioscenarium.com.br
Good to know
- Three floors
- Live music
- Saturday feijoada with samba
- Online tickets
- Reservations
Why we recommend it
Rio Scenarium is one of the best-known live music venues in Rio de Janeiro, set on Rua do Lavradio in the Centro district. It opened in 1999 as an antiques shop and in 2001 became a venue for Brazilian music.
The house spreads over three floors divided into seven different spaces, with room for about 2,000 people, so there is plenty to explore between sets. The programme covers samba, gafieira, chorinho and pop, and the kitchen serves Brazilian food alongside a list of house cocktails.
According to the official website, the venue opens on Wednesday and Thursday from 19:00 to 01:00, on Friday from 19:00 to 02:00 and on Saturday from 20:00 to 03:00. On Saturday afternoons there is also a samba and feijoada session from 12:00 to 18:00, when an all-you-can-eat feijoada is served from 13:00 to 16:00, which makes a good daytime introduction for anyone who does not want a late night. Because the afternoon session is separate from the evening programme, a Saturday can include both. Tickets are sold online through the official website, which also has a reservations page.
The venue suits couples, groups of friends and first-time visitors who want an easy, well-organised way to hear and dance to Brazilian music, and its size means it can handle large groups and celebrations.
The business line, +55 21 3553-3104, answers on Mondays from 09:00 to 17:00 and from Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00, which is the best way to ask about tables or group bookings.
Carioca da Gema, which Diário do Rio calls a reference for samba in Rio, is on Avenida Mem de Sá in Lapa, where the Escadaria Selarón and the Lapa Arches are also found. Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro, on Rua Riachuelo in Lapa, is a convenient place to stay for nights out in the area.
For dinner beforehand, the centre and Lapa have several options, including Jurema Bar on Rua Morais e Vale, between Glória and Lapa, whose chef Pedro Attayde was named the city's revelation chef in the 2026 Veja Rio awards. Confeitaria Colombo, also in the Centro district, makes a good daytime stop for coffee on the same trip.
Rio Scenarium FAQs
When is Rio Scenarium open?
According to the official website, Wednesday and Thursday 19:00-01:00, Friday 19:00-02:00 and Saturday 20:00-03:00, plus a Saturday afternoon samba and feijoada session.
What music is played?
Samba, gafieira, chorinho and pop.
How big is it?
It has three floors with seven spaces and room for about 2,000 people.
Is there food?
Yes. Brazilian food and house cocktails, plus an all-you-can-eat feijoada on Saturdays from 13:00 to 16:00.
How do you buy tickets?
Online through the official website, which also has a reservations page.
What is its history?
It opened as an antiques shop in 1999 and became a music venue in 2001.
How do you contact the venue?
On the business line, +55 21 3553-3104, Monday to Saturday during office hours.
Where is it?
At Rua do Lavradio 20, in the centre close to Lapa.