Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro

Aimed squarely at North Americans with a hankering for taste of their homeland, Gringo Cafe does a roaring trade in US DIner-style favorites such as hash browns, bottomless coffees, pancakes, waffles and French toast, as well as delicious cakes, milkshakes and cheese burgers made with imported American cheese. The breakfasts, served all day, are manna from heaven for many homesick ex-pats, who can indulge a craving for bacon, eggs made any way you choose, while mains such as mac & cheese and spaghetti with meatballs also help to keep homesickness pangs at bay. A couple of blocks back from the beach, Gringo Cafe is also popular with wealthy locals keen to experience a taste of North America, but the English-speaking staff mean that bedazzled visitors to the city can relax and put the phrase book away here.

Every city needs at least one Irish bar, and this lively hangout at the heart of Ipanema prides is the place to come for lively banter, traditional Irish food and, of course, imported Guinness (at a stiff price). A vast place with a balcony overlooking Ipanema’s main square, Shenanigans is a good place to watch international sports matches on the big screen by day, and by night throngs with a crowd of foreign tourists and Brazilian locals that are keen to get to know them. DJs spin tunes into the small hours, and this is one of the liveliest spots in the city – perfect for swapping travelers’ tales with fellow visitors, or making new Brazilian friends.

While Copacabana wins out as the most picture-perfect city beach in Rio, Ipanema is easily the more chic of the two neighboring stretches of sand, and this is a wonderfully scenic spot for a late-night drink.

There are scores of kiosks selling tempting food and drink. At night, the kiosks buzz with party people, and there are regular live music events on the sands.

The towering twin peaks of the Dois Irmaos (two brothers) mountains frames the beach scene in spectacular fashion, and visitors will find the beach informally divided into social groups. Head to Posto Nove (Lifeguard post 9) for a young, hip crowd, or look for the giant rainbow flag if you’re looking for gay-friendly sunbathing and socializing.

Garota de Ipanema (Girl From Ipanema) is the spot where the legendary bossa nova song of the same name was penned. The songwriters Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes were inspired by a beautiful girl who passed by the window of the bar as they enjoyed a beer each day, and today the spot is a major tourist attraction in its own right. The food is less remarkable than the bar-restaurant´s history, but it´s a nice place to enjoy a pizza and a beer in the late afternoon, while the spacious upper floor hosts regular live music events that draw a mixed crowd of foreign visitors and music-loving locals.

In a neighborhood where many bars are formal and a little stuffy, Jobi is a breath of fresh air. The early-opening, late-closing Leblon institution is a fine example of the Rio boteco – botecos being informal bars serving food and good company to a relaxed crowd.

Locals and out-of-towners alike flock here for perfectly-kept draught beers, well-mixed cocktails and an extensive range of bar snacks that includes moreish versions of local staples such as bolinhos de bacalhau(fried cod and potato balls).

The bar opens late and closes early, so you???re sure to be able to fit in a visit – whether it be for an early morning coffee, early evening food and drinks, or an end-of-the-night cocktail.

The Devassa chain brews its own beers in a range of flavors and alcohol strengths, and while their marketing is playful, they take their brewing seriously. Here you might want to try a malt beer or a –loira–(blonde) beer, which are served ice cold by draught. The food is good too – try the pizzas made with a manioc flour base – and the lively, relaxed spot makes this a great place to begin a night out in Rio. Pitchers of beer and plates of light finger food for sharing have made Devassa a byword for sociable dining in Rio.

This lively bar prides itself on cheerful service and a warm welcome, and it would take a concerted effort not to feel at ease in the relaxed surrounds. By day, the bar is a top choice for a sandy-footed crowd looking for post-beach sustenance, and by day live bands play live MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira – or classic Brazilian pop), and samba rock to a mixed-age crowd that isn’t afraid to get up and dance after downing a couple of the fruity house cocktails. The food menu ranges from hearty Brazilian staples such as feijoada to light salads, and the comprehensive drinks menu includes a wide range of imported beers, a good range of cocktails and a choice of wines by the glass or bottle.

Ranked the best hotel bar in the world by style bible Wallpaper, this hip hangout at the upmarket Fasano Rio hotel is open to non-guests – but be prepared to book well in advance and pay steep prices for your immaculately-prepared drinks.The bar mixes British punk attitude with Italian flair, and sees vintage album art hung on the walls, and luxurious leather armchairs for lounging in. The regular clientele here includes models, actors and footballers, and with A-listers such as Madonna and supermodel Gisele popping in occasionally, you’ll need to pull out all the wardrobe stops if you want to fit in.

This lively spot resembles a traditional British pub – complete with fish and chips on the menu and red phone booths outside, and it’s a long-standing favorite with visiting Brits. A lively place to hang out and meet fellow travelers, it’s at its hectic best during major international sports events – major European soccer matches are screened here, and there’s always a lively atmosphere. Traditional ‘pub grub’ makes up the bulk of the menu, but there are some favorite Brazilian bar snacks such as bolinhos de frango – breaded chicken balls – on the menu too, and you can wash it down with an imported beer or a caipirinha.

This retro-chic bar in front of Ipanema beach maintains a sense of fun while taking its food and drinks seriously. Top foodie picks are the seafood and pasta dishes, while the cocktail list is staggeringly long- there is even a menu entirely dedicated to gin and tonics. Meanwhile, beer drinkers can make themselves comfortable – waitstaff stroll around the bar selling ice-cold, freshly-poured chopp (draught beer) to customers right at their tables. The sidewalk patio is a wonderful place to watch the sun make its dramatic descent over Ipanema beach.