Food & Drink

Best Bars in Rio

Written and reviewed by Lotte — Rio local, founder & editor of PlanRio · How we research · First published 25 March 2026

Cocktail bars, local botecos, rooftop terraces, and live music spots — the definitive guide to drinking in Rio de Janeiro.

Quick answer — where should I drink in Rio?

For a real Carioca night, start at a boteco for ice-cold chopp (draft beer) and end in Lapa for live samba. Botafogo (Nosso, Void) is Rio's best cocktail scene; Lapa (Rio Scenarium, Carioca da Gema) is for music and street drinking; Leblon and Ipanema (Jobi, Belmonte) for classic beer-and-boteco. Expect R$8–15 for a chopp and R$25–70 for a craft cocktail. Pay by card or Pix, use Uber between areas, and never lose your comanda card.

Bar culture in Rio de Janeiro is inseparable from daily life. Cariocas drink at botecos (casual street-corner bars) after work, at beach kiosks in the afternoon, and at cocktail bars before dinner. The city's warm climate means outdoor drinking dominates, and the best bars often have the simplest setups — plastic chairs, cold chopp, and a view.

This guide covers every type of bar experience in Rio, from a R$8 draft beer at a neighborhood boteco to a R$70 craft cocktail at a rooftop lounge.

Rio bars at a glance

The classic night	Start at a boteco for chopp, end in Lapa for live samba
Best cocktails	Botafogo — Nosso, Void
Best music & street drinking	Lapa — Rio Scenarium, Carioca da Gema
Classic beer-and-boteco	Leblon & Ipanema — Jobi, Belmonte
Typical price	Chopp R$8–15 · craft cocktail R$25–70
Pay	Card or Pix — and never lose your comanda card

Brazilian Drinks You Must Try

Caipirinha

R$15–35

Brazil's national cocktail — cachaça (sugarcane spirit), muddled lime, sugar, and ice. Order with different fruits: passion fruit (maracujá), kiwi, or tangerine for variety.

Chopp

R$8–15

Ice-cold draft beer (usually Brahma or Original). Served in small glasses to stay cold. The backbone of boteco culture — cheap, refreshing, and constantly refilled.

Caipiroska

R$18–35

Same as a caipirinha but made with vodka instead of cachaça. Popular with tourists who find cachaça too strong.

Batida

R$12–25

A creamy cocktail blending cachaça with fruit juice and condensed milk. The coconut (coco) version is most popular. Sweet, strong, and dangerously drinkable.

Cachaça

R$10–40 per shot

Brazil's signature spirit, distilled from sugarcane. Premium aged cachaça (envelhecida) rivals fine whiskey. Ask for a tasting at any good bar.

Mate Leão

R$5–8

Not alcoholic, but iconic — iced mate tea sold by vendors walking the beach. The quintessential Rio beach drink.

Best Cocktail Bars

Baretto-Londra

IpanemaCocktails R$50–80

Inside Hotel Fasano, this is Rio's most sophisticated bar. Live jazz, world-class cocktails by award-winning bartenders, and an elegant crowd. Smart-casual dress code.

Nosso

BotafogoCocktails R$35–55

A modern cocktail bar with a focus on Brazilian ingredients — cachaça infusions, tropical fruits, and native herbs. The menu changes seasonally and each drink tells a story.

Void General Store

BotafogoCocktails R$30–50

Part store, part bar. Creative cocktails in a curated retail environment. The bartenders are among Rio's best, and the vibe is effortlessly cool.

Champanharia Ovelha Negra

CopacabanaDrinks R$30–60

Sparkling wine and cocktail bar hidden on a quiet Copacabana street. Intimate atmosphere, excellent small plates, and an impressive wine list.

Best Botecos (Local Bars)

Botecos are the soul of Rio's drinking culture. These casual bars serve cold beer, simple food (petiscos), and endless conversation. No reservations, no dress code, no pretense.

Bar do Mineiro

Santa TeresaBeer R$8–12

The quintessential Rio boteco. Famous for its feijão tropeiro, pastéis, and extensive cachaça collection. Always packed, always noisy, always worth it.

Belmonte

Multiple LocationsBeer R$8–12

A Rio institution with branches across the city. Known for giant portions of petiscos (bar snacks), especially the empada and bolinho de bacalhau. The outdoor tables at the Ipanema branch are prime people-watching territory.

Bar do David

Chapéu Mangueira (Leme)Beer R$7–10

A tiny bar in a favela above Leme with some of the best food in Rio. The feijoada and moqueca here have won national awards. The view and atmosphere are unforgettable.

Pavão Azul

CopacabanaBeer R$7–10

A classic corner boteco on a side street in Copa. Cold beer, excellent coxinhas, and a genuine local vibe far from the tourist beachfront.

Jobi

LeblonBeer R$10–14

A Leblon institution since 1956. Chopp here is famously cold and perfectly poured. The counter fills with neighborhood regulars, journalists, and musicians. Pure old-school Rio.

Rooftop & View Bars

Hotel Santa Teresa Terrace

Santa Teresa

The rooftop bar at this boutique hotel offers panoramic views over Guanabara Bay and the city center. Cocktails are premium-priced but the sunset views are free.

Skylab Bar

Centro

Atop the Yoo2 Hotel by Intercity, this modern rooftop offers 360-degree views, strong cocktails, and a DJ on weekends. The Sugarloaf backdrop is stunning.

TT Burger Rooftop

Jardim Botânico

A casual rooftop burger joint with craft beers and views of Christ the Redeemer. Less pretentious than hotel rooftops, with great food and fair prices.

Live Music Bars

Rio Scenarium

LapaCover R$40–80

Three-story antique shop turned samba club. Live bands every night, excellent caipirinhas, and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else. The most iconic music bar in Rio.

Carioca da Gema

LapaCover R$25–50

An intimate samba and choro venue with some of Rio's best live musicians. Smaller and more authentic than Rio Scenarium. Great for actually hearing the music.

Beco do Rato

LapaCover R$10–20

A grungy basement bar hosting roda de samba on Monday and Tuesday nights. The music is extraordinary, the crowd is local, and the energy is electric. A Rio essential.

Maze Inn

Tavares BastosFree–R$30

A hostel/bar/jazz club set in a favela with panoramic views. First-Friday jazz nights attract international musicians and a bohemian crowd. Reservation essential.

Price Guide

Draft beer (chopp) at a botecoR$8–14 ($1.50–3)

Bottled beer (600ml)R$12–18 ($2.50–4)

Caipirinha at a barR$18–35 ($3.50–7)

Craft cocktail at an upscale barR$40–70 ($8–14)

Glass of wineR$25–50 ($5–10)

Bottle of water at a barR$5–8 ($1–1.50)

Bar Experiences

Lapa Bar Crawl with Local Guide

Visit 4–5 bars in Lapa with a local guide, welcome drinks, and skip-the-line access.

Check availability

Lapa & Selarón Food & Drinks Tour

A guided evening of Lapa botecos, street-food tastings and the Selarón Steps with a local host.

Check availability

Links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports PlanRio.

Common mistakes tourists make

Crossing districts on foot late at night. Pick one nightlife area and use an app-based ride or official taxi when changing neighbourhoods.
Losing the comanda. Some venues track every order on a tab card and may charge a replacement fee if it disappears.
Assuming every rooftop accepts walk-ins. Hotel access, reservations and minimum-spend rules can change; confirm on the day.
Starting in Lapa without a return plan. Save your accommodation address and arrange the route home before the street gets busiest.

Local expert tips

Start at a boteco, order petiscos (shared bar snacks), and move to live music later rather than trying to fit four districts into one night.
Keep a small water bottle and your phone out of sight between venues; use it inside when checking the ride details.
For a first samba night, choose a ticketed venue or guided evening if navigating Lapa independently feels like unnecessary friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to drink at bars in Rio?

Yes, in established bars and botecos. Use Uber to travel between venues, don't flash valuables, and stay in well-lit areas. The popular bar districts (Lapa, Botafogo, Leblon) are generally safe.

Do bars accept credit cards?

Most established Rio bars accept cards and many accept Pix. Carry a small cash backup, and keep any comanda tab card safe because venues may charge a replacement fee.

What time do bars open and close?

Opening and closing times vary by venue and day. Botecos often open earlier than cocktail bars, while Lapa and Botafogo venues may run late on weekends. Check the venue's same-day listing before travelling.

Can I drink on the street?

Street drinking is common around Lapa and at licensed beach kiosks, but event controls and local restrictions can change. Use established vendors, follow posted rules and avoid carrying an open drink into transport or another venue.