Rio's bar scene is shaped by geography — the bars worth visiting are where the view is. Aprazivel sits high in Santa Teresa with the city below; Bar Urca sits at sea level with Sugar Loaf above. The 10 below mix iconic neighbourhood botecos (Bar do Mineiro, Bar Luiz) with the modern cocktail rooms that have emerged in Ipanema and Leblon.
Part of our 50 Best Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best bars in Rio de Janeiro
01 · Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa
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Hilltop · Garden
On a hilltop in Santa Teresa. The view across Guanabara Bay is one of Rio's best. Cocktails are simple; the view is the reason.
Order: A caipirinha with the bay view
02 · Rio de Janeiro
Urca
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Seawall · Sugar Loaf
On the seawall facing Sugar Loaf. Standing room only — locals drink on the wall watching the mountain. The most Rio drinking moment.
Order: A chopp on the seawall
03 · Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa
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1953 · Boteco
Santa Teresa institution since 1953. Black-and-white photographs cover the walls. Standing room, working-class atmosphere.
Order: A feijoada + a chopp
04 · Rio de Janeiro
Centro
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1887 · German-Brazilian
Operating since 1887. German-Brazilian institution. Sausages, sauerkraut, cold draught beer.
Order: A chopp + a kassler
05 · Rio de Janeiro
Leblon
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Cachaça temple
Leblon cachaça specialist. 100+ Brazilian cachaças. The reference for serious cachaça education.
Order: A flight of three aged cachaças
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06 · Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo
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Boteco · Empadas
Flamengo boteco famous for empadas. Working-class atmosphere, late hours, the stuffed pies are exceptional.
Order: An empada de palmito + a chopp
07 · Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana
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Tiny · Live samba · 1968
Copacabana institution since 1968. Eight tables, live samba sessions where the audience joins in. Iconic.
Order: A chopp during the Sunday samba session
08 · Rio de Janeiro
Lapa
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Lapa · Live samba
Lapa live-samba house. The most authentic carioca music experience. Drinks are basic; the music is the reason.
Order: A caipirinha + the live samba
09 · Rio de Janeiro
Lagoa
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Lagoon · Tropical
On the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. Tropical-themed bar, exotic-fruit caipirinhas, sunset over the water.
Order: A caju caipirinha at sunset
10 · Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema
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Modern · Cocktails
Modern Ipanema cocktail bar. Brazilian-spirits-led drinks with a Latin America 50 mention.
Order: A spec built around aged cachaça
More Rio bars by categoryCocktail, rooftop, live music — the full Rio index.
See the full list
How Rio drinks with the ocean in mind
Rio's drinking culture is outdoor and ocean-adjacent. The botecos (Bar do Mineiro, Bar Luiz, Belmonte) are working-class neighbourhood bars where you stand at the counter, order a chopp, and watch the city. Aprazivel and Palaphita Kitch are the view-bars worth a planning trip. Cocktail bars run later — most peak between 11 PM and 1 AM.
