Editorial
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.
Lagoa
Catete
Lapa
Leblon
Copacabana
Ipanema
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.
Global Cities Editor — Bangkok to Buenos Aires. Cultural context, not just cocktail tourism.