Rio's cocktail scene is shaped by its geography — the bars worth visiting are where the ocean is. The 10 below mix the modern cocktail rooms (Galleto, Aprazível) with the cachaça specialists (Academia da Cachaça) that are essential context for Brazilian drinking.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail 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 cocktail bars in Rio
01 · Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema
$$
Modern · Cocktails
Modern Ipanema cocktail bar. Brazilian-spirits-led drinks with a Latin America 50 mention.
Order: A spec built around aged cachaça
02 · Rio de Janeiro
Leblon
$
Cachaça temple
Leblon cachaça specialist. 100+ Brazilian cachaças. The reference for serious cachaça education.
Order: A flight of three aged cachaças
03 · Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa
$$$
Hilltop · Garden
On a hilltop in Santa Teresa. The view across Guanabara Bay is one of Rio's best.
Order: A caipirinha with the bay view
04 · Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo
$$
Speakeasy · Hidden
Hidden Botafogo speakeasy. Modern Brazilian cocktail technique with serious classical leans.
Order: A drink built around Brazilian aged spirits
05 · Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo
$$
Magic-themed · Modern
Magic-themed Botafogo cocktail bar. Theatrical drinks served with sleight-of-hand.
Order: A signature cocktail with a magic-trick reveal
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06 · Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo
$
Boteco · Empadas
Flamengo boteco famous for empadas. Standing room, working-class atmosphere.
Order: A caipirinha + an empada de palmito
07 · Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo
$$
Sugarloaf view · Pool
On top of YOO2 Rio Botafogo. The best face-on view of the Sugarloaf from a bar terrace.
Order: A frozen caipirinha, Sugarloaf side
08 · Rio de Janeiro
Lagoa
$$
Lagoon · Tropical
On the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon. Tropical-themed bar, exotic-fruit caipirinhas.
Order: A caju caipirinha at sunset
09 · Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa
$
1953 · Boteco
Santa Teresa institution since 1953. Black-and-white photographs cover the walls.
Order: A feijoada + a chopp
10 · Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana
$$
Beachfront · Modern
Modern Copacabana cocktail bar. Brazilian-spirit-led drinks with the beach a block away.
Order: A signature cachaça-led cocktail
More Rio cocktail barsThe full Rio cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Rio cocktailing fits the city
Cachaça is the secret of Rio cocktailing. Academia da Cachaça takes it most seriously. The 10 above are the rooms doing real cocktail work in a city better known for botecos and beach drinks. Most peak between 11 PM and 1 AM.
