Sao Paulo
São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU) is South America's busiest airport and operates three terminals (T1, T2, T3) — T3 is the international one and where the polished drinking lives. The GOL Premium Lounge in T3 runs a proper Brazilian-spirits showcase: cachaça by the glass (Yaguara, Avuá, the Leblon range), Brazilian craft beer rotation, and the Aperol Spritz that South Americans now insist on as the default airport drink. SkyTeam Elite Plus or Star Alliance Gold required for the corresponding lounges.
its own right · $$$
A Casa do Porco is Jefferson and Janaina Rueda's celebrated Centro restaurant — and the bar programme is a serious draw in its own right, especially the basemen
City centre · $$$
Astor is the Vila Madalena flagship of the SubAstor group — a brasserie-style restaurant on the ground floor with the speakeasy SubAstor in the basement.
Jardim Paulista · $$
Bar Balcao draws a steady local crowd in Jardim Paulista. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Jardins · $$$$
Baretto-Londra at Hotel Fasano draws a steady local crowd in Jardins. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Plays for Sao Paulo Airport: post-security, pre-security, lounges, and the airport-hotel cheat code.
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Looking beyond Sao Paulo? See our guide to the best airport bars worldwide, or compare airport bars city by city.