On the night of August 5th the eyes of the world will return to Rio de Janeiro. In the Maracanã Olympic delegations from around the world will step under the stadium lights for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games. If you one of the very lucky to get your hands on a ticket here are the best options around the Maracanã to get yourself into the party atmosphere. Even if this isn’t the case this rundown of bars in the Tijuca area is still great to have to hand for other occasions. There are special beers, great appetisers and of course a bit of Carioca spirit.
Opened in 1944, this traditional tavern which has taken the name of the square it is located in is a Rio classic. Get seated at one of the tables that spill onto the pavement outside and ask for a delicious bolinho de feijão (bean cake) or a croquete de carne (beef croquette) that comes with a crispy coating and a creamy interior (R$4 each for both). A hearty feijoada will put a smile on the faces of the hungrier among you (R$29). Ice cold 600ml bottles of Heineken leave the bar in their droves here.
At this stand-up bar in Tijuca you will find the best empadas in the city. And the stream of freshly made batches is constant so rest assured you’re always guaranteed a warm filling. The shrimp empada is the most popular (R$4.90) but there are those that swear by the chicken (R$4.60) and palm heart (R$4.80) versions. Then there is the legendary rice with octopus (R$48 for a half portion and R$82 for a full). The perfect accompaniment is not up for discussion: a Brahma chopp, a perfectly pulled draught beer for R$6 a pop.
Just a stones-throw away from Varnhagen, this bar has a completely diferente concept. Here the selling point is their special beers. There are about 190 different labels proudly displayed in the fridges, adding to the decoration of the bar. If you’d rather have a drink in the open air, there’s a cool outside deck. A proper beer establishment, the most popular lable here is the Hocus Pocus Magic Trap (R$34 for 600ml bottle), a strong golden ale at 9% alcohol. If you’re after something a bit lighter there is the Spanish witbier Estrella Damm Inedit ( R$50 for 700ml bottle). See to your hunger with a delicious linguiça (Brazilian sausage) filled with provolone and covered in lashings of barbecue sauce and dark mustard.
Run by the good-hearted Felipe Quintans, this bar occupies the building that used to house old renowned bar Rio Brasília. In its, uh, daring decoration you’ll notice photos of Julio Iglesias, famous Brazilian politican Leonel Brízola and even the world-champion Real Madrid side of 1960. Get in and order an ice cold Heineken (R$11 for 600ml bottle) and the popular passion fruit smoothie (R$5). For food there is the excellent filled aubergine at R$12 meanwhile the delicious beef “à milanesa” sandwich with melted cheese will only set you back a mere R$14.
Another beer-lovers spot that just reinforces Tiujuca’s bohemian reputation. There are 350 great beer labels which make up the bar’s award-winning menu. For those that aren’t exactly beer experts, in front of each bottle is a little plaque that along with the name provides info likw the country of origin, the level of bitterness, style and the alcoholic content. The cold beers are abundant, but from its small but comprehensive appetisers menu make sure you tru the delicious coxinhas (shredded chicken coated in dough and breadcrumbs) with mustard and curry sauce (R$24 for 8 pieces) or the onion rings (R$29.90).
