Eclectic. That’s one way of describing Lapa. Start planning your night out now, with traditional bars, specialist beer bars, live samba houses, “sweatboxes” and throw in two of the best show venues in the city: Fundição Progresso and Circo Voador. And because it is so cosmopolitan, Lapa attracts not just Cariocas but people from around the world who end up partying the night away in Lapa’s enchanting streets. In this list we have chosen the five best bars that are at the centre of the area’s buzz. Eat drink and be merry.
This is one of the few centenarian bars left in the city. It’s not by chance that City Hall has designated it a Rio cultural heritage site. Founded in 1907, this mix of bar and restaurant in Lapa serves some of the best German food in the city. There is the simply irresistable croquete de carne, beef enveloped in a crispy exterior with a creamy centre (R$32 for 10 pieces). Amongst the mains don’t hesitate to try some of the classics: the Kassler which comes with sauerkraut and a delicious potato salad (R$80) and the unbeatable meatloaf and lentils (R$56). Both dishes will comfortably feed two diners. All of this, of course, makes a perfect companion to the excellent Brahma draught (R$7). Note: the locale has two entrances with the main one being on Avenida Mem de Sá and the other or Rua do Lavradio.
Address
: Avenida Mem de Sá, 90, Lapa
Phone
: +55 (21) 2509-5943
Schedule:
Mon 11:30 às 00:00, Tue 11:30 às 00:00, Wed 11:30 às 00:00, Thu 11:30 às 00:00, Fri 11:30 às 00:00, Sat 11:30 às 00:00
Housed in a charming old Lapa house built in 1902, tradition is really limited to the bar’s exterior. The interior’s décor is something entirely different. The bar is divided into different beer‐themed decorated with everything from model planes, motorbikes and even a Land Rover. Amongst this chaotic this backdrop it’s still possible to enjoy one of the most complete beer menus in the city. Over 600 different labels have featured on the beer list here. One one the list now, all the way from New Zealand, is the Moa 5 is perfect for hops‐lovers (R$35.90 for 375ml). Make sure you keep an eye on the bar’s musical lineup as they often put on good shows.
A classic end‐of‐the‐night haunt in Lapa. You just have to take a look at the opening hours. Here doors remain open until 5am, more than enough time to get in the one last drink before hitting the hay. And there is no shortage of good drink deals. As the name suggests, this bar is all about Cachaça and legend has it there are over a thousand different labels. Go up to the bar and ask for a suggestion or alternatively try their excellent ginger‐infused cachaça shots (R$).
Opened in 2015, this cute little bar in the midst of all the classic Lapa haunts has carved out it’s own corner among the competition. The bottles on the wall bathed in a bright green glow hint to the house’s speciality: beer. 16 draught beer taps are on hand to keep the punters happy. There are also 100 different bottle labels that complete the beer offering. But if you’re more of the cocktail persuasion, barman Vinícius Nascimento has put together some corkers such as the Booze hot berries, a fusion of gin, red berries, sálvia mint, peper and tonic water (R$23.90). Moving over to food, be sure to try the Coxinha crispy, shredded pieces of chicken enveloped in a crispy breaded coating (R$24.90 for 6 pieces). The house also serves up sumptuous hamburgers including the Booze special burger: 180g of beef covered in blue cheese and onion chutney and served in a rustic bread bun (R$28).
Another Lapa beer stronghold, it started of as a no nonsense, no frills bar typical of the area but after a complete make over 6 years ago it has taken on different airs. And even better still it has gained a new and elaborately put together menu with 250 different beer labels. Imported labels such as the award‐winning Belgian Tripel Karmeliet (R$32 for 330ml) share the stage with local favourites such as the aromatic Maracujipa, an IPA from brewery 2Cabeças (R$32 for 500ml). On the appetisers menu, the tasty mortadella croquette is exceptional (R$19.90). Another great shout is the sanduíche de boteco, a hearty sandwich with breaded steak, a fried egg, mozzarella, letuce, tomato and onions (R$19.90).
