Live music venues, museums, squares and cultural groups make up the musical offering in the city’s port district. Outdoor samba, hip hop, soul and rnb parties, jazz, musica popular brasileira and the beat of samba drums all contribute to Porto Maravilha’s soundtrack. This recently‐renovated area of Rio has its roots in Afro‐Brazilian culture something that is celebrated to this day. Whether you’re going for a post‐work happy hour or to party the weekend away, the beat of this area never stops.
In distant times, there used to be a small beach (praia) that reached the walls of São Francisco Church and that is where the spot gets its name. Today, instead of the lapping of the waves, it is the sound of beating drums that can be heard from various different groups and collectives that feature in the square’s free music events. Acarajazz brings to the stage instrumental and dance group Bondesom whose set is always pays homage to music from Bahía. On Mondays it is the turn of Som das Artes, an iniciative created by local inhabitants and business owners who put on shows, music and dance workshops as well as a handicraft fair. And from December be sure not to miss the lively carnival rehearsals of samba group Escravos de Mauá.
Address
: Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, , Saúde
It was at the foot of the Morro da Conceição neighborhood that the story of carioca samba begun, in a region historically referred to as Little Africa. The musical heritage endures to this day and, even better still, events are free. The lively outdoor samba takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 6pm. On the second Saturday of every month there is Baile Black Bom where you can hear the best of funk, hip‐hop and RnB spun by some of the best DJs around.
Tucked underneath the MAR, in the space created by the building’s stilts, is an excellent little venue for some really cool parties that generally run from 6 until 10pm. And even better still, they are free. The special summer program takes place between November and February, without doubt the liveliest period of the year around there with live bands and Brazilian DJs. But make sure you arrive early so you don’t end up stuck outside. Throughout the rest of the year there is no shortage of free shows so be sure to remain on the ball.
Every Tuesday through Sunday this old colonial house at 1857 Rua Sacadura Cabral hosts live music. Opened in 2004, Trapiche is one of the most charming and authentic music venues in the city, and also one of the very first to migrate to the Port District. The space has typically high ceilings, beautiful colonial décor and caipirinhas worthy of a good samba, and which also go down well with the tidbits served up from the kitchen.
This is an excellent happy‐hour option, whether your method of intoxication is via bubbly, the house’s speciality, or a good old beer. The venue’s musical lineup includes a house DJ playing pop/rock (Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays), live music (Thursdays) and a lively karaoke takes place on Wednesdays where you have access to your very own live band.
