ok, i just want to see a few pics from TA and Help
Azguy, I hope your camera is working . . .

spoke to Jeff today, we are all in for a trip in May, so don't do anything to get yourself in trouble with the policia.

MBL's not 'half bad" looking! Come to think of it she not "half good" looking either.

Jag

Bwana, I would pass it along but its all cleared up now : )

Whitty, you know me, I am Mr. Mellow, although there are a couple of shit slingers that I will be giving a tune up before I leave. Fuckers got me the other night. AZ

Azguy-

That's good news. Better living through chemistry!

Fucking shit flingers! Finding a fresh dog turd somewhere (never hard in Copa!) and rub it in their hair!

I've yet to get hit in all my times in Rio, but that probably has more to do with the hideously dirty shoes I wear on those rare occasions when I'm not wearing Havianas than with my skill in spotting them.

Pepper spray the cleaner when he comes up and bends down to clean your shoe.

A few months ago this place was going to close.

What happened to this place closing?

Is that off the table now?

MM

Of course it's not closing. This place is supposed to close every Feb/March, that's how you know it's the end of summer in Rio.

Thanks. IT was a big discussion for awhile.

MM

While there has been long standing discussions about 'Help' closing, it kicked into high gear with an article in the local paper earlier this year that stated that it would be closed. Even the waiters at 'Help' thought they would be closing if you had asked them at that time. Not sure exactly what the latest status is, but it certainly keeps hopping along and one can only hope that it will never close. But, 'Help' with the nature of its patrons will certainly always be on someones target list - especially the local resident living around it. Most locals I have spoken to have thought it was going to close as well.

I think at this point - who knows? It is after all Brazil. Nothing is ever like it appears, payoffs and corruption are a part of the culture. Towards the beginning of the year 'Help' started hosting "Globo" parties, which brought many rich and famous people into 'Help'. I am sure there is alot of behind the scenes "wheeling and dealings" to keep it going.

definitely makes sense

Went to Help every night this past week and must say I noticed it is far less crowded that I've seen it over the past 6 years. Not alot of dudes- especially Americans- and at one point early on it seemed there were more dudes that garotas.

Talent was lacking compared to prior trips and you had to really hunt for the hotties. That being said, I always left with what I felt was a thoroughly hot garota. It only takes one.

Thanks for the HELP view. Have the Termas gotten creative or the same old biz is bad, so we're raising prices. Are the GDP's more willing to meet after work? God I miss the little pieces of paper and "Somente para voce, mi amor"

C'mon man give us the newz Air fares are rock bottom. I'm itching where I need the "Brasileira Bounce" with the best view in civilization and a wake up "Hoovering".

Are the Taxistas asking if you are voting for Obama.

I must say that HELP was the worse I had ever seen it. Men out numbered women 2 to 1. Nothing but 5 and 6. A few 8s, but there seemed more interested in drinking and dancing...

Hey guys,
Sorry if this has been discussed but I read on UOL.com and Globo.com that club Help was scheduled to close end of May. Just wanted to see if anyone could verify this. I know how often in the past this has been rumored but the latest articles I read on them seem to be pretty convincing.

Thanks in advance!!!

it closes every night...but somehow opens up the next evening

Thawk127,
Review the Chat board under the following post:

HELP did indeed close... - Jaguar 10:49:45 05/18/09


(Message edited by copperfieldkid on June 01, 2009)

HELP is NOT closed. It was closed for a private party one day over the weekend, but it is still open!! I was at TA last night and things were hoping along as normal.

Lovingmarvin,
Thanks bro!

Copperfieldkid,
Forgive the ignorance but I havent really frequented the site much lately. I tried to find Jaguar's post in the chatroom but was unable. I did notice that you said "chat board" so I am not sure if there is a difference. Care to explain? Thanks!

Copperfieldkid,

Just found it. Thanks anyway!!

Thawk127,

The two main areas used are Chat [where jag posted] and the discuss section [1 day search or 3 day search] Chat is basically just that, the discuss areas are more for reports and information for later reference or review. See upper left screen for chat or the left side of page for discuss. Keep in mind the discuss subjects disappear after 24 hrs of being posted, sometimes a 3 day search will pull of recent discussions without going into the archives. I hope this clarifies things. I refer to it as the 'front side' [chat] and 'backside' [discuss]

CFK

well if jag or cfk said that they spoken to the manager of help and said that he told them that they just decided that they would stay open for another five years that would make me jump on the first plane to rio.otherwise i dont see any reason to be worried for the wellfare of the chiclets,flower and photograph.sales people outside help.

what the emptiest thing in rio?
so it well be there on my next trip

Iggy56,

what the emptiest thing in rio? - my wallet!!

CFK

cfk
i was thinkin in terms that always are in rio,and the answer then would be the museums,but when you are there in rio you`re right
iggy

CFK,

Thanks man. You clarified everything.

Last night I tried to enter Help around 2:00am and could not. All the tickets were sold out and the place was packed.... First time ever this has happened to me. Some regular Brazilians waiting outside to get in. I would assume now that the word is getting out that they will be closing soon is attracting quite a few folks.

Probably correct in your assumption about the word being out.

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on November 08, 2009)

LM, are you sure it wasn't one of the invitation only parties they sometimes hold at Help on a Sat. night?

Nope, this was not a invitation only party... It was just full. I asked several 'Help' employees. There were a bunch of regular Brazilians waiting to get in as well. 'Help' has quite a bit of notoriety with the locals and many have always been curious about going inside (especially women), but were embarrassed. Now with the closing, I think they see it as the last opportunity to get to know it.

Now, we will see if the closing date, just like so many other ones, will actually happen!!

I will be going there tonight with one of my Carioca friends (a girl, not girlfriend) who has a very good regular job but has always been curious as well. She asked me to accompany her, as she did not want to go inside alone as her other friends still can't the courage to go inside.

Tried to hit 'H' on Tuesday, which did not work out do to the huge Black-out in Rio. Went there last night and it was a relatively good scene. Seems like a lot of guys standing around, but not many takers. Lots of beautiful girls, however. Out of 5 that approached me, 3 were from Sao Paulo. Ended up hanging out with an incredible hot girl from Sao Paulo. Told her upfront that i was not interested in a program (little hard with a wife at home and I would not pay 'Help' prices for a quick stint in a motel, I use the Balcony bar for that). She was super cool... she only asked for one drink, R$8. The Bar guy ended up giving her a triple shot..man, it seemed like the glass was 75% full of vodka and the rest fruit drink. Needless to say she got hammered quite quickly... we made out some, hugging, etc, she ended up just hanging out with me without the expectation of a program - somewhat rare! Good night for me, however!

Well, I asked the men bathroom attendant (who has been around forever) if this weekend was it and they were really going to close. His response was interesting - he did not believe they were going to close and the closing was going to drag out until after Carnival.

Well, we will see.... just out of curiosity I will drive by on Sunday night to see if Saturday was truly closing night :-)

Sure will miss the place....even when I have not picked up a girl to take home, I always found a good time in there regardless.

Today there is a sign hanging in the front of Help - basically a pleading from the employees to the city to allow them to stay open at least through Carnival to avoid them being unemployed during the Christmas and Carnival time.

Does seem somewhat cruel to close the place during the peak season in Rio.

lets see what happens!

Won't they be first on the list for all the great new jobs at the Museum of Sight and Sound?

Does anyone know why the Windsor Group has recently been mentioned as the operators of Help & TA? There was never any mention of them before.

FYI, they operate a number of Hotels around Copa and recently purchased the old Le Meridian Hotel.

How shocking....'Help' has not closed yet... I am just sooooooo surprised...yeah right! Anyway, maybe we are in luck and they will indeed leave them alone at least until after Carnival. Carnival time is a blast in Help as girls from all of the country come to visit, take their month long vacations from their regular jobs, to earn a little side cash...

Was in Help last night with a couple of visiting friends from Sao Paulo. Some incredibly beautiful girls in there....some real lookers. Cost to enter is up to $R50 after midnight and R$40 before. Today it is R$70 to enter. Beers are R5.00

After talking to a few employees, they have been given January 2nd as the closing date....so lets see what happens. Regardless if this dates passes once again, Help is certainly going to close sooner then later.

70R to enter? 5R for a beer? I am almost afraid to ask how much a Vodka & Red Bull costs in there.

..and can you imagine the cost of the girls??? I did not even bother to ask. Of the three girls that chatted to me, two were from Sao Paulo and one from Amazonia- drop dead gorgeous, but I know they would have cost a bundle and bolted out of the door as soon they could.

Yesterday there was a big sign of an auction hanging outside Help. The auction took place yesterday and the girls told me last night was the last night they were open. Staying in for a couple of nights to chill and relax, so I won't be able to verify if this 100% accurate and Help is now officially closed....I did see the auction sign, however, when I drove by yesterday.

So where do you think the girls will end up going? I doubt they stop working. Some of my fondest memories are sitting outside, eating dinner, as the girls circle like sharks, looking for that familiar face, a drink perhaps . . .

Does the action go to the balcony bar? Do they start circling Alcazar (spoke with a buddy about this today, the Alcazar could make some serious cash and take advantage of the situation).

What do you guys think? Anyone hear anything. Heading back in May and hopefully by then something will emerge . . .

they aint not working...its not like the US where the profession is really by choice...

many theories - Balcony gets bigger, MP more packed , everything spread out, the hotel down by Princess Isabelle...

i'm hoping one primary place opens up. its a freakin goldmine and anyone can see how long it takes to shut a place down.

Help is closed. At least that is what my friend told me. He passed by there this weekend, while I was in Buzios. He also told me that the Balcony Bar was exploding at the seams with many Help Girls. I think many non-Rio girls will simply go home...some might stay, but I believe the majority of the Paulistas, etc, will just pack up and try to find greener pastures or a change in professions.

If the Balcony Bar does stay packed with Help girls that will certainly work in our favor...the ratio of guys to girls is low and demand overall low, which should keep prices reasonable for now. Help prices were getting out of hand....

To take it even further, I just read that the demolition of Help will start this week.

I have an embedded (although not military) source on the ground as we speak. He tells me there are turf wars breaking out between Balcony girls and lockedout Help girls. This will be interesting.

Since the owner of Help also owns (or co-owns) the Windsor hotel chain, and since he's purchased the old Meridien Hotel in Leme, which used to have a nightclub on the top floor, maybe he'll reopen Help there and turn the hotel into the largest putaria in the world.

The brewing situation at Balcony should be a show on Animal Planet. A sudden loss of habitat forces one pack of animals to immediately migrate to a spot already occupied by another pack of animals. There's not enough space or food for both packs, so the battle for survival begins.

Maybe we'll look back in a year's time and say "I remember when you get get a really ugly garota out of Balcony for R$150 for all night".

Will Help's demise:

1) upgrade the talent at Balcony?
2) pollute the talent at Balcony?
3) cause prices to jump?
4) cause prices to fall?
5) cause all hell to break loose?

I think just for the drama itself and watching the girls compete it will be worthwhile going to the Balcony Bar now... tried to motivate myself to do so tonight, but I am just feeling to lazy to leave my apartment after an active weekend.

The Balcony Bar can be super great at times with some hot girls, other times it seems to be overrun with Favelita's. The latter seems to be more the case before the closing of Help. There is, however, one super hot girl from Argentina in there prowling... a few nice blonds.

I am not sure if the former top Help talent will migrate to the Balcony. The favelita's certainly have a stronger personality and will try to drive them out.

Price wise, I still believe prices will drop or stay the same - there were too many girls in there looking for guys before. With more competition, I just see them getting more desperate. The last time a few of them were complaining that they did not have customer's for a couple of days and that the guys were just to cheap to spend money, or just wanted to drink

But then again most of those girls don't have too much intelligence or common sense, so it will be a free for all....certainly a show worthwhile watching.

I guess what happens at Balcony will partly depend on what happens to all those guys who came to Rio primarily because the liked Help. I met more than a few guys who'd never set foot in a termas, and whose entire experience in Rio consisted of Meia Pataca and Praia das Putas during the day and Terraço/Help at night. If a significant percentage of those guys stop coming down, it could benefit the remaining mongers.

One thing is for sure, Balcony is a pretty small place. I'm thinking less than half the tables as TA had, and the inside area can't really hold too many people. It's clearly not a Help replacement.

My guess is that the girls will just start scattering to all the different restaurants along Atlantica. The government wanted Help closed because it looked bad to them. Congrats, now the club monger and puta scene will be spread out much more than it was before. We know that the restaurants really can't kick garotas out, but the girls can't just sit around at them without ordering. They'll be desperate for a while to be sure and the restaurants will have to figure out individually if they want to encourage monger/puta business or not. TA certainly made a killing on it for years, Meia Petaca and Balconey to a lesser extent but still high compared to all the other places.

It will be interesting to see. The higher talent that only did Help may end up trying out termas, the skanks don't have that option. Maybe some of them will end up in fast sex joints, but a lot work during the day now. As far as termas garotas who went to Help when programs were light at the termas, they'll probably be more willing to make afterhours dates with customers and will actually start showing up at a better than 50/50 ratio. On time, too.

As far as a single new place replacing Help, I don't see it happening.

It is almost too incredible too believe....but it is true: I had 7 calls from an unknown number on my cell since yesterday (I never answer unless I know who is calling). But the frequency got me curious and I called back about an hour ago - It was a Balcony Bar girl that saved my number previously. Believe it or not, she asked me for money to help her buy some new shoes and a sexy dress. I asked why and she said she was calling all "her friends" to ask for help - not sure how I fall into the friends category. She told me about how the Help girls have invaded the Balcony Bar and she needed better clothes to compete. She also told me that she was sending all her money to her baby, not enough work, bla bla.... While the request initially stunned me, I did eventually tell her in very clear terms that it was an outrageous request and that there was no fucking way that I would give her any money.... just when I think I have heard it all, something new comes along....

but getting back to my previous post....now it has peaked my curiosity...I will be heading over to the Balcony Bar later tonight..

My gringo neighbor told me that he pulled a girl out of the Balcony bar for R$50 yesterday....she needed money for a bus ticket to go home. Not sure if this true....but it had a ring of truth to it :-)

R$50 for a Balconey/Help girl

Now if the Termas cut their prices 50% Rio may become affordable again to cheap folks like me who gave up years ago