Well, in the past I updated a thread on meeting regular girls in Rio but I think it is probably better to branch out into an overall topic of things to do in Rio when you are not mongering, just want to do something different, or indeed want to meet someone. Most of the time you meet some great girls in places where you simply are not looking for them.

So, I will do my best to occasionally post information about good places to check out in Rio. There are soooooooo many!!! Some places I want all to myself, but some I am willing to share :-)

Now I am very lucky in the fact that I am married to an incredibly wonderful and beautiful Brazilian women who gives me enough spaces to enjoy myself. Why? She is quite religious (obviously that influence did not trickle down to me) and she does not like to drink or particularly like crowds or loud music. Where does that leave me? I separated from her and she wanted to return to me bad enough with a caveat - that caveat being that I am who I am, I love going out, drinking, everything she does not - but she would allow me to do what I wanted to do. As a result, I go out about 2-3 times a week with my friends exploring all the various places in Rio. A perfect arrangement....

Anyway, before I go into a long drawn out analysis of my current martial situation (which, I must admit, is perfect) here is this weekend's recommendation:

Evento: Feijoada da Portela
Data/Horário: 06/06/2009 (sábado) - 13:00h
Endereço: Portelão
Cidade: Rio de Janeiro
Detalhes: Uma feijoada especial: ao completar 6 anos de realização, a Feijoada da Portela participa da primeira edição do Viradão Cultural Carioca. A Velha Guarda Show recebe Tereza Cristina.

Every first Saturday of the month there is a Feijoada at Portela (A Samba School). Check it out! Music & plenty of beautiful mulatas dancing!

Now I have to return to my Chopp.....here in Banana Jack's in Ipanama. Buy one get one free, Monday through Friday until 8:00pm!! Getting hammered before going home
.

I also wanted to add a little note about those of you wanting to explore a Baile Funk. What is it? Well, many different Favelas around Rio have a type of nightclub playing Brazilian Funk on Saturday nights. While Favelas in general are very dangerous, the Baile Funk is safe unless raided by the corrupt police. They are guarded by the local drug dealers and violence is not good for business! I started to explore some of the more distant Baile Funk in Jacare (which most Brazilian's say is absolutely crazy), but there is actually one that is pretty safe - Cantagalo, close to Copa where most of you are most likely staying. It starts late, around 2-3:00am. Getting there is easy, just ask a Taxi driver - or write it down on a piece of paper - to take you to Baile Funk in Cantagalo. Unfortunately it looks like it has been tammed somewhat. In the past, there were plenty of guys dancing with guns swinging in the air, but the last time I went it was an organized event with an entry fee of R$20 that included unlimited beers!!!!!!

Do NOT take a camera. If you do, do not take pictures!!!!

Another safe favela to explore on a weekend is Rio dos Pedras....close to Barra de Tijuca. They have a Baile Funk as well.

If you want to see guns all over the place, with pistol in the back of guys pockets, rifles swinging everywhere, well then try Jacare, Cidade de Deus (looks like he might have forgotten about this place), or Rocinha. Most of the Baile Funks are safe...believe it or not. If you meet a girl inside Help or the Balcony bar that lives in one of these places, even better. Ask her to take you!

Whilst your insights on the non-pro scene are always useful I think you should point out that it's a long trek out to Portela samaba school in Madureira. I was there when they selected the 2009 samba and while it was worth it (sharing a cab with 3 others) for that I personally wouldn't bother for a daytime feijoada.

I second your recommendation on Banana Jack's. I know the owner and also like to avail of their cheap chopp before heading elsewhere in Ipanema.

Lovingmarvin,

Great thread idea. I throughly enjoy all the information you provide about non-mongering activities. I think the key is to have Brazilian friends (male or female) who include you in their activities.

For example, tonight I was in Lapa with friends listening to Mozart at a Rio Folle Journée concert. I would not have known about it except I have a Brazilian friend who loves classical music. Incindentally, the ticket prices ranged from R$5 - R$20. The concert series ends June 7.

http://www.riofollejournee.com/index.html

thanks fotr the tip Marvin...btw, do you know of any prison tours?

Both of you are right, Portela is a little way from Copa and it does help to have Brazilian friends. But - While I now own a car, plus have Brazilian friends, it did not stop me from exploring places before. I never was up to spending too much money on taxi's or waiting for someone to come along with me, so often I took the metro or bus. Especially during Carnival I went to the majority of Samba schools by metro.

Now that I have lived in Brazil for about 5 years and started to make a decent amount of friends, both male and female, I am finding there to be quite a class divide. Asking friends from Zona Sul to go to a place in Zona Norte is difficult. Most will not go because they consider there to be dangerous and people "to be ugly". My friends from Zona Norte for the most part do not have money to go places other then those that are very cheap and closer to their home (like Olimpo close to Madureira, or Via Show - which really is way the fuck out there).

I think Lapa is probably the most neutral ground for people from both sides of town and the easiest to access for almost anyone, with or without taxi (just take a bus and it gets you there in about 30 minutes or sooner from Zona Sul)

However, I have had quite a bit of fun and met tons of girls in places in Zona Norte. Especially at the Samba Schools or Carnival Activites (like Terreirão do Samba, right by Sambodromo). The great thing about many of these places and special events in Zona Norte is that you will find girls that often do not leave the house that much or cannot be found in clubs in Lapa or Zona Norte.

Tomorrow I am going to see a show of Arlindo Cruz, Marcelo D2 and Zeca Pagodinho at Canecao (close to Rio Sul shopping center).

Saturday is the ultimate party for the Cougar's of Rio - Festa Acorda Amor. Typically held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, this time it has been moved to the first Saturday of June due to a holiday next week. At midnight it should be hopping along. It is located right at the entrance of Barra de Tijuca, after the last tunnel. Here is a link to the website -> http://www.acordaamor.com.br Just to stress again, this is not place to find young bunnies, but rather Cougar's. Made a good friend there, as well as met a couple of continuing bed buddies.

Luckily I have a Brazilian friend now who just absolutely loves to go out - anywhere. He does not drink, so I drive my car to most places and he drives me home after I get hammered. Good arrangement for both of us. It should be noted that Brazil has one of the toughest driving laws in place - Lei Seca. You cannot even have one single drink! But the good news is that the checkpoints are very predictable - Friday and Saturday nights especially, either at entrance to Barra in Gavea, leaving Barra right before the tunnel, and in Flamengo leaving Lapa. Plus they have big baloons that can be seen from a distance and therefore the checkpoints can be easily avoided (which I have one two occassions after having just a couple of beers and not wanting to take a chance)

Want another place close by, with lots and lots of easy girls? Feira de São Cristóvão is an option. Cheap cheap! Best late Saturday night after 11 or midnight. I get hooked up almost any night I go there....but the selection of good looking girls is limited. Most are marginal, but that certainly does not stop me from having fun since I am not looking for someone to marry or have a long time relationship with. This is another place that is very easily explored by just one person, if friends are not available to go.

Other stuff to do this weekend -> http://www.viradaocarioca.com/programacao/dia/05-sexta/

Thanks for the info, LM. There is so, so much to do in Rio. The live music scene in Lapa alone can keep a music lover occupied forever.

I have good friends in Tijuca in ZN. I love going there, and don't understand the fear in most folks eyes when I tell them I'm having dinner in Tijuca. Gente boa!

BTW, I've learned to trust any recommendation Ardgneas makes with respect to drinking. Listen to him, guys. He's a pro.

My thanks as well. Ive entered these websites into my Brazil favorites list. This is the kind of info that makes this board so valuable.

Cheers for the reminder on acordaamor. It's been about 7 years since I was at it when it used to be at the club up the hill in Jardim Botânico. Women were approachable but despite being a fan of cougars never met anyone special to hook up with. Would like to check it out now that it's in Barra and I'm a bit older.

Just to clarify, and prevent the receipt of any lascivious PMs from fellow CHers, I'd like to point out that when Bwana Dik says on a monger board that I'm a pro I believe he's referring to my fondness of a drink or two.

Bwana - Great that you mentioned Tijuca....there is actual a good nightclub there, right across the street from the Garota de Tijuca restaurants. After midnight on Thursday's they have flashback night, live 70-90's American and Brazilian music. I think the name of the restaurant (on the 1st floor) and nightclub is Bucio (not sure of spelling). There are actually quite a few bars on that street and corner. Close to Maracana stadium - on the same street.

So going out with Brazilian friends can be a curse or blessing.... but for the most part I have found the more successful people living in Zona Sul to have the head up their ass and be quite stuck up as it relates to people living outside Zona Sul.

One time my wife invited along one of her Zona Sul friends who was scared half to death going to Tijuca. That drove me a little crazy because she was acting like such an ass! At both the restaurant and nightclub, the people there were normal "zona sul type" of people. That was not good enough for my wife's friend who rarely if ever leaves Zona Sul. So much for inviting her :-)

As you most likely know, Rio is one of the finalist cities for the Olympics. There is an event being planned for Friday in anticipation that Rio has a big chance to win the Olympic bid.

Before the announcement expected around 1 or 2pm, there will be an event on Copa Beach after 10:00am with Lulu Santos and the Samba School Salgueiro. If Rio wins, then this will turn into a big party!!! Especially at night time...around 11:00pm on Copa Beach.

If Rio - with all the crime, lack of infrastructure, etc etc gets the nod, then we'll know that more than a few on the Olympic committee had hourly blowjobs while in town doing their fact finding.

Chicagoans for Rio 2016 -> http://chicagoansforrio.com/

Some comparisons - head to head presented by Chicagoans:
The Marvelous City vs the Second City
Naked People Dancing vs Chubby people eating
etc...

"Rio has a big chance to win".

Actually, Chicago is the overwhelming favorite. Brasil is already getting the WC in 2014 plus Obama is much better campaigner than Lulu.

The IOC will realistically evaluate Rio in 2020 when they see how the planning goes for the WC.

"f Rio - with all the crime, lack of infrastructure, etc etc gets the nod, then we'll know that more than a few on the Olympic committee had hourly blowjobs while in town doing their fact finding."

No doubt that's exactly why the IOC site selection committee is no longer allowed to make site visits to the finalist cities. There were some scandals in the past along these lines. Not sure blow jobs were involved. A few BBBJCIM would do the trick for me.

One clarification on the Copa event - it is actually 11:00am not 11:00pm, before the annoucement.

More than half the folks in Chicago don't want the Olympics. Good thing there's no messy democracy to get in the way of the folks in power.

I have hard time believing the Olympics is worth all of the money a city has to invest. Building huge stadiums that will sit empty, etc, just don't seem like good use of tax payer money. While Rio would be an awesome place to visit olympic events, I do agree with the lack of infrastructure. Additionally, it is an expensive city to begin with. Look at Carnival time... can you imagine how expensive it will be during the Olympics with limited hotel rooms? It is funny, because I know a couple of apartment owners that raised the prices so high for Carnival that they ended up not being rented at all - pretty stupid!

"I know a couple of apartment owners that raised the prices so high for Carnival that they ended up not being rented at all - pretty stupid!"

I guess they will have to double the price next year to make up for this year's loss (I'm assuming they are Brasilian).

cincoleche,

You might want to skip lunch. I think you'll have some words to eat

I think that the Olympics are great for developing Countries it force these countries to spend cash on much needed infrastructure. I have seen this in South Africa with the world cup.

nom nom nom

In the end, I don't care. I won't go to Rio for the Olympics and I wouldn't have gone anywhere else for them. Been once and that was enough.

Hopefully everyone will still be in a festive mood when I come down later this month. I want some Olympic-quality sex.

Well, Africa and Antarctica are the only two continents never to have been awarded an Olympics. Looks like Isawal is going to be pretty busy trying to win one for the home team! Just in case I want to be the first to request a room at his house, should he succeed. Let's all plan to meet their 2020!

PS: everyone bring lots of Viagra

Well, by now you know Rio won. It was a great party on the beach of Copa!

Tomorrow (saturday) it is Portela for lunch, Feijoada..around 3:00pm. In the evening there is Afro Reggae at Portala, around 6pm. Should be great!

After midnight Salguerio!!!

What a fucking awesome place to live and be!!!!

Tonight I am going to a show for Sorriso Morroto in Canecão

I love Rio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im a bit surprised that nobody mention the 9 hole minigolf course in the gaeva mall

How about the Gavea Jockey Club...a day at the races is always an event.

Pictures from this weekend - Friday during the Olympic annoucement, followed by Feijoada in Portela Samba School and then a night in Salgueiro.

Both Portela and Salgueiro were packed!

Copa beach - Friday afternoon:






Portela Samba School - Feijoada- Saturday afternoon - Notice the girl in the middle of the photo I was flirting with. Her and I ended up talkin afterwards








Salguerio Samba School - Saturday night. Met two hotties here as well (sorry, no photos that I will publicly share)



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(Message edited by lovingmarvin on October 05, 2009)

A little update on the night scene.... Asa Branca in Lapa is back. It used to be an awesome place to pick-up girls dancing Forro, until they changed and upclassed the place. Subsequently it was dead. Recently they have started to play Forro again and as a result it starting being full again on Saturday's. Went there yesterday at midnight and there was a good crowd, that peaked between 12:30 - 2:00am. Lots of single girls.

Also, I am particulary fond of Barril 8000. There are two very distinct different ones located in Barra de Tijuca. One is the perfect date and just hang-out place and it is located in Downtown Shopping. On Saturday around 11:00pm there are a couple of brothers that play live music. They are very funny, play with the crowd, and just play awesome Brazilian music.

Then there is another Barril 8000 located at the end of Barra de Tijuca beach. It is a little out of the way (Further then Barra Shopping), but on Friday and Saturday they have live Pagode, Samba, Funk, and Hip Hop. This one has more of a nightclub feel.

Neither is particually good for meeting girls, but fun to hang-out at especially with a girlfriend or wife.

There is also a new nightclub that opened right next door to Asa Branca in Lapa.

Also, most Samba Schools are in full swing now on Saturdays. For an easy one to get to (probably the easiest), try Salgueiro. It is located in Tijuca...

Thanks for the info. Good shit.

One additional comment about "Downtown Shopping"... it has by far one restaurant with the best buffet in town, called Galeria Gourmet. It is owned by the same people as Porcao. So a Friday or Saturday evening (Saturday is better), starting with a huge dinner at Galeria Gourmet, followed by Barril 8000 (aprx 11:00pm), is quite enjoyable. They also have a cinema there as well. Then to top it off, there is Nuth Barra close by, as well as Hard Rock Cafe which has "Flashback" music night on Friday's. Hard Rock is one shopping center over, Nuth is just down the street as well.

If you want to see plenty of young pretty Barra girls, there is also a place called Sao Nunca close to Nuth (http://www.botequimsaonunca.com.br). Downstairs they have a live band playing Samba or Pagode, and upstairs is Night club. I like this place quite a bit as well.... but on the weekends incredible long lines can form outside, so get there early enough. If you want to pick-up girls there, however, you better have the looks and charm to go along with it....

I have not updated this thread in awhile, but certainly been going out alot.

Wanted to update everyone on a place in Lapa that has plenty of easy girls to pick-up, with a few GDP's mixed in. Sorry, I do not remember the name but it is easy to find. Right next to Asa Branca (which is also coming back to life on both Friday and Saturday, peaking Saturday after midnight) a couple of bars to the right - facing Asa Branca - there is a nightclub on the second floor with a balcony. Plenty of people hanging out front - Free for girls to get in and R$10 for guys.

Be forewarned - A shit hole, packed, and hot... but plenty of easy girls and GDP's I recognize from other haunts in Ipanema and Copa. Except here they seem to be out to grab a gringo, which translates into free action. Playing a stupid gringo sometimes has benefits :-)

Been there a few times...just scored a freebie this last Saturday. Started talking to two girls - both friends - made out with one and somehow ended up in a hotel in Copa with the other at the end of the night. This is the 2nd time this has happened here.

the next time I am in Lapa I'll pay more attention to the name and post it...I was already somewhat comfortable from a drinking perspective, so details started to escape me.

Wednesday, for happy hour, the action seems to have moved to Passeio Publico (Centro, on Rio Branco). Packed by 9:00pm....best to get there a little before. A complete Brazilian crowd... until 9:00pm they play Axe, followed by a live band playing Pagode and Samba..then Hip Hop, Funk, etc.

Women are VIP (Free) until 9:00. Men pay R$25 with the flyer (R$30 without). The discount flyer can be printed at http://www.passeiodance.com.br/

After you get in (and probably the reason why it is so packed now) there are the R$1.00 Skol beers combined with girls getting in for free.

This is not a place for beginner gringo's to pick-up girls...you will need to be "Carioca", flirting, etc, skills.... got the attention of four girls the last time, making out with one in the end the last time i was there (last week). Now that I have been there a few times, starting to get to know people and get invited over to talk. In the beginning it was a little slow to start..... but certainly fun