Everybody knows where Help is. Help is ground zero of the evening sex scene in Copacabana. Rumored to be the largest disco in Latin America, it is the favorite hangout of working women in Rio and the men looking for them. Located on Ave. Atlantica, a block from the Othon Palace Hotel, Help gets rocking after midnight, and the crowds don't get heavy until about 1:30. You'll see it all in Help: the good, the bad, the ugly; from the sublime to the absurd. At times it looks like something out of a Fellini movie. If you're looking for someone to spend the night with, this is a good place to come. The crowd starts gathering around 11pm at the outdoor cafe‚ (Terraco Atlantica) next door, and begin drifting in around midnight (admission prior to midnight is discounted). Any earlier and you'll find the place virtually vacant. The admission price has increased over the past few years from 9 to 12 to 16 and now to 20 reais, but inside drinks are quite reasonable (3 reais for a beer), and as I mentioned earlier, Help gives a great exchange rate for your dollars.
Many guys actually never make it into Help because they negotiate a deal at the café outside Help. I have met girls out front who didn't want to go inside (too smoky, too loud, etc.) and just wanted to talk and drink outside before heading back to my hotel. This is a reasonable strategy-the lighting is better outside and you get a better view of your potential partner-but everyone must experience Help at least once.
The disco itself is big-reputedly the largest in South America-and the music tends to be deafening. I hate disco and techno, so I just grit my teeth and bear it as best as I can, but I do get out and dance. The girls appreciate the effort, even if you're a crappy dancer like me. As the evening wears on, the DJs play more samba and less disco. If you want to escape the crowds on the floor, you can head upstairs where there are tables and have drinks and even order from a small menu. The filet mignon sandwich is excellent.
Nearly all (but not all) of the women you see inside will be working girls...they are available. It is the largest "putaria" in Rio! For the most part they won't approach you, especially the stars. They may try to make eye contact and flirt from a distance, but generally you are expected to make the move. I'm constantly amazed at how many guys stand off to the side and seem to expect that the prettiest women will just walk over and say "Take me!" Making contact is pretty easy. Catch her eye, approach her and say hi, ask her if she wants a drink or wants to dance, and that's it. Everything else will follow. Prices are negotiable and get somewhat lower as the evening wears on. Don't be surprised, though, if your friend wants to stay until 3 or so. These women love to dance and have a good time, and some are amazing dancers. They may be working, but they're trying to have fun, too. Expect to pay between 150-250 reais for all night (I hold the line at 250 reais and generally try to pay 200). Many will try to bargain in dollars, and will ask for $100 and up. Some will quote a price and be unwilling to negotiate. What you decide to do is up to you, but most of your fellow hobbyists would appreciate your efforts to keep prices within reason.
Spend some time with the woman before you decide she's the one. There are a lot of great ones at Help, but there are some bad apples as well. Several men have reported being drugged and robbed by their overnight visitors from Help. Exercise caution when accepting a drink from someone else, or leaving your drink unattended. You can often get a pretty good sense of the girl by spending an hour or two with her. If she seems too anxious to leave the disco and consummate the deal, you might ask yourself why, and whether she'll be in a similar hurry to leave your hotel room
Who are the women in Help? Well, they run the gamut. Some are hardcore pros who are there virtually every night. There are a handful of women I've seen almost every time I've been in Help over the past 6 years. Others come one or two nights a week to make some spending money. Others are students financing their education, and still others are girls in Rio on vacation looking for a way to cover their vacation costs. I have met many girls in Help who I'd seen earlier that same evening working in one of the termas (most of which close at 12, giving the girls plenty of time to get to Help). I have also met girls from the boites who come to Help on their nights off. During one trip I met a stunner in Help who dances at Barbarela's every night except Saturdays. On numerous occasions I've left with college girls in town during their semester break. You should probably assume that the girls here are working girls and expect to be paid, even if money never gets mentioned.
When leaving Help for the evening, heed the advice on the signs at the door and do not take one of the cabs waiting out front. They are rip-off artists and will charge you quadruple the actual rate. Walk a block or so in either direction (it's safe if you stay on the sidewalk) and then flag a cab. Do take a cab to your location, though. I know of many guys who have been robbed after leaving Help who decided that it wasn't worth $2 for a 5-block cab ride.
Your hotel is likely to ask your guest to fill out a card and show identification. Some hotels will ask her to leave her ID card at the desk. The Luxore Regente, for example, does this and then calls you before they return her card to make sure there are no problems. This is for your own protection and is pretty standard. I actually find it comforting to know that the hotel will have the girl's ID information should she decide to rip me off. In your hotel room, always use your safe, and keep valuables and extra cash locked up. Most of the girls are honest (I've only once had a problem in countless trips), but it's better not to tempt fate.