Samba and nightlife in Lapa

Lapa is the best-known address of Rio’s nightlife. On Friday and Saturday nights, the streets around the Arches fill with people, music and street vendors.

What you will find

• Samba and choro venues: with live music and a dance floor.
• Street bars: much of the party happens on the sidewalk.
• Music venues: with varied programs, from samba to electronic music.

This guide does not recommend specific venues. Check the week’s program on the venues’ official profiles and on Riotur’s events calendar.

Samba beyond Lapa

• Samba school rehearsals: in the months before Carnival, the schools open their halls (quadras) for rehearsals. In January 2027 there are free technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome, according to Riotur. See Rio Carnival.
• Open-air samba circles (rodas de samba): take place at various spots downtown and in the North Zone; check the current schedule before you go.

Other nights out

The South Zone has bars and botecos in Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, calmer than Lapa. See where to eat.