The Copa, a combination of dance club, lounge and restaurant, has a number of special parties. The cute waiters, kitsch decor and cocktails have everything to do with Copacabana. Bunker is a club next door to Le Boy with 3 dance floors, a number of special parties, some mixed or gay. La Cueva, the grandpa of gay clubs in Copa, is where it's always been - next to Brigitte Blair theater. Fosfobox is a new addition to the Copa scene that already has a loyal following. It's a mixed club, unpretentious and fun.

Ipanema does not have any big gay dance clubs, but it does live up to its gay reputation. Galeria Cafe on Rua Teixeira de Mello and Dama de Ferro a little further down, on Rua Vinicius de Morais are small and sophisticated clubs. Special parties including T-Dances, and guest DJ's from Europe are part of the scene.

Rio has a tradition of memorable circuit parties. The first ones happened in the 80's at Tivoli Park around Lagoa. B.I.T.C.H., meaning Barbies in Total Control Here, used to be loads of fun. Tivoli Park was later put down, but idea caught on. Eventually it was turned mainstream, and today these special parties are a top alternative for weekends. Some are very big, and feature live music shows, and DJ's from dance capitals of the world.

Most circuit parties happen in the downtown area, they may take place at the docks, an old railway station, or even a beach or farm off-Rio... X-Demente parties are always a good bet. They happen once or twice a month, usually at Fundição Progresso.  Ru-Paul, Martha It's-Raining-Men Walsh, and 80's porn-star Jeff Stryker have already performed here.

Cabaret Casanova is one of the most traditional gay clubs in Rio. It features popular drag and stripper shows, and it's been around for over seven decades. Star Club more commonly known as Buraco da Lacraia is a riot. There are 2 x 1 beer specials served by waiters in nothing but aprons! There's a chance to meet people from the suburbs, trannies, and guys that just wanna have fun away from posers, in a beyond casual atmosphere.

In Barra the coolest spot is off a giant hypermarket named Freeway, in a combination of kiosk, bar and dance club named Up Turn. And if you're feeling a bit more adventurous go out west all the way to 1140, the huge dance club in Jacarepagua, and run into a lot of faces you wouldn't see on South-Side clubs. It's best to go with a local that will give you have a ride. Offer to share the gas, as the taxi would cost you a fortune.

As Rio does not have a party rag, the best source for the parties happening on a particular weekend is weekly Veja Rio, and newspapers O Globo and Jornal do Brasil. On Friday they come with an entertainment supplement that includes a gay section. Since all of these sources are available in Portuguese only, ask a cute local for assistance with the translation. Cool boutiques in Ipanema are a good source of flyers, that are also handed out at Farme Gay and Posto 9 Beaches.