We are assuming you are dined and wined

Tha dance scene in Rio starts around midnight

You can start to get ready to hit the clubs around 11, 11:30 p.m. Take your time, there's the taxi ride, the idea is to be there around midnight or so. If you just need the address and phone, use our location map. Click on the address for driving or taxi directions by Google Maps.

Many clubs in Rio have special-theme parties with guest and resident DJ's. Some of these parties have quite a loyal following. As the sometimes change venues, read more about them at

LET'S start with the big clubs

These are the must-go's...

The Week - If you haven't been to Rio in a while, one of the novelties is the arrival of dance club The Week, imported from São Paulo. Based on a renovated historical structure near the docks in the Downtown area, it has been a hit from start. The loyal following of weekend clubbers include Cariocas that used to complain that the dance scene in São Paulo was more fun. Mega parties with guest DJ's are usually on Fridays or Saturdays.

Cine Ideal - Also in the Downtown area, Cine Ideal based on and named after a renovated movie theater. This is another big club with room for more than one thousand revelers. They are open on weekends only, and attractions include resident and guest DJ's, plus a number of special parties.

Le Boy - Next big club is Le Boy in Copacabana's Posto 6, the South end near Ipanema. It is based on the old headquarters of a movie theater. The complex includes a dance club, gay baths and an outdoor bar. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, with a capacity for over 1,000.

club-hopping in Ipanema

Does Ipanema live up to its bohemian spirit?

w club - Call us partial, and see if we care. In Ipanema the first venue that comes to mind is Club W, at the corner of Rua Prudente de Morais and Rua Paul Redfern. This is a sophisticated nightclub with a capacity for about 300 people and a selection of parties that happen all week long.

dama de ferro & galeria cafÉ - There are two smaller clubs in Ipanema that we also cannot forget to mention. Galeria Café is a small dance club on Rua Teixeira de Melo, and they have been around for quite a while – with a loyal following of locals and visitors. Dama de Ferro, on Rua Vinícius de Morais is named after UK’s Iron Lady Margareth Thatcher. They have reputedly the best after-hours parties in town (Saturday to Sunday).

gig & boox - GIG on Rua Visconde de Pirajá, almost corner of Rua Garcia D'Ávila, is a sophisticated lounge where many fun parties happen. Boox is a restaurant and bar, that is also turned nightclub for special parties & events.

Copacabana has a night life of its own

Rio's most eclectic neighborhood for sure!.

fosfobox & la cueva - And we love it. La Cueva, the grandpa of gay clubs in Copacabana, is where it's always been - next to Brigitte Blair theater. Fosfobox is a great addition to the Copa scene, with a number of parties during the week. It's a mixed club, unpretentious and fun.

la girl - It's the only lesbian dance club in town, and the pole dancers will take your breath away. On Mondays the nights are mixed (gay/lesbian) and there's a drag show at 2:30 a.m. Copacabana is also on the list of circuit parties, and some clubs, like Erótica or Atlântico are rented on special nights. More details at