Lapa is the neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro that concentrates the best options to enjoy the Carioca nightlife.  Located between Santa Teresa and the Historic Center, it was abandoned for a long time and considered as a dangerous neighborhood, but about 20 years ago it resurfaced and is now the place to experience the joy of Brazilian culture! So if you want to live your experience in Brazil to the fullest, welcome to our article Where to go out in Rio de Janeiro? Tips to enjoy the night in Lapa!   [caption id="attachment_17082" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Where to go out in Rio de Janeiro? Tips to enjoy the night in Lapa Lapa is the neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro that concentrates the best options to enjoy the carioca nightlife. / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

Samba and Caipirinha in the streets

Let's start with parties in the streets themselves! To the rhythm of the Samba and with Caipirinha in hand, it's a real spectacle to see how thousands of people give free rein to dance without worries and with catchy choreographies inviting each passer-by to participate without stopping. It appears spontaneously and can last a long time, depending on the reaction of the audience. There are no rules, just follow your instincts and learn from the most experienced, the lyrics and the rhythm of the songs. Although these street parties often serve as a Before to any parties in bars they often become so lively that they end up being the center of attention and the rest of the night will be spent right here. Around the whole show, we will find mobile drink stands where fresh beer is the crowd's favorite drink, as well as typical snacks. It's a good idea to try the "Bolinhos de Bacalhau", which are exquisite cod croquettes! There is also the "Coxinhas", which are small fried treats like shrimp empanadas.    Travel tips: enjoy a wonderful Brazilian samba show and its passions with Daytours4u!    

The streets not to be missed

In Lapa, we can mention 3 main streets where most of the parties are concentrated. Lavradio, Riachuelo and Meme de Sá streets. Among the most famous bars are the Rio Scenarium, Circo Voador, Carioca da Gema, among others. The latter also has a "Bloco da rua" which is the carnival of the people, the one that is danced in the streets and in which the whole city participates. It is different from the famous Sambódromo. All these places are always in great demand by the public, so if you don't want to stay outside waiting for more than an hour to get in, you have to arrive early enough. One good recommendation is the "Sacrilegio" bar where there are not many tourists, its public is rather local and you can live one night as if you had lived in Rio for years. Among the recommendations to enjoy the night without worrying too much, avoid wearing objects of great value in plain sights like gold chains and flashing watches for example. Mainly to avoid any recklessness. And the best way to get there, and to leave during the night, is to take a taxi or a Remis such as Uber or 99Taxis, which is widely used by Brazilians. There are bus stops and the metro is a few blocks away but it is not recommended at night. That said, if you take your precautions you will enjoy a crazy night in this lively neighborhood!  Most nightclubs are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 pm, on Thursday they are open until 3 am, Friday and Saturday are the busiest days when the party goes on until 4 am! The most famous at the moment is the "Lapa 40 Graus", which is sold out every night. It has 3 levels, the first and the last one with live music and even samba classes on the 3rd floor! And on the second level, there are billiard tables.   Travel tips: Want to know what to do during the weekends in Rio de Janeiro? We tell you everything!   [caption id="attachment_17083" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Where to go out in Rio de Janeiro? Tips to enjoy the night in Lapa The emblematic Lavradio Street is one of the streets where most parties are concentrated. / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

What to eat?

Once the party is over, before you return to your accommodation, you can go and eat in many of the shops that serve 24 hours a day. Just a few meters away from the bars and nightclubs mentioned, we have, for example, the Nova Capela, which offers really tasty and generous dishes. They can be perfectly shared and their prices are affordable. In general, all dishes are accompanied by rice and farofa (which is toasted cassava flour combined with many other ingredients). As you can see, these are not light dishes, on the contrary, they are full of energy. Ideal to recover everything you would have lost dancing!    

Lapa, the heart of Rio and Samba

Rio de Janeiro is world-famous for its hectic and energetic daily life by the sea. Its postcards of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are known all over the world. But above all, we are talking about his music! Samba is a rhythm that is appreciated all over Brazil and it’s here that it reaches its peak. Lapa is the heart of Samba, the heart of Rio, of its bohemian artistic movement, of the emergence of new styles, performers and musicians. Its social life doesn’t go unnoticed, every bar in the neighbourhood is transformed into a lively chatting place, with bombastic gestures, broad smiles and temperatures that never drop. Here we will find options for every pocket. You don't even have to sit at a table. Just stand on the main streets and we will be part of your movement. If you choose the carnival season, remember that during those days, the streets of the neighbourhood are a world of people in constant motion. The funniest costumes can be found here, and foam spray is part of the daily scene.   Travel Tips: Discover the 5 Things That Happen When You Visit Rio De Janeiro for the First Time!   [caption id="attachment_17084" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Where to go out in Rio de Janeiro? Tips to enjoy the night in Lapa Lapa is the heart of Rio, its bohemian artistic movement, the emergence of new styles and musicians. / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]    

What to do before the party?

If you arrive in the neighborhood before it gets dark, you can take some nice pictures in the Lapa Arches, which is the typical image of this place. These arches were, in the beginning, the aqueduct that supplied the water of the city. Then, when its function changed, the Santa Teresa tramway, which everyone knows as "Bondinho", started to pass through it. This is how the inhabitants of the area were able to get to the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Then do not miss the Selaron Steps. It’s named after the Chilean artist who decorated it entirely with mosaics he received from different parts of the world. Sitting on it and taking a nice picture is a must! It requires a little effort because it has more than 200 steps and is 125 meters high. And finally, the convent of Santa Tereza, which belongs to the order of the Barefoot Carmelites. The Bondinho and the Selaron Steps has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. If you still have a little time, you can also see the municipal theatre, Rio Cathedral and many antique shops. Next to them is Rio's first confectionery shop. The famous Confiteria Colombo takes us back in time to the beginning of the last century. The aesthetics of the place keeps its original decoration intact. Even its dishes, tables and lounges are among the most beautiful you can find. At night, once you get to this neighborhood, you will find people of different ages, locals or foreigners, artists or office workers, but all with the same spirit, looking for good music and fiery dancing. Some play music in the streets and the instruments are not always the classics. Often it is improvised with what is at hand! The important thing is to keep the rhythm. Each band has its own clothes, which are on sale so that you can take home the t-shirt of your unforgettable evening as a souvenir or, in CD format, the compilation of songs that you will listen to over and over again when you get home.   Travel tips: enjoy an incredible glamorous night of Brazilian music in Lapa with Daytours4u!     [caption id="attachment_17085" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Where to go out in Rio de Janeiro? Tips to enjoy the night in Lapa The Selaron Steps has become a reference in Rio attractions, sitting on it and taking a picture is a must! / Photo: Canva Pro[/caption]   Something so simple, but so necessary, is to spend a few hours in Lapa to fully enjoy a tour of the city. Experience in every corner of its incredible energy, joy and movement!   

By: Gonzalo Ramirez, author of the GonTraveler Travel Blog