Cocktail Bars in Rio de Janeiro

111 Music Bar

On the third floor above the Haru restaurant and UMAI omakase counter in Copacabana, 111 Music Bar, styled 「111」, opened in November 2025 as Rio de Janeiro's answer to the Japanese listening bar. Founder Menandro Rodrigues built the room like a live recording studio, with fourteen Genelec coaxial monitors hung in three quadrants around a central DJ booth where music curator Danny Dee plays jazz, soul, MPB, and groove on vinyl, and guests are asked to keep their voices low. There is no dance floor, the light stays low, and the sound is the point. Head bartender Leonardo Santos matches the program with drinks that cross Brazilian ingredients and Japanese technique, while chef Thiago Ferrer's kitchen moves between Japan, Korea, and Brazil, from tuna crudo with romesco to a miso cappuccino.

Bar Carioca da Gema

'At Carioca da Gema you don't watch samba, you live it.' Founded in 2000 in a historic Lapa mansion of wooden beams and period detail, this pioneer of the neighborhood's revival hosts live samba nightly on the Palco Luiz Carlos da Vila, a stage that has held Dona Ivone Lara, Beth Carvalho and Zeca Pagodinho.

Sky Leme

The rooftop of the Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme looks down the full crescent of Leme and Copacabana beaches, a relaxed pool-bar scene by day that turns into a 'bar descolado' of cocktails and DJ-friendly evenings after dark.

Deck Lounge Bar

The rooftop of the Pestana Rio Atlântica claims one of the best panoramic views of Copacabana beach, gourmet sandwiches and mains beside sparkling wines, whiskies and cocktails, with live music and a reputation for hosting some of Brazil's most talked-about rooftop parties.

Elena Horto