The Ultimate Guide To São Paulo Nightlife for Nomads and Travelers
Brief description
São Paulo is a vibrant city with a diverse nightlife scene that caters to all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a casual bar to grab a drink or a high-energy nightclub to dance the night away. São Paulo has something for everyone.
One of the best places to start your night out is at one of the city’s many bars. These range from trendy rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the city to cozy neighbourhood bars where locals gather for a drink and a chat.
For those looking for a more high-energy experience, São Paulo’s nightclub scene is sure to impress. The city is home to some of the biggest and best nightclubs in Brazil, such as D-Edge, known for its cutting-edge electronic music and impressive sound system, and Club Vibe, a popular spot for hip-hop and R&B fans.
In conclusion, São Paulo has a diverse nightlife scene that caters to all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a casual bar or a high-energy nightclub, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.
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A word of advice
Nightclubs in São Paulo typically open around 10 pm and close around 5 am. It is best to check the specific hours of the nightclub you plan to visit. Keep in mind that some places may have different schedules on different days of the week, and many nightclubs have special events or parties that may change their hours. It’s always a good idea to check the club’s website or social media pages before you go.
The dress code is typically very informal – People in nightclubs and bars in Sao Paulo typically dress in trendy clothing. This may include designer jeans, button-down shirts, and dress shoes for men. For women, popular choices include mini dresses, high heels, and statement jewelry. It’s important to note that some clubs and bars may have dress codes, so it’s always a good idea to check in advance.
Be safe; Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, and be aware of pickpocketing and theft.
It is essential always to have a way to contact friends and family and to know the location of the nearest embassy or consulate in case of an emergency.
Drinking
Some popular areas for drinking in São Paulo include Vila Madalena, and Pinheiros, known for their trendy bars and clubs. The city also has a wide variety of bars and pubs offering different styles of drinks, such as craft beer bars and whisky bars. Additionally, São Paulo also has several rooftop bars with great city views. It is important to note that the legal drinking age in Brazil is 18, and it is also essential to be aware of the local laws and customs when consuming alcohol in São Paulo.
There are many different types of drinks in the city’s bars and clubs, including traditional Brazilian drinks such as cachaça and caipirinha and international favourites such as beer, which is a standard option for a drink.
Some popular bars and clubs in São Paulo also feature extensive cocktail menus, with many different types of mixed drinks to choose from.
Additionally, you can find several bars and clubs specializing in certain types of drinks like Whisk(e)y, Gin, Vodka, Tequila, and many more. Remember that prices can vary depending on the location, type of establishment, and brand of drink.
Zona Oeste (West Zone)
Vila Madalena
Bars
- Bar da Dona Onça:The emphasis is very much on cooking from inland Brazil and dishes from the 1950s; the daily specials are written up on mirrors and huge slate boards.
Opens Monday to Saturday-12:00 to 23:00, Sunday – 12:00 to 17:00.
- Bar do Zé: The walls are covered in shelves crammed with bottles of cachaça, and that’s basically what you have to drink: beer, cachaça and caipirinhas. There are a few simple snacks on the menu, too; nothing fancy – pasties and bolinhos de aipim – but very tasty, especially after you’ve had a few drinks. If that sounds like your kind of thing, go along one evening
Opens 6 pm-midnight, closed on Sundays
- Casa da Suíça: Best fondue! The meats are delicious, and the cheese and chocolate taste divine!
Opens Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 3 pm and 8 pm to midnight and Saturday, 20:00 to 01:00
Clubs
- Cine Joia: A cosy live venue where you can see the artist from a close spot and with excellent acoustics. Features a variety of music genres and live performances.
Opens Monday to Friday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- D-Edge: There is ample security, beautiful women, great drinks and tier 1 music. The lighting system is top notch. A must see if you like deep house music / electronic music. The best music comes on at 4am.
Opens Mondays and Wednesdays to Saturday; 11pm-late
- Club Vibe: the only club in the city to have entered the ranking of the 100 best e-music venues in the world, according to DJ Mag. Excellent underground club. music is generally mind blowing.
Vila Olímpia
Clubs
- The Week: Sao Paulo’s most popular gay club. Great place to be. The disco is divided into two areas according to the type of music (electronic and pop). There is a patio where the bar area is located. I recommend this place for those who want to have fun at a high-quality place. Great selection of cocktails, and the place is very well organized, besides there are a lot of hot guys inside)
- Club Yacht: Nightclub with decor inspired by nautical motifs. The servers are dressed as sailors, and the decor is very modern. The musical style is very diverse, from pop to Brazilian hits. It exhibits a great structure and happens to be upbeat LGBT friendly.
Opens Sunday to Saturday, 9 pm to 6 am.
Bars
- Bar do Lado: the service is good, the food is good, and portions are reasonable. The good thing is that it doesn’t get super crowded, so it only takes a little time to get a table. Excellent choice for those who like to have fun, not just on weekends, with live music from Tuesday to Sunday. On Tuesday, acoustic; Wednesday, instrumental jazz, fifth full band; Friday and Saturday, all types of styles and Sunday, a Jam Session with musicians from the city and region.
Opens 4:00 pm – 1:30 am
- Bar Garota de Ipanema is considered a tourist spot in the city, as great personalities have frequented it since ancient times. The simple and relaxed atmosphere attracts families looking for a feijoada on the weekends to groups of young people.
On the menu are typical Brazilian dishes. Highlights include cod fritters, crab legs and sirloin steak with various garnishes. It is known for its great caipirinha, a traditional drink from Brazil, and live music.
Opens Daily, 12:00 pm to 2:00 am
Pinheiros
Clubs
- Audio Club: Modern club with all security protocols. It has good acoustics, great lighting and organization of space, entrance and queues. It has parking nearby. Very well structured, very spacious and with an excellent smoking area.
Bars
- Bar do Baixo: samba and light ferrozine make the night very pleasant. The music is eclectic, from MPB, POP, and the 90s. Beer is priced at the average of bars in Sao Paulo.
Opens Saturday to Friday, 3 pm to 5 am.
- The Brew Crew: a smooth lunch with good appetizers and craft beer, all different kinds.
The servers are great, well-trained and friendly, giving you a relaxing experience.
- Bar Secreto: Contains a pole dance. The music is good, mixing pop and funk, electronic music, house, rap and sophisticated hip-hop. A small and charming, intimate atmosphere that goes well with cocktails. I recommend going after 1 am, and it starts late.
- Bar do Luiz: known as a bar with a soul. Look no further if you’re looking forward to living a local bohemian experience in this city. The very traditional `bolinho de carne` (Meatball) and `bolinho the de bacalhau` (codfish) are great places to start. The place tends to get crowded at night and on weekends—good caipirinhas, ice-cold beers, and more laid back in the spacious interior.
Opens Sunday to Saturday; 4 pm to 11.45 pm
Barra Funda
Clubs
- Club A Lôca: The trump card is the music. The DJs are excellent! A place to go out and dance on nights when you are tired of the traditional program.With themed nights and an audience that varies from Thursday to Sunday.
Sunday has the classic “GRIND” night, where the best RCK + POP music is played.
Opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 10 pm to 5 am
Itaim Bibi
- Bar do Zé: Vibrant food, hip and cheap for the quantity. The staff attention is excellent, fast and the food is tasty with typical Brazilian dishes from day to day. Feijoada, meats, and pasta are all flavoured, with barbecue and beer, always at the right temperature.
- Bourbon Street Music Club: Yes, it is possible to have high gastronomy and a great blues show at the same place; you don’t have to switch places. You have sirloin with risotto and stuffed chicken with brie rice while watching the Blues Beatles, a fantastic band, which is a must-see.
Opens Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am; Tuesday to Friday, 7 pm to 2 am.
Zona Sul (South)
Jardins
Clubs
- Love Story: known for being the “house of houses” in partying. Are you out clubbing in São Paulo? It’s 3 AM, and you are still looking for something wild to do. The crowds keep the place jumping from 3 AM onwards—a popular venue for house music.
It opens at midnight and closes at 10 AM the next day.
Bars
- Bar do Juarez: known for offering the best picanha in addition to the traditional and coldest draft beer.
Opens Monday to Monday: 11 am to 1 am
Moema
Bars
- Bar Astor: Caipirinha with sweet orange slices and limes.
Opens Saturday to Sunday; 6 pm to 3 am
Zona Leste (East)
Vila Madalena
Clubs
- Studio SP: Sensational place for casual and alternative people who like good shows, Excellent programming, Personable staff, good music, and fair prices.
Opens Friday and Saturday, 10 pm to 4 am.
Bars
- Boteco São Bento: Draft beer – drinks made to perfection, snacks that have already become classics. On Saturdays, they have a feijoada buffet.
Opens Saturday to Sunday; 12 pm to 12 am
Tatuapé
- Blackout Club: Besides saunas, showers and a bar, the club offers a fetiche maze and playground. Also attractive are the nude bartenders, always ready to serve you.
Opens Tuesday, Thursday 5 pm – 11 pm; Friday – Sunday 6 pm – 5 am
Grande São Paulo
Rua Augusta
Clubs
- Club A: It’s big here, great professionals do the security of the place, affordable prices, and it has a good vibe with a mix of funk and Brazilian music. With the best Psytrance electronic music ballad.
(https://instagram.com/clubaoficial?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=)
Zona Norte(North)
Vila Isabel
- Sambódromo do Anhembi: Carnival in São Paulo is an unmissable spectacle. The Sambadrome in São Paulo offers all the infrastructure and security necessary for spectators to enjoy the show safely. Dance to the lively samba and pagode here. This large samba club is located in the heart of Vila Isabel, with top-notch drinks and a choice of food.
Opens Saturday to Sunday, 24 hours.
Ticketed Parties
Again, hard to find as a newcomer. Sao Paulo has ticketed events/parties, usually large, open-bar parties for which you need to buy tickets in advance.
Some common ways to buy tickets include:
- Online ticketing platforms such as Ingresso, Eventim, and Tickets for Fun.
- Retail outlets such as drugstores, newsstands, and supermarkets.
- Box offices of venues where the events take place.
- Street vendors or scalpers who sell tickets outside of the venues on the day of the event.
It’s important to note that buying tickets from street vendors or scalpers is not recommended, as they might sell fake or invalid tickets or charge more than the original price. It’s always best to buy tickets from authorized sellers and check if the ticket is valid before the event.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sao Paulo offers a vibrant nightlife scene with something for everyone. From the trendy bars and clubs in Vila Madalena and Jardins to the lively samba and pagode clubs in Vila Isabel, the city has a wide range of options for partying into the wee hours of the morning. Sao Paulo has everything, whether you’re looking to dance the night away or enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere. With its diverse neighborhoods and lively atmosphere, it’s no wonder the city is known as the “city that never sleeps.” So next time you’re in Sao Paulo, be sure to experience the city’s bustling nightlife for yourself.
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