In the sprawling neighborhood of Copacabana, it can be challenging to find the right bar to spend the evening. With so many options, spread all over the place, you need to know where to go. It can be a simple boteco, a Brazilian style pub, or a bit more sophisticated bar, where you can also have dinner. Here are some of our favorite bars in Copacabana.
Pavão Azul
In the back streets of the neighborhood look for Pavão Azul, a favorite of the locals and one of the most traditional bars in Copacabana, and always very busy on the weekends. This boteco style place offers a range of dishes, preferably combined with cold draught beer. With tables and chairs outside on the streets, it’s an excellent bar to spend an evening and watch the locals go by. Make sure to try their batida de coco. It’s a typical Brazilian cocktail, made of a mix of coconut milk, condensed milk and cachaça, the local rum. Food-wise: order their octopus rice, a very tasty dish, that originally comes from Portugal.
Address: Rua Hilário de Gouveia, 71 – Copacabana. Phone: +55 21 2236 2381
Real Chopp
Real Chopp (chopp is draught beer) is one of the classic bars in Copacabana. This tavern, located next to Adega Pérola, showcases an impressive refrigerated counter with numerous delicious looking snacks. Here another octopus, this time prepared with the vinaigrette, a typical Portuguese tapas style of snack. Mouthwatering as well are the deep-fried pastries, filled with cod, crab or dried meat. Together with a Brahma chopp or a Heineken longneck, a good time will be guaranteed.
Address: Rua Barata Ribeiro, 319 – Copacabana. Phone: +55 21 2257-2645
Beerlab
Less traditional and more of a hipster bar, Beerlab is a pioneer in promoting the use of growlers, recycled containers for beer made of PET. You can be bottles of beer here and take them home, or stay and hang out, to try their craft beers. With nine taps Beerlab offers beers made by local producers. The place has a minimalist but cozy set up, with wooden crates being used as chairs on the street. The beers come with names as Octopus Garden (with peach and mango aromas) and Brewpoint Weiss (German white beer).
Address: Rua Sousa Lima, 16-C -Copacabana.
El Born
El Born is a tapas bar in the busy Bolivar street. This is a street full of bars and restaurants and in that sense the right place to go if you’re looking for a good time. El Born got its name from a neighborhood in Barcelona and has some delicious tapas on the menu. Here it is not the beer that attracts the public, but the wine, sangria, and cocktails on offer. A popular cocktails is the so-called Black Cat (Gato Negro), made of gin, red vermouth and Campari.
Address: Rua Bolivar, 17, loja A – Copacabana. Phone: +55 21 3496-1781.
Pub Escondido, CA
Escondido in Portuguese means hidden, but the second name of Pub Escondido, CA refers to a small city in California, famous for its craft beer pubs and breweries. In this bar the beer, with names like Taperebá Brasilien Weisse e O Motim, comes straight from barrels, with 24 taps available. Located in a street close to the beach, the basic bar is spacious and has a range of quality hamburgers on the menu as well.
Address: Rua Aires Saladanha, 98, loja A – Copacabana. Phone: +55 21 2552-9800.
If you want to read more about food en restaurants in the city, take a look at our guide for restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. This will help you to find your favorite spot, for sure.
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