Bar Brasil
Bar Brasil has occupied the same corner at Avenida Mem de Sa 90 since 1907, making it one of the oldest continuously operating bars in Rio de Janeiro. The building is a two-story structure with high ceilings, ceiling fans, and an interior that feels like a European beer hall transplanted to the tropics. Dark wood paneling, long communal tables, and a zinc-topped bar counter set the tone. The menu reflects the German-Brazilian heritage of its founders: sausages, sauerkraut, pork knuckle, and kassler alongside Brazilian staples like feijoada and picanha. Draft chopp flows from old-fashioned taps, and the bartenders pour with the practiced speed of people who have been doing this for years. The upstairs dining room seats around 80 and has a quieter atmosphere than the ground floor, which gets loud on Friday evenings when the after-work crowd collides with early Lapa nightlife traffic. The location at the border of Centro and Lapa means it catches foot traffic from both neighborhoods.
Where to stay near Bar Brasil
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A grand, old-fashioned bar with high ceilings and communal tables. The smell of grilled sausages mixes with draft beer. The noise level rises as the evening progresses.
Old-world beer hall energy with Brazilian warmth layered on top.
No live music; ambient noise from conversation and the street
Casual. Office workers come straight from work, regulars come as they are.
Pre-Lapa dinner and drinks, history buffs, anyone who appreciates a bar that has been doing the same thing well for over a century
Cash and cards accepted. Visa and Mastercard work.
Price Range
Draft chopp 12 BRL, sausage plate 35 BRL, pork knuckle 65 BRL, caipirinha 22 BRL
Chopp ~$2.50/~2.20 EUR, sausage plate ~$7/~6.30 EUR
Hours
11:00-23:00 Mon-Sat, closed Sun
Insider Tip
Grab a table upstairs for a quieter meal; the ground floor gets rowdy after 7 PM on Fridays. The kassler (smoked pork chop) is the standout dish. Pair it with a draft chopp rather than a cocktail.
Full Review
Bar Brasil sits at the intersection of two eras. The building itself, with its high ceilings and dark wood interior, belongs to early 20th-century Rio. The crowd, especially on weekend evenings, belongs to the contemporary Lapa nightlife scene. This collision of old and new gives the place a character that newer bars cannot replicate.
The ground floor is where the action is. A long bar counter runs along one wall, and tables are packed tight enough that passing between them requires sideways navigation when the place is busy. The smell of grilled sausages and sauerkraut competes with cigarette smoke drifting in from the sidewalk. Draft chopp is poured in the traditional two-pull method, and it comes cold and properly foamy.
The menu is split between German and Brazilian. The sausage plate with sauerkraut and mustard is a reliable choice. The pork knuckle is enormous and takes 30 minutes to prepare, so order it early. Brazilian options like feijoada on Wednesdays draw a lunch crowd. Prices are moderate for the portion sizes.
Upstairs is calmer. The second-floor dining room has the same dark wood aesthetic but fewer people, making it better for conversation. Service can be slow during peak hours, but the waiters have a relaxed competence that comes from working in the same place for years.
The location makes Bar Brasil a natural starting point for a Lapa evening. Eat dinner here at 8 PM, then walk to the clubs on Rua Mem de Sa by 10. The walk is short but should be done with awareness, as the street gets busy and pickpockets work the crowd.
The Neighborhood
Sits at the border of Centro and Lapa on Avenida Mem de Sa. Carioca da Gema is next door, and Rio Scenarium is a 3-minute walk. The Arcos da Lapa are visible from the entrance.
Getting There
Metro to Cinelandia station (Lines 1 and 2), then a 7-minute walk south. Uber from Copacabana costs R$20-35.
Address
Av. Mem de Sá, 90
Other Venues in Centro
Rio Scenarium
Three-story venue in a restored colonial warehouse filled with antiques and vintage decor. Live samba and choro bands play nightly, drawing a mixed crowd of locals and visitors.
Carioca da Gema
Intimate samba house that books some of Rio's best traditional musicians. The small dance floor gets packed on weekends, so arriving before 10 PM is a good idea.
Lapa 40 Graus
Multi-level club near the Arcos da Lapa with different music styles on each floor. Expect samba, funk carioca, and electronic sets depending on the night.
Leviano Bar
Underground cocktail bar tucked into a basement space downtown. Known for creative drinks and a DJ lineup that leans toward house and disco.
Bar Bukowski
Low-key spot popular with the local after-work crowd and bohemian regulars. Cold draft beer and simple petiscos keep the atmosphere unpretentious.
Angu do Gomes
Historic boteco operating since 1955, tucked into a narrow storefront near Praca Tiradentes. Known for its namesake angu dish and cold draft beer served to a loyal crowd of regulars.