Skylab Bar
Skylab Bar sits on the rooftop of a mid-rise hotel in Copacabana, offering panoramic views of the beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Morro da Urca. The space is open-air with a retractable awning for rain, furnished with lounge seating, high tables, and a few daybeds along the railing. The cocktail menu focuses on tropical drinks with a Brazilian twist: passion fruit gin fizzes, cachaca sours, and coconut-based creations that lean toward the Instagram-friendly end of the spectrum. The bar also serves a short food menu of elevated petiscos, including tuna tartare, shrimp empanadas, and cheese boards. Prices are higher than street-level Copacabana bars, reflecting the view and the rooftop setting. The crowd is a mix of hotel guests and outside visitors, with a dress code that leans smart casual. On clear evenings, the sunset view over the water draws a crowd that arrives by 5 PM and stays through the transition to night. A DJ plays lounge and deep house music on weekends, keeping the volume low enough for conversation. Capacity is limited to about 80 people, and reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Where to stay near Skylab Bar
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A small rooftop bar with stunning views and elevated cocktails. The setting is romantic and the pace is slow. This is not a party spot; it is a place to sit, look at the view, and drink something well made.
Refined rooftop setting with a view that does most of the work.
Lounge, deep house, and bossa nova remixes at low volume
Smart casual. Collared shirts and clean sneakers or better for men. No beachwear or flip-flops.
Couples, sunset seekers, visitors who want a high-end Copacabana drink experience without the chaos of street-level nightlife
Cards preferred, cash accepted. International cards work.
Price Range
Cocktails 35-55 BRL, beer 20-28 BRL, petiscos 30-50 BRL, wine by glass 30-45 BRL
Cocktails ~$7-11/~6.30-10 EUR, beer ~$4-5.50/~3.60-5 EUR
Hours
16:00-00:00 Tue-Sun, closed Mon
Insider Tip
Arrive by 5 PM on clear days for the best sunset view. Make a reservation for Friday or Saturday evening. The passion fruit gin fizz is the signature drink and worth trying at least once.
Full Review
Copacabana's rooftop bar scene is smaller than you might expect for a beachfront neighborhood packed with hotels. Skylab Bar is one of the better options, occupying the top floor of a mid-rise hotel with sightlines that stretch from the curve of the beach to Sugarloaf Mountain and beyond.
The space is compact. Maybe 80 people at full capacity, spread across lounge chairs, high tables, and a few coveted daybeds along the railing. On a clear Friday evening, every seat is taken by 6 PM, which is why reservations are recommended. The retractable awning provides rain cover without blocking the view entirely.
The cocktail menu is the main attraction after the scenery. The bartenders are trained and take their work seriously. The passion fruit gin fizz is the house signature, and it is well balanced, with the tartness of the fruit cutting through the sweetness in a way that works. Cachaca-based drinks are also strong, particularly a smoked cachaca old fashioned that does not appear on every version of the menu but is available on request.
Prices are steep by Copacabana standards. Cocktails at R$35-55 and beer at R$20-28 put this firmly in the premium category. The food menu is short but competent: tuna tartare, shrimp empanadas, and a cheese board with Brazilian artisanal cheeses. Portions are small and priced for the setting.
The crowd splits between hotel guests who discovered the bar by elevator and outside visitors who came specifically for the view. The mix is international, and English is spoken by the staff. The DJ on weekends keeps the music atmospheric rather than danceable, which suits the setting.
This is not a place for a long night out. The bar closes by midnight, and the energy is more aperitivo than party. Use it as a sunset starting point before heading to dinner or one of Copacabana's livelier venues.
The Neighborhood
Located on a hotel rooftop in the middle of Copacabana, a few blocks from the beach. The surrounding area has restaurants, bars, and shops along the main commercial streets.
Getting There
Walk from the Copacabana beachfront in about 5 minutes. Metro to Siqueira Campos station is a 4-minute walk.
Address
Rua Tonelero, 392
Other Venues in Copacabana
Fosfobox
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New Mariuzinn
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Bip Bip
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Pavão Azul
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Boteco Belmonte
Reliable neighborhood bar open from morning until 2 AM, serving a large menu of petiscos, grilled meats and draft chopp. Popular with locals as a casual meeting point before heading out for the night.
Le Boy
Long-running Copacabana nightclub operating since the 1990s, known for themed party nights, drag shows, and a mixed crowd that keeps the dance floor packed until sunrise on weekends.