O Gato Que Ri
O Gato Que Ri (The Cat That Laughs) is a rock bar on the mid-section of Rua Augusta that hosts live bands Thursday through Saturday on a compact stage at the back of the room. The venue has been operating in various forms for over a decade, maintaining a focus on Brazilian rock, punk, garage, and indie. The space seats about 80 people, with a standing area near the stage that doubles the capacity on busy nights. The bar serves draft beer, shots, and a short cocktail list that does not distract from the main purpose: the music. Cover charges on band nights run R$15-30, which often includes a drink credit. The interior is dark, with red and black walls, band posters, and a ceiling that is low enough to keep the sound contained. The crowd is predominantly local and music-obsessed, with a strong contingent of musicians from other bands who come to support their peers. The atmosphere on a good Saturday night, with a tight band playing to a packed room, is electric in a way that larger venues struggle to replicate. Between sets, the house sound system plays a mix of punk, garage rock, and Brazilian rock classics at a volume that allows conversation.
Where to stay near O Gato Que Ri
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A dark, loud rock bar with live bands playing on a tiny stage. The crowd presses toward the front, the beer is cold, and the music is the reason everyone is here.
Loud, dark, and passionate. The small room concentrates the energy of the band and the crowd into something that feels much bigger than the space.
Brazilian rock, punk, garage rock, indie, and occasional metal
Band t-shirts, jeans, and boots are the default. Nobody is checking.
Live music fans, Brazilian rock enthusiasts, and anyone who prefers sweaty rock shows to DJ-driven clubs
Cash and cards accepted.
Price Range
Cover 15-30 BRL (often includes drink credit), draft beer 12 BRL, shots 10 BRL, cocktails 20-28 BRL
Cover ~$3-6/~2.70-5.40 EUR, beer ~$2.50/~2.20 EUR
Hours
20:00-03:00 Thu-Sat, occasional Wed events, closed Sun-Tue
Insider Tip
Check the band schedule on social media before going. Arrive by 10 PM to get a spot near the stage. The drink credit included in the cover is usually good for one draft beer.
Full Review
O Gato Que Ri belongs to a tradition of small rock venues that exist in every great music city. The room is small enough that the band can see every face in the crowd. The stage is low enough that the singer and the front row are at eye level. The volume is high enough that you feel the bass in your chest. And the crowd cares enough about the music that the energy feeds back into the performance.
The venue books local bands almost exclusively. These are not cover acts or tribute bands. They are original groups playing their own material, often in the Brazilian rock, punk, and garage genres that have a dedicated but underserved audience in Sao Paulo. The quality varies, as it does with any live music booking, but the curators have a good ear, and most nights deliver at least one genuinely impressive set.
The physical space is what it is. Dark walls, low ceiling, sticky floor, and a sound system that is adequate for the room size. The bar is functional: draft beer, shots, and simple cocktails served fast. Nobody is ordering a craft gin and tonic here.
The crowd is the best part. Musicians from other bands, music journalists, scene regulars, and a rotating cast of people who discovered the venue through a friend or a social media post. There is a sense of community that larger venues cannot create. Between sets, people talk about bands, share recommendations, and make plans for the next show.
Cover charges are low (R$15-30), and the drink credit included with many covers effectively makes entry free. This pricing philosophy reflects the venue's belief that the barrier to live music should be low. It works: the room fills on Saturday nights with people who might not have come if the cover were R$60.
The mid-Augusta location puts the venue between the upscale upper section and the club-heavy lower section. It is walkable from both directions on the main strip, though the usual Rua Augusta precautions apply after midnight.
The Neighborhood
Located on Rua Augusta between Avenida Paulista and Praca Roosevelt. Other bars, clubs, and late-night food options are within walking distance on the same strip.
Getting There
Metro to Consolacao station (Line 2), then a 5-minute walk down Rua Augusta.
Address
Rua Augusta, 745
Other Venues in Rua Augusta
Lions Nightclub
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Beco 203
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Z Carniceria
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Inferno Club
Rock and heavy metal venue that hosts local bands and tribute acts most nights of the week. The small stage and low ceilings make for loud, packed shows.
Lab Club
Mid-sized club focusing on electronic music with a sound system that punches above its weight. Regular themed nights cover everything from drum and bass to progressive house.
Jai Club
Intimate basement club on the lower stretch of Augusta that books deep house and minimal techno DJs. The low ceiling and dark walls create a bunker atmosphere that keeps the energy focused on the music.