10 Standout Bars In Lagoa Rio De Janeiro

As if Rio de Janeiro didn’t already have enough natural beauty with its impeccable coastline and exotic forests, it also has a small yet stunning lake known as Lagoa in the south zone of the city. Lagoa is the perfect place to take a meditative break from city life, and with several good drinking spots nearby, there’s no better way to enjoy it than with a cold caipirinha or two.

1. Bar Lagoa

Bar, Restaurant, German, Brazilian, Beer, Wine, Cocktails

This German bar overlooks the lake, offering great views for those sitting on the bar’s open terrace. The bar used to be known as Bar Berlin yet the name was swiftly changed after a series of anti-war demonstrations during the 1930s. Its name being the only thing that has changed since then is part of its charm — with the light pink walls and bar decor the same as it was nearly 90 years ago, Bar Lagoa stays true to its roots. The white wurst makes an excellent snack to accompany a cold draft beer.

2. Palaphita Kitch

Bar, Restaurant, Brazilian, Beer, Wine, Cocktails, Pub Grub, Vegetarian

This bar is all about its mellow vibe and incredible lakeside view. Just pull up a cushion and sit down at one of the candlelit tables and enjoy the peaceful surroundings mixed with the lively banter of fellow bar guests. The caipirinhas here are flawless and come in several varieties, with strawberry or passionfruit being delicious alternatives to the traditional lime flavor. Palaphita Kitch is perfectly located to catch the best views of the sunset and with a comfy outdoor setting, it’s harder to imagine a better place to do so.

3. Palaphita Gavea

Bar, Gastropub, Pub, Pub Grub, Brazilian, Beer

Although part of the same group, Palaphita Gavea offers a totally different experience than its sister store, Palaphita Kitch. The ‘Gavea’ joint attracts a young or young-at-heart crowd with its lively and energetic atmosphere. With various types of music from house to deep bass and a crowded dance floor, it’s definitely the place to go to get your groove on. There is also a quieter bar area for chatting, mingling and sipping on one of the many cocktails on the menu. This is a strictly no flip-flops venue, giving you the chance to dress up a bit in a city where casual attire is the norm.

5. Sobe

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, American

This rooftop bar is a few blocks away from Lagoa but is worth every step taken to get there. After going up a narrow red stairway, you enter the eye-catching bar with its soft colors, wooden walls and semi-open rooftop. This bar attracts the residents from the upper-class neighborhood Jardim Botanico and therefore the dress code is quite fancy; however, the vibe is fun, energetic and further fueled with live music and an assortment of tasty cocktails and an extensive wine menu.

6. Belmonte

Bar, Restaurant, Brazilian

Belmonte is the place to be with its friendly atmosphere and generously filled empadas (pies) that match perfectly with the cold beer on tap. This bar attracts a mixed crowd and has a casual dress code, creating a light and welcoming environment. As the night goes on, the bar gets more and more packed until people are spilling out onto the pavement with light-hearted laughing filling the air. This bar is one of the best spots to go for a classic Rio chopp, which is a small glass of icy cold beer.

7. Torre do Barao Chopperia e Pizzaria

Bar, Pizzeria, Pub, Pub Grub, Brazilian

Low-key and nondescript is the charm of this classic boteco (a small bar typical in Rio), where its simplicity only serves to highlight the extra cold beer, friendly service and satisfying snacks. This bar won’t win points for an engaging atmosphere but is perfect for a homemade caipirinha or simple food with none of the frills.

Bar Rebouças

Small with only space to sit outside, it would be easy to walk past this bar and not give it a second look. However, it would be a shame to miss out on Bar Rebouças, a place where you feel like you’re a guest in someone’s home, enjoying a relaxed air over drinks and bites to eat. For an icy cold beer and a strong caipirinha, you can’t go wrong at Bar Rebouças — it’s a great starting point for a longer night out or as a place to enjoy a couple of cold ones after a long day.

Bar Rebouças, Rua Jardim Botânico, 197, Loja 2, Lagoa, RJ, Brazil +55 21 2286 3212

8. Bar do Horto

Bar, Restaurant, Contemporary, Brazilian, Beer, Wine, Vegetarian, Fast Food

Painted lime green on the outside, the inside of this bar resembles a knickknack store with various quirky and colorful decorations on show. This bar hosts a fun and almost childlike feel, yet the drinks are definitely for adults only. A must try drink would be the caipirinhas, which come with an ice-lolly in them, making everything even more delicious and sweet.

9. Cantinho de Ipanema

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Beer, Brazilian

Simplicity is the essence of this bar, yet it does exactly what it says on the tin — serves icy cold chopps, strong caipirinhas that are guaranteed to make eyes water and simple yet filling snacks. This bar is just a couple of blocks away from the lake en route to Ipanema, so it’s a perfect drop-in place going back and forth between the beach and Lagoa.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.