 |
 |
|||||||||||||
|
So you've already checked out Rio Nite & Gay, Gay Bars & Cafes and Clubs & Parties. Lots to do and see. Now let us help you put together some ideas for the nights of the week. We tried to cover different areas of the city, so you can sample the different flavors of Rio's gay lifestyle. For tips on gay baths, sex hotels and X-rated movies go on to Getting Off. For suggestions on what to do and see during the day use our Travel Planner. 
This is a sort of a slow night, and the only dance club that is open is Incontrus, in Copacabana. It is located in an interesting area, and gay kiosk Rainbow and Cafe Maxim's are nearby. You could start with a meal at one of the restaurants in the area, go for a beer or a coconut at the kiosk, and pass by or stop quickly at Maxim's (if there's any action). Do not miss the funky atmosphere of Lido, that has a famous red-light circuit with strip bars and go-go clubs. There may be working girls at the beach, and some of them are actually boys - it's hard to tell at night. There's a corner cafe to the right of Incontrus where patrons sometimes have a drink before they go inside. Incontrus is a small neighborhood club with a tradition of 15 years. The clientele here is quite mixed. Expect to meet gym bunnies, older queens, hustlers, transvestites, stray Barbies, drags, lesbians, everybody's welcome.
 Yesterday you were in the end of Copacabana near Leme. Tonight we are
going back to Copa, but this time to the other end, near Arpoador and
Ipanema. This part is known as Posto 6, and this is where you will find Le
Boy, the most popular gay dance club in town. They're open from
Tuesday to Sunday. Le Boy is based on a renovated movie theater. The
main floor is in the basement, with the dance floor, stage, bar, and
restrooms. There's another bar at the lobby on the ground floor, where
the air-conditioning is kept at full blast - chill out fast! Up the
flight of stairs there's a complex with a small gym, sauna,
and baths. The drag shows happen around midnight. You may not
understand the jokes, but the lip-synching is guaranteed to be as bad as
back home. Sometimes the mezzanine behind the stage is turned dark room.
 You've been to Copacabana twice, already. Before they start calling
you the Princess of the Sea (Copa's nickname), tonight we are headed for Ipanema. Let's do
this with style. Enjoy a meal at one of Ipanema's gourmet
restaurants, or warm up at the charming Zaza Bistro on tree-lined
Rua Prudente de Morais (corner of Rua Joana Angelica). Our final
destination is Rua
Teixeira de Mello. This is where the affluent gays and lesbians from
Ipanema and surroundings get together. There are three venues next to
each other, so do a little club hopping. Try Restô, Galeria Cafe, and
soon to open Spin. You may (and then you may not) be invited for an
after hours at somebody's home. If you are, don't think twice, just go!
You could end up in a penthouse overlooking the beach or Lagoa, and
Brazilian hospitality is legendary. As you are in the area, you may also
check Baixo Farme nearby. Bored? Take a taxi, and in 5 minutes you are back at Le Boy.
Wednesdays at Bunker are also very good, and it's just next door. Arrive
around 1 a.m.
 We already did Ipanema and Copacabana, so it's time to explore Botafogo.
Thursday is when things start to pick up around here. There are
excellent restaurants in Botafogo. Choose your favorite cuisine and enjoy. You could always
try Tamino or Ocidente. Rua Visconde Silva, the old Baixo Gay, is pretty
much over. Check out what is happening at Casa da Matriz, instead. Oops
parties (mixed) are lots of fun (every other week). If you get bored you
may always go back to one of the clubs you've already been to. For
variety you may check out Bunker 94, with
three dance floors. This venue, based in the old headquarters of Le Boy,
is a favorite with local clubbers, and the alternative crowd. Gays and
lesbians are welcome, and they're open from Wedenesday to Sunday. If you
are lucky there may be guest DJ's from U.S., Europe, or Australia,
and/or live music presentations.
 Thank God it's Friday. All clubs are open, and you do not need our
help to find your way around any more. As you have already been to the
major clubs and areas of interest to gays and lesbians, what about a
rave party? These events usually happen Downtown or in other other areas
of the city. Barbies never miss an X-Demente,
but they usually happen on Saturday - and you never can never tell much
in advance when. Buy the Friday edition of Jornal do Brasil (spells with
an s in Portuguese) or O Globo, the two major local newspapers.
Go to the entertainment tabloid, and look under Festas (Parties). If
there's anything going at Cine Iris or
Fundição Progresso, chances are it is worth checking out. As this
is a long evening you may start in a touristy yet fun way - the Samba
Show at Plataforma.
 Saturday nights always happen in Rio, one way or another. Your first choice is an X-Demente party, if there's one happening, that is. If not, try The Week, Cine Ideal or Fundição Downtown. You saved the newspaper from yesterday, so you already know where to find updated info. Do ask around at gay beach, and keep all the flyers handed by cute guys - it's a good excuse to break the ice! For drag and strip shows try Cabare Casanova, a venue with 70 years of tradition (Downtown). If you are feeling a little more adventurous, take a taxi to 1140 off Barra, something like 30-35 minutes away from your hotel. If this is summer, though, the thing to do is go to a Samba School Rehearsal, and have the time of your life! Seriously. These events happen in the suburbs, so you must go in a group, with confirmed transportation arrangements. Gays and transvestities are sometimes part of the scene, and a couple of schools even have restrooms especially for gay patrons.Try to behave, and do not miss your ride back!  It's Sunday, you want to take it easy, but hey, you don't have that much time in Rio so let's make the best of it. We know you have already done a lot today, and it was a mistake to break in those leather sandals you bought at the hippie fair, you stayed too long under the sun... Take a refreshing shower or bath, stop at a juice bar and ask for a bowl of açai, pronounced a-sigh-ee, with a generous dash of powdered guarana. Don't ask me why, just do it - works wonders, tastes great. A good place to have this crimson-colored Amazon delight is Baixo Leblon. This area attracts a mixed (and very good looking) beach crowd, and you may always get lucky. Most clubs and cafes are open tonight, so you have a choice of going back to your good old favorites. You could also check out the T-Dance at Redondo, that happens on Sundays only and attracts lotsa cute boys. If you are a girl start at A Casa da Lua in Ipanema and proceed to La Girl in South Copacabana. You may be tempted to do this whole list of things on a single night, but we are sure this is not going to be your last time in Rio, so do take it easy! |
|||||||||||||
|
