Rio Scenarium is the largest and best live Samba hall in Rio de Janeiro, with several rooms. Increasingly touristy, but if you have only one night out, this is the place to go. Rio Scenarium’s decoration is the highlight: cool antiques decorates the whole place.
This samba places is a sort of the ‘Sugar Loaf of Rio’s nightlife’: an attraction you can’t miss it.
Cover Charge/Admission fee to Rio Scenarium:
The price just to get in is R$20; US$10; €9 (Tue. – Thur.), R$35; US$17.50; €15 (Fri. – Sat.). Photo ID/passport (or copy) required. Busiest (packed solid with locals) on Friday and Saturday nights (lines forming by 8 p.m., or earlier), when an extra band plays Forró (2:30 – 4 a.m.) and a DJ plays trendy remixed electronic samba (11 p.m. – 4 a.m.).
Rio Scenarium Opening Hours
Tue. – Fri. 7 p.m. (Sat. 8 p.m.) – 2 a.m. (until 4 a.m. Fri – Sat., but no one is admitted after 2:30 a.m.).
Children under 18 are admitted with parents but must leave the premises at latest 10 p.m.
Reservation to Rio Scenarium:
Reservations are optional: call 3147-9000 (9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Mon. – Fri.) or email [email protected] to book a table. If you show up without a reservation, as the majority does, some tables may be available if you arrive early enough.
How to get to Rio Scenarium:
20-minute taxi ride from Copacabana/Leme (R$27; US$13.50; €12 – slightly more if you are coming from Ipanema/Leblon and roughly the double if you are coming from Barra da Tijuca). There is also a yellow taxi stand at the exit, so no worries about how to get back to your hotel.
Getting to Rio Scenarium by bus or subway is not recommended.
Address of Rio Scenarium:
Rua do Lavradio, 20 – Lapa – Rio de Janeiro. (Locate Rio Scenarium on Lapa map in My Rio Travel Guide).
Dinner at Rio Scenarium:
Dinner tip: have a drink, appetizer, or dinner outdoors at Mangue Seco across the street and monitor the queue from there. You can also have dinner at Rio Scenarium (which is a restaurant, a bar and a music hall), but at Mangue Seco the menu has many more options.
More Information about Rio Scenarium:
Safe
No dress code
Creditcards accepted
Photographing and filming permitted
No age restrictions
Read related articles:
Rio de Janeiro Restaurant Guide
Dining in Rio de Janeiro – Best Places to Eat
For updated information on Rio Scenarium as well as on other music venues in Rio de Janeiro, get a copy of My Rio Travel Guide – The Essential How-To Visitor’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro.