This lively samba club is housed in a beautiful old building that doubles as a storage warehouse for props and antiques used by the city's film industry. As a result, you will find yourself shaking a leg to a backdrop of mannequins, antique furniture and other relics from the past. Spread over three floors, revelers can chose to enjoy a meal from the restaurant, or just strut their stuff on the dance floor among bohemian locals and tourists alike. The club frequently hosts excellent live music, from samba to forro - check the website for listings. Always packed on weekends.
The trend of Spanish tapas has been slow to take off in Rio, but this style of eating - with several little dishes of tasty morsels shared between friends - is perfect for this most sociable of cities. Leblon's Venga Tapas has a rather upscale take on tapas dining. The small little bar enjoys a prime location in well-to-do Leblon, and the décor is somewhere between hip New York eatery and rustic tapas tavern, while the dishes are immaculately prepared and presented. Imported Spanish sausages and cheeses are firm favorites on the menu, while dishes such as cod and white bean salad, spiced potatoes and meat croquettes are perfect for sharing with friends. For the full Spanish experience, wash it all down with a glass of sangria.