Pagodes, shows and samba clubs in Rio

 A pagode (pah - godg -ee)is a kind of informal party with a special type of samba music. Everyone knows the songs and usually joins in - a good pagode session is a rousing mass sing song, with swinging rhythm, beautiful melody, plenty of alcohol and some dancing. If you are lucky you might find an impromptu pagode session going on ffor free outside a bar, although the quality is likely to be very variable. If you dont want to leave it to luck, there are a number of clubs and locations throughout central and southern Rio where you can find the genuine pagode experience.

Rio de Janeiro Samba and Pagode Clubs 

This is a list of some of the more permanent clubs, bars and other venues in Rio de Janeiro which present shows and nights of pagode, samba, choro and forro. These clubs run all year round, but please check before going as details, dates and times can vary. Normally you pay an entrance fee, ranging from R$ 3 - R$ 20 depending on the venue and the night. Sometimes there is food available.

The list is divided into Samba schools, central locations and southern locations.

The information was updated at the end of December 2008, and should be good for carnaval 2009. Much of it comes from the excellent website www.samba-choro.com.br, go there for fuller and more up to date information (Portuguese only). You can also find information on the official Rio tourist site http://www.riotour.com.br/, which can be accessed in English.

If you want to buy pagode or choro CDs and learn some of the songs,please go to our samba CD pages, where you can find a large range of pagode CDs available immediately.

PAGODE PARTIES  RUN BY SAMBA SCHOOLS

Pagode da Familia Mangueirense

second Saturday of the month from 12 noon.

Address: Quadra da Mangueira. Rua Visconde de Niterói, 1072 (Mangueira) 3872-6786/ 6787 Rio de Janeiro _RJ. (North Central)

Pagode in the quadra of a samba school! Well recommended for its ambiance, seating and musicians (but not for the sound quality), with cheap beer and a highly recommended Feijoada (traditional food). Mangueeira is the most famous of all the samba schools, and it is also very traditional.

Pagode da Familia Portelense

Sat 2pm First Saturdays of the month : Quadra da Portela. Rua Clara Nunes, 81 (Madureira) 2489-6440 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_(suburbs)

This excellent pagode session in the quadra of the samba school Portela is usually monthly, though not always on the first Saturday. Please phone to check before going. With the Velha Guarda of Portela. Traditional food provided by the Baianas of Portela.

Pagodão da Estácio

Friday nights in the Quadra of Estacio de Sa, Av. Salvador de Sa, Cidade Nova RJ (Central)

Roda de Samba starts at 20h, with the participation of members of the samba schools' baterias and guests such as Paulinho Mocidade, and other samba school puxadores. Estacio, is descended directly from the first samba schiool in Rio. It is also very easy to reach, beieng in Central Rio, and near a metro statio (metro Estacio).

PAGODE CLUBS

CENTRAL RIO

Centro Cultural Carioca

Thursdays (21h) Fridays (19h30) Saturdays (22h)
Rua do Teatro, 37. Praça Tiradentes (ao lado do João Caetano) (Centro) 22526468 Rio de Janeiro _RJ (Central)
Check their website http://www.centroculturalcarioca.com.br/ for an up to date program - the centre presents a wide range of interesting events, not just samba and choro. Excellent reviews

Rio Scenarium

Mondays (18h30)Tuesdays (18h30) Wednesdays (18h30) Thursdays (18h30)
Fridays (19h) Saturdays (19h)
Rua do Lavradio, 20 (Lapa) 2233-3239 e 3852-5516 Rio de Janeiro _RJ (central)
Upmarket pagode with nice ambiance, good sound system and recommended food. Not cheap by Rio standards, but clean and comfortable, with good pagode. Check the programme at http://www.damadanoite.com.br/, before deciding when to go.

Centro Cultural Memórias do Rio

Thursdays (19h30) Fridays (19h) Saturdays(22h) Av. Gomes Freire, 289 (Lapa) 2221-5441 / 3681-1636 Rio de Janeiro _RJ (Centre). Varied program with some well known names in samba - Jorginho do Império on Friday night , samba on Saturdays.

Butiquim do Martinho

Thursdays (19h30) Fridays (20h30) Sundays (19h30) Shopping Iguatemi. Rua Barão de São Francisco, 236/ 2º Piso. Shopping Iguatemi (Vila Isabel) 2577-7160 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_
This is Martinho da Vila's pagode club and he drops in from time to time. It is in a modern shopping mall, which affects the ambiance somewhat, but the music is good. Thursdays features the Velha Guarda da Vila Isabel.

Carioca da Gema

Mondays(21h) Tuesdays (21h) Wednesdays (21h) Thursdays (21h) Fridays (20h30) Saturdays (21h) Rua Mem de Sá, 79 (Lapa) 2221-0043 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_(Centre). This club has quickly become one of the main venues for good music in Rio, where you can hear local music of the highest quality. However it is often too full for comfort. Varied program.

Casa da Mãe Joana

Thursdays (20h) Fridays (19h) Saturdays(21h)
Av. Gomes Freire, 547 (Lapa) 2224-4071 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_ (centre). Newly reopened in Lapa, the Casa da Mãe Joana has been receiving mixed reviews recently, but you still need to book in advance to get a table. Now has an excellent sound system and air conditioning, with a stage and dance floor. .

Dama da Noite

Tuesdays (22h) Wednesdays (21h) Thursdays (21h) Fridays (19h30) Saturdays (22h30): Rua Gomes Freire, 773 (Lapa) 2509-4237 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_ (central). An excellent and varied program of music but you need to book in advance to get a table with views of the stage. Try their website http://www.damadanoite.com.br/ where you can see the latest program and make a booking online.

Cordão da Bola Preta

Mondays 7pm, Tuesdays 7pm, Fridays 7pm. Rua Treze de maio, 13, 3º andar (Cinelândia) 2240-8099 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_ (Centre). Bola Preta is the oldest bloco in Rio, and has been parading in Rio Carnival since 1918. On Fridays they bring the traditional Pagode da Tia Doca from its home near the samba school Portela to their more accessible location in central Rio. Other events on Mondays and Tuesdays

Cachaçaria Mangue Seco

Tuesdays (20h) Thursdays (22h) Fridays (22h) Rua do Lavradio, 23 (Lapa) 3852-1947 Rio de Janeiro
Program varies from week to week. The bar specialises in a wide range of cachasas.

Gafieira Estudantina

Wednesdays (22h) Praça Tiradentes 79 (Centro) 9945-3244 Rio de Janeiro _RJ (centre)
One of the most traditional clubs in Rio, founded in 1932, and full of samba memorabilia. Great reviews.

Café Cultural Sacrilégio

Tuesdays to Saturdays from 20.30 Av. Mem de Sá, 81 - Tel.: 3970-1461
With choro, samba, maxixe, waltz and polka groups

SOUTHERN RIO

Bip-Bip

Tuesdays (21h30) Sundays (20h)
Rua Almirante Gonçalves, 50 (Copacabana) 2267 9696 Rio de Janeiro _RJ_ (Zona Sul)
Home of the famous bloco Bip Bip, this well known samba bar is packed for its samba night on Sundays, less full on the Tuesday choro nights. Music very varied with a mix of professionals and amateurs. No amplification.

Círculo Militar da Praia Vermelha

Thursdays (20h) Saturdays (20h) Praça General Tibúrcio s/nº (Urca) 2275 7245/25437284 Rio de Janeiro _RJ (Centre) . Beautifully located venue with fabulous views On Thursdays there is samba and choro with grupo MP3 till 10pm. On Saturdays singer Helô Mouzer with a trio, till midnight.

DCE da UFRJ

Thursdays (21h): Av. Pasteur, 250 (Urca) - Rio de Janeiro _RJ_ .The roda de samba of DCE da UFRJ with grupo Parangolé has brought pagode inside the walls of the university. Entrance is free and drinks are cheap. No entry after 11pm, but it goes on till 2am.

SUBURBS

Pagode da Tia Doca

Sundays (17h) Rua João Vicente, 219 (Madureira) Rio de Janeiro _RJ_(suburbs).
Run by Tia Doca, of the Velha Guarda da Portela, This is one of the most traditional pagodes in Rio. Arrive early if you want a seat..