Gay Clubbing Scene in Rio

There is more to Rio than bichas (gay men) on beaches, and if its parties you’re after, then you’re in for a treat. Dinner in Rio is served around 8 or 9. Nightclubs never start before midnight, so most tourists go on a crawl of the gay bars, before they hit the clubs. Some of these venues have dance floors with DJ's, to get you warmed up for the night ahead.

Cabaret Casanova, Rua Mem de Sá 25, Lapa. Tel: 2221-6555. This tried-and-true nightspot has been gay for about 100 years, according to locals, and has carried its current name for about 60. Its very basic décor includes a cavernous, dark dance floor and a small back terrace with a beautiful circular iron staircase that surely dates to the club’s historic past. Pay the $6 admission and enjoy a $4 caipivodka. Features osme of the hottest strippers in town.

Cine Ideal, Rua da Carioca 64, Centro. Tel: 2221-1964. Large dance club, set in a former theater, open Friday and Saturday. Its pay-one-price, drink-all-you-want admission (about $9) often creates a line around the corner just to get in. A rare sample of belle époque style architecture, it is one of the largest electronic music clubs in the city and a , roof deck with great views of the city.Opening Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 23h30

Club 117, Rua Cândido Mendes 117, Glória. Tel: 2252-0160. One of the liveliest saunas in the “show and boys” category, with three levels. http://www.club117.com.br

Dama de Ferro Rua Vinicius de Moraes 288, Ipanema. Tel: 2247-2330. Electronica reins at this hot nightspot, which attracts open-minded gays and straights. http://www.damadeferro.com.br. This stylish club stays open until really late (or early), with its dancefloor often still packed at 8AM when a diverse crowd is still dancing.

Le Boy/La Girl, Rua Raul Pompéia 102, Copacabana. Tel: 2513-4993. Le Boy, a large dance club with a mostly male clientele is less trendy, but also less expansive, than some of its counterparts elsewhere in the city. It attracts a good crowd of locals and vacationers. Next-door is the newer La Girl, a popular nightclub for lesbians.

Studio 64, Rua Redentor 64, Ipanema. Tel: 2523-5670. Housed in a lovely old home, this male-only sauna opens daily at 3 P.M. (without “boys” or shows).

The Week, Rua Sacadura Cabral 154, Centro. Tel. 2163-2000. São Paulo’s most famous gay men’s dance club opened an extremely popular branch in Rio de Janeiro last year. The steep cover charge makes this a pricey, but highly recommended choice. The Week Rio is different because it opens only on Saturdays, allowing the place to be used during week-days for private events and parties. Its line-up also gathers Djs that are listed as some of the best in domestic and international electronic music. Besides their regular Djs, the Week also receives frequent guest Djs from countries such as the United States, Mexico and Canada, among others.

00 (Zero Zero) www.00site.com.br Located at the Gávea Planetarium, it has an hybrid design which combines an open air garden with a contemporary cuisine restaurant, and a modern dance floor. On Sundays, starting at 17h, “00” welcomes into its garden-deck the house DJs Pax (deep house) and Paula J Bastos (electro). At 22h the main dance floor is opened, with the best house music by house DJ Rafael Calvente + special guests. Projections on ceilings and walls add color to the night along with a varied group of men and women that appreciate GLS electronic scenario.Straight/mixed place throughout the week but mostly gay on Sundays.

Casa de Matriz (Rua Henrique de Novais 107 -Botofogo), house-cum-nightclub, dancing, games, movies, alternative party people escaping the standard club scene.

Club 1140 (Rua Capitao Menezes, 1140 -Placa Seca/Jacarepagua) long-time Rio favorite gay nightclub, 3 areas to choose from, patio, big crowd, elaborate drag performances.

Boite 1140 - The three dancefloors at this club still gets packed two decades after it opened. It's a classic in Rio's gay life, and remains a fun place with flamboyant drag queens roaming around as one of the dancefloors presents samba and other Brazilian sounds. Elsewhere you'll find colorful bars and DJs mixing international hits.

PaPaG - This is the place for all-night dancing, with several DJs spinning dance mixes. The lounge downstairs and the terrace are chosen by those who simply want to chat over drinks or for a break from the dancefloor.

Fosfobox -Gay and straight mix at this Copacabana club. It has over a dozen DJs choosing the dance music and offers a long list of drinks.

Lounge 69 (Rua Prudente de Moraes, 416 -Ipanema) trendy club on three levels, good sound system, restaurant buffet, after-beach crowd sips on fruity drinks.