Editor’s Choice 2019: Best Nightclub in Rio Continue reading The Week RJ
Category Archives: rio de janeiro
Gay Saunas, Cinemas, and Sex Clubs of Rio de Janeiro
Do gay men really need a guide to getting laid in Rio de Janeiro? It is a city with several gay clubs and an open culture where a stroll along the beach can lead to a sexual conquest. Combined with mobile apps like Grindr, Scruff, and Tinder (all very popular in Brazil) sex is almost too easy in Rio. (Also, don’t forget, prostitution is legal in Brazil.)
However, in Portuguese they say o que é bom pode ser melhor (what is good can be better.) The following list of Rio de Janeiro’s saunas, cinemas, and sex clubs will definitely make a hot time even hotter! Most of the locations are tourist friendly, but use caution. And try the VamosGay Google Map to Gay Rio de Janeiro to navigate the city.
Cine Iris
Rua da Carioca 49
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Sat 10AM – 9PM
Sunday 12PM – 9PM
Creepy former cinema palace in downtown Rio. There are three floors where action takes place in the shadows while porn is projected onto the main screen. At the box office there is a schedule of live strip shows, however the performers are female. Location is also popular with transsexual prostitutes.
Cine Rex
Alvaro Alvim 33
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Fri 11AM – 8PM
Sat and Sun 2PM – 8PM
Another one of Rio’s former grand movie theaters in the Cinelândia neighborhood. Cine Rex has fallen into disrepair and become a XXX theater. By day, there are patrons from the nearby offices of Rio’s bustling business district. For the most part, the clientele is not-so-hot.
Club 117
Rua Cândido Mendes 117
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Tue – Sun 3PM -1AM
Closed on Mondays
Best little whorehouse in Rio! This sauna where muscular escorts solicit clients is also home to some of the city’s most popular drag and stripper performances.
Kabalk Sauna
Rua Santa Luíza 459
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Everyday 3PM – 11PM
Sauna offers massage and an outdoor area.
Klub Meetings
Praça Tiradentes, Rua Pedro I num 7 sala 903
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Open Sunday through Tuesday morning. Text for specific hours.
Invitation-only private club in downtown Rio with selective membership for in-shape and well-hung men. Not a sauna but more of a private grand party house. Send a WhatsApp message to get on the list +55 (21) 98367-8172
New Meio Mundo
Rua Teófilo Otoní 18
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mondays and Fridays 3PM – 12AM
Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sat 3PM – 11PM
Sauna located downtown is popular with the after-work crowd. Stripper and drag shows on the weekend. Reasonably-priced guys make it popular with locals.
Nova Manhattan 21 (formerly Manhattan Rio’s)
Rua Buenos Aires 21
Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Fri 3pm to 11pm
Sundays Closed and Saturday (mostly closed)
New sauna with escorts and drag shows … Read full review
Praia do Abricó / Abrico Nude Beach
Near Grumari Beach
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Open ever day
How many nude beaches does Rio officially have? Only one! Yes, one of the world’s sexiest cities actually had zero clothing-optional beaches until the government approved Abrico Beach in 2014. The crowd is mixed and respectful.
Praia da Farme / Posto 9
Rua Farme de Amoedo & Avenida Viera Souto
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Open everyday
Look for the rainbow flag and the buff bronze lifeguards to find the gayest section of Ipanema Beach. Enjoy the sun and watch the natives play volleyball. No sex here, but flirt all you want.
Point 202
Rua Siqueira Campos 202
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Tue – Thur 3PM – 11PM
Wednesdays 3PM – 12AM
Sauna for escorts and clients in Copacabana has gone down over the years, but is still worth a visit for those looking spends some cash for a good time.
Rio G Spa
Rua Teixeira de Melo 16
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Everday 3PM to 12AM
Very popular destination after a day on Ipanema Beach. Few to zero hustlers. Almost always a crowd of in-shape men after 5PM.
Sauna Copacabana
Rua Dias da Rocha 83
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Everday from 12PM to 12AM
For older daddies and their fans. No escorts.
Sauna Carioca
Rua de Guaratiba 20
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Everyday from 3PM to 12AM
Sauna with a relaxed social vibe.
Seven Cruising Bar
Praça da República 141
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Sat 10AM – 11PM
Sundays 7AM – 10PM
Bar with cabins and other areas to play.
Click below for our review and event listings for Carnival 2017!
Read our full review of Seven Cruising Bar
Sex Rose
Rua Álvaro Alvim, 37
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Thur 9AM – 11PM
Saturdays 9AM – 10PM
Sundays 1PM – 10PM
Enter what appears to be a simple adult bookstore with condoms, videos, and toys … then pay the entrance fee and continue upstairs to a very hot crowd of 20, 30, and 40 year-olds. There’s even a small bar and club music! This hidden gem is highly recommended.
Termas Catete
Rua Corrêa Dutra 34
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Sun – Thur 1PM – 12AM
Fridays and Saturdays 1PM – 6AM
Escort-free sauna for the average Jose.
Termas Leblon
Rua Barrão da Torre 522
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Google Map »
Mon – Wed 12PM – 12AM
Thur – Sun 12PM – 6AM
Great facilities for the over 40 crowd.
Seven Cruising Bar
Hook-up bar in the heart of downtown Rio. Continue reading Seven Cruising Bar
Scala Rio Gay Ball
« Return to Carnival 2018 Home
Carnival events in Rio de Janeiro can be placed into one of three categories:
- blocos da rua – These are block parties originally organized by neighborhood groups. One of the oldest, Banda de Ipanema, is also a gay-friendly bloco
- bailes (formal indoor balls) – These cabaret-style balls are a long standing tradition with food, drinks, and amazing live performances.
- parada / desfile – Huge spectacular parade in which escolas de samba (Samba schools) compete for the grand prize in Rio’s massive Sambadrome arena.
The Scala Rio Gay Ball is a baile (one of its many names is the Baile Gay do Rio Scala.) During Carnival, many balls are held at the Scala Rio nightclub, but they save the best (and most fabulous for last.)
Getting There / Getting Tickets
In 2018, The Scala Rio Gay Ball will take place on Tuesday, February 13. Doors open at 11:00PM, but we recommend entering after midnight. There are many blocos nearby in the Cinelândia neighborhood. There are various levels of tickets: one is general admission that gives access to an open-bar and snacks (R$118 = US$35), the others are VIP levels that have full dinner and a separate area (prices vary.)
Some websites offer tickets, but we recommend ordering them through the front desk of your hotel. Any of the hotels on our list of gay-friendly hotels in Rio will be happy to assist!
The Scala Rio nightclub is easily accessible via Metro (the Cinelândia station connects with stops in Copacabana and Ipanema.) Consult our Google Map of gay Rio.
What to Expect
The Scala Rio Gay Ball began as a costume ball, but over the years the rules have loosened. Some attendees pull out all the stops with Vegas showgirl style drag, or full S&M leather gear. Superhero costumes are increasingly popular as well as spooky outfits you might expect for Halloween. Attendees are free to not wear costumes, so throw on a festive hat and you’ll be welcome to join the fun.
If you enter at midnight, the ball will appear a bit lame. The fabulous people are still out partying in the streets. However, if you are with a group, it is a good hour to relax a bit and enjoy the free drinks. You can also watch the red carpet full of travestis in full drag regalia. At the entrance of the Scala Rio nightclub, camera crews will be set up to broadcast the over-the-top drag queens.
The main hall has a DJ and the dance floor can get crowded. Once the live samba band takes the stage, the true feeling of Brazilian carnival takes over. The atmosphere is very friendly, full of Brazilians and tourists looking to have a good time.
The crowd is a mix of ages, but men over 40 will feel very comfortable. Gays who are looking for a circuit party where they can dance until dawn with their shirts off will be much happier at The Week.
Share your Carnival experience or get more from VamosGay via email, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Bar 48
⛔ CLOSED
Trendy, mostly-straight bar attracted the beautiful people and was fun while it lasted. Continue reading Bar 48
Felice
Editor’s Choice: Best Gay Dining in Ipanema Continue reading Felice
TV Bar
Pop music packs a very mixed crowd into one of Copacabana’s most popular gay bars.
Continue reading TV Bar
Gávea, Rio de Janeiro’s Gay Friendly Hotels
The affluent residential neighborhood Gávea is a must-visit for any frequent traveler to Rio de Janeiro. Located in the city’s zona sul, the southern region of the city which also encompasses Ipanema and Leblon, Gávea also enjoys spectacular views of the coast. Continue reading Gávea, Rio de Janeiro’s Gay Friendly Hotels
Gay Couple Ejected By Homophobic Driver in Rio
A 36 year-old businessman will file a claim with the organization “Rio Without Homophobia” against a driver hailed using the 99taxis app (a popular alternative to Uber in Latin America.)
The plaintiff and his boyfriend were ejected from the car in the dead of the night on Avenida Almirante Barroso in downtown Rio. The reason for expelling the couple? One boyfriend fell asleep during the ride resting his head on the other’s shoulder.
They claim the driver informed them “I think you better leave. I don’t want perversion in my car.” as reported by Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
The couple had just left the popular Carnival bloco “Bunytos de Corpo” at 2AM.
The story of the homophobic 99taxis driver sparked a firestorm on Brazilian social media. Shortly thereafter, 99taxis issued a statement in a follow up story by O Globo announcing that the driver in question had been dismissed.
Le Boy
Rio’s most popular gay nightspot! Continue reading Le Boy