In September 2025, a number of incidents sparked a wave of panic throughout the major cities of Brazil.  At bars, restaurants and nightclubs, unsuspecting customers fell victim to methanol poisoning from adulterated alcoholic drinks.

Over a month later, investigators still do not have a complete picture of what is behind the rash of poisonings that have left many Brazilians hospitalized, blinded, and even dead.  The Brazilian health minister has issued a warning about the consumption of alcoholic drinks and the dangers of methanol.

Gay bars across Brazil have responded on social media to assure customers that they only service alcohol from legitimate sources and are concerned for customer safety.  Bars and restaurants across the spectrum are seeing an increase in beer and wine sales as customers avoid alcoholic beverages.  As of this report, none of the establishments include LGBT bars and restaurants.

The current wave of methanol poisonings appears to be unrelated to the much older attacks known as “Boa noite, Cinderela”  (Good night, Cinderella) in which drugs are slipped into the drinks of victims who are later robbed while incapacitated.  These crimes have plagued nightlife for decades.  Currently, the drinks adulterated with methanol appear to be contaminated at the source, some even before the bottles are sealed.