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bars & clubs

Silêncio Ipanema

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Silêncio (Ipanema) is a fun, flirty gay bar in the heart of Ipanema — a solid “start here, stay too long” option when you want drinks, DJs, and a crowd that’s clearly there to socialize (and yes, flirt). It’s also one of the few places that manages to feel like a bar first… and still turns into a party when the night hits.


Rua Teixeira de Melo, 47 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro (Google Map »)

Open daily from 12PM (free entry) — check Instagram for tonight’s DJ/programming.

The vibe is very Ipanema: easy, confident, and a little showy in the best way. Expect pop/party energy depending on the night, and a mixed crowd (locals + visitors) that skews social early and more dancey later.

If you’re staying near Posto 9 / Farme de Amoedo (the gay beach zone), Silêncio is an easy add-on to your night — especially when you want something fun that isn’t a full-on mega-club commitment.

Two tips for visitors:
1) Go earlier if you want space to chat; go later if you want the room to feel more “party.”
2) Programming changes constantly — use Instagram as the official “what’s happening tonight” source before you leave the hotel.

Back to the master list:

Rio Gay Bars & Clubs »

bars & clubs, rio de janeiro

Silêncio Barra da Tijuca

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⛔ Permanently closed

Silêncio (Barra da Tijuca) is now closed. If you’re searching for the old Barra location, the official Silêncio Barra profile currently indicates fechado (closed).


Av. Olegário Maciel, 135 – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro (Google Map »)

Looking for Silêncio in Rio? The active venue is Silêncio Ipanema (Zona Sul), which continues to post current programming and hours. Before you go, always check the latest updates on Instagram:
@silencio.ipanema.

Back to the master list:

Rio Gay Bars & Clubs »

bars & clubs, rio de janeiro

Up Turn

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Up Turn is one of Barra’s best-known LGBT-friendly nightlife options — part bar, part balada, and famous for its big, high-energy open bar nights. It’s located inside the Freeway Center shopping complex on Avenida das Américas.


Av. das Américas, 2000 (Freeway Center) – Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro (Google Map »)

What to expect: themed nights, pop/funk energy, a mixed crowd, and a “party-first” vibe that’s easy to plug into if you’re staying in Barra. The schedule changes constantly, so treat Instagram as the “official truth” for tonight’s theme, start time, and ticket link.

Two tips for visitors:
1) Barra is spread out — arrive by Uber/taxi, and don’t assume you’ll “just wander” into nightlife on foot.
2) If you’re using public transit, some event listings reference the BRT stop Afrânio Costa as the closest station.

Back to the master list:

Rio Gay Bars & Clubs »

rio de janeiro

Gay Bars & Clubs of Rio de Janeiro

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In 2026, first-time visitors to Rio can follow a simple formula: stay in Zona Sul (Ipanema + Copacabana), beach by day, drinks by night, and then decide if you’re going “cute bar” or “full on party mode” in a neighborhood.

Rio’s other nightlife crawl lives in Lapa + Centro. It’s not “gay-only,” but it’s open to anything and everything fun — and it’s where a lot of the city’s newer LGBTQIA+ venues and open-bar clubs are building momentum.

Rio explodes during Carnival, Gay Pride, and New Year’s Eve. And don’t forget our Google Map of Gay Rio de Janeiro to navigate the city.

★ Editor’s Choice = the places we’d highly recommend to a first-timer (or a returning Rio addict)

Zona Sul (Copacabana + Ipanema)

Black Cat (Copacabana)

Av. Princesa Isabel, 21 – Copacabana (Google Map »)
Late-night LGBTQIA+ bar/club energy in Copa — a good pick when you want something busy, loud, and unapologetically flirty. Check the weekly party themes on their socials before you go.

Fosfobox (gay-friendly / mixed)

Rua Siqueira Campos, 143 (lojas 23 & 24) – Copacabana (Google Map »)
A long-running music-first club in Copacabana. Not “gay-only,” but often queer-friendly depending on the night — techno/house/funk variations. Check the lineup.

Galeria Café ★

Rua Teixeira de Melo, 31 – Ipanema (Google Map »)
The classic Ipanema night out — especially on Fridays. Expect pop divas, “flashbacks,” a sweaty dance floor, and plenty of locals mixing with beach-week tourists. (Galeria Cafe Instagram is the best way get their schedule.) Small space, big energy.

La Cueva

Rua Miguel Lemos, 51 – Copacabana (Google Map »)
One of the oldest remaining gay bars in Rio. Often low cover (sometimes with drink deals). Popular with bears and maduros, but you’ll see plenty of mixed ages depending on the night. More info online.

Pink Flamingo ★

Rua Raul Pompéia, 102 – Copacabana (Google Map »)
Since 2019, Pink Flamingo has been a Rio gay nightlife favorite — drag, pop nights, themed events, and a crowd that mixes locals + tourists without feeling like a trap. Great “default choice” when you’re staying in Copacabana or walking over from Ipanema.
Read our full review of Pink Flamingo »

Silêncio (Ipanema)

Rua Teixeira de Melo, 47 – Ipanema (Google Map »)
A newer LGBTQIA+ bar concept with DJs and a more “cocktails + flirting + dancing when it happens” vibe. If you want a modern bar crowd (not a giant club), this is a strong addition to the Zona Sul shortlist. Always verify tonight’s vibe on Silêncio Ipanema.
Read our venue page »

TAU Bar Club (Copacabana)

Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, 1417 – Copacabana (Google Map »)
A modern “bar-club” hybrid: start with drinks, stay for the dance floor. This is also the clean update if you remember the old TV Bar era at this address — the vibe has evolved, the location is the same. Check out the TAU Bar Instagram and know before you go.
(Legacy) Read our older write-up of TV Bar »

Lapa + Centro

Bailão Carioca ★ (party series)

Rua do Rezende, 82 – Centro/Lapa (Google Map »)
A recurring party aimed at maduros, bears, chasers, and admirers — more “men’s night out” than glitter-circuit. If you’re traveling with a bear/daddy agenda (or you just prefer a more mature crowd), this is a strong niche pick. Check Bailão Carioca’s Instagram for exact dates.

Gafieira Elite (gay-friendly / mixed)

Av. Mem de Sá, 79 – Centro (Google Map »)
A classic Rio dance hall for samba + gafieira nights. Not a gay bar, but openly mixed and typically welcoming — a fun option when you want “real Rio nightlife” and actual dancing. Check Gafieira Elite’s Instagram for schedules.

Mara Club ★

Rua do Lavradio, 190 – Lapa (Google Map »)
One of the biggest “new era” LGBTQIA+ venues in Rio: open-bar club format, multiple rooms, drag + DJs, and a crowd that actually shows up to dance. If you’re doing Lapa/Centro for a proper night out, Mara Club is the anchor.

Mansão L&D + Retrô 1140 (Centro)

Rua André Cavalcanti, 58 – Centro (Google Map »)
If you remember Buraco da Lacraia: that historic address closed during the pandemic era, but the casarão is back in rotation as Mansão L&D — and “Retrô 1140” nights are being promoted here now. Think: big open-bar energy, mixed tribes, and late hours. Always check the current calendar before you go.

Portal Rio

Rua do Lavradio, 163 – Lapa (Google Map »)
A popular LGBTQIA+ club address in Lapa with a more “events + open-bar nights” personality. Portal Rio is a good option when you want Lapa energy but don’t want to gamble on random door lines elsewhere.

The Pride of Lapa

Lapa – Rio de Janeiro (Google Map »)
A queer-forward party space in the heart of Lapa focused on themed nights, pop throwbacks, and celebratory chaos. Programming can shift week to week, so don’t assume — always verify via The Pride of Lapa Instagram before heading out.

Port Zone / “Big Night Out” Clubs

The Home ★

Rua Sacadura Cabral, 135 – Saúde (Google Map »)
If you miss the old mega-club era, this is where a lot of that energy lives now. Big production, big nights, serious sound, and a crowd that’s there for a full session (not a quick drink). There’s no place like The Home!

Barra da Tijuca

Up Turn Bar & Lounge

Av. das Américas, 2000 – Barra da Tijuca (Google Map »)
A lively Barra bar option (especially Saturdays) for anyone curious to see the neighborhood outside the tourist bubble. Check the Up Turn Instagram and know before you go.
Read our venue page »

Other Neighborhoods

Vuvu (Botafogo)

Rua Dezenove de Fevereiro, 188 – Botafogo (Google Map »)
A stylish LGBTQ+ bar known for themed nights, DJs, and a dance floor when things hit. Mixed crowd, strong drinks, and a younger vibe depending on the night. Always check Vuvu’s Instagram for tonight’s event.

Closed / Historic

Buraco da Lacraia

Rua André Cavalcanti, 58 – Centro (Google Map »)
Historic Rio LGBTQ+ cabaret/party institution. The classic “Buraco era” ended with the pandemic, but the location remains a nightlife address (see Mansão L&D above).

Le Boy

Rua Raul Pompéia, 102 – Copacabana (Google Map »)
⛔ Closed (classic era) ⛔
A legendary name in Rio gay nightlife history

Silêncio (Barra da Tijuca)

⛔ Permanently closed. If you’re searching this in 2026, use Silêncio’s Ipanema location instead.
Read the archived venue page »

The Week (Rio)

Rua Sacadura Cabral, 135 – Saúde (Google Map »)
⛔ Closed (classic era) ⛔
For years this was the Saturday institution. If you’re searching for “The Week Rio” in 2026, start with The Home (listed above).

bars & clubs, rio de janeiro

Pink Flamingo

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Fun nightlife in Copacabana

Rua Duvivier 21
Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil Google Map »
Every night from 8pm to 4am

Finally! There’s more competition for your gay dollars with the launch of Pink Flamingo. Even though, Ipanema remains the gayest neighborhood (with Galeria Cafe reigning as its most-popular nightspot), Copacabana stands as a fierce competitor with TV Bar, La Cueva, and now Pink Flamingo.

The mostly gay male crowd is pretty diverse and most visitors will feel welcome. Pink Flamingo offers an early start on nightlife (doors open at 8pm) and is frequently becoming a warm-up for the “party boys” who head over to mega-club The Week after midnight.

Pink Flamingo is open seven days a week and each night has a little something different: DJs, stripper contests, Scruff-app nights, funk music parties, and more. Drink specials are tasty and priced accordingly to the Copacabana neighborhood.

Two tips for visitors: If you stay in Ipanema, it’s fun to take a 45 minute post-sunset walk along the beach into Copacabana for early drinks at Pink Flamingo. Or, if you plan stay in Copa, get a room a couple of blocks away from Flamingo at the Hilton Copacabana. You’ll need a good night’s sleep after a night at the Flamingo.