Rio de Janeiro

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Gay Rio

A travel journal to Rio de Janeiro by Clabrazil Best of IgoUgo

Gay IpanemaMore Photos

Rio is considered to be a very openminded city. Well, it isn't that obvious, but it certainly has a lot of activities for gay people.

  • 9 reviews
  • 2 photos

Gay RioBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Above all, Rio is a magnificent city with great nature and beautiful spots. People are very mixed, too, which makes the city quite special. When it concerns the gay community, it's not so well organised or open like Amsterdam or San Francisco. But it also offers some specific entertainment.

Quick Tips:

When you come here with your partner, don't show too much affection in the streets, for example. You might look gay, and people won't bother you for this. But remember you're in a Catholic country, so if you bother them by walking hand in hand with your partner, they might feel offended. It's their right.

- Be aware that Brazilian men are extremely macho. They may be married with children and go for a quick one with a tranvestite, but they won't accept another 'male man' flirting with them. It's a menace to their masculinity. Respect this too to avoid problems.

- Pay special attention to huge young guys who have their ears swollen. These are the Jiu Jitsu fighters, the most homophobic creatures on Earth and spread all over the city. Don't even dare looking too much at them. They don't even deserve it.

- Go to the gay places and enjoy the freedom to flirt, kiss and whatever you feel like doing. And have fun!

Best Way To Get Around:

TaminoBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

When I went there, it was plenty of lesbians. It must have been because of the singer that night. The fact is that the place is cosy and traditional — it's been there for more than 10 years. I don't recommend their pizza, though.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Tamino
Rua Armando Quintela, 26 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Galeria CafeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Galeria Café"

Galeria Café has first started in 1998, bringing the lounge style to Rio, where in gay discos only the heavy eletronic music was heard. Besides, it was also a place for artists to show their work. It is a mix of gallery and disco, where the well known (gay) djs play. The public is high class, both men and girls, but also straight people who have no prejudice.

Just a note: to get in you must please Wallace, the doorman on Saturdays. He's the most handsome black guy in town. During the day, he even goes to Medical School; can you imagine it?
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Galeria Cafe
Rua Teixeira de Melo, 31A Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ColosseoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Don't worry to go there alone. Normally people go in groups or with a date, but then they end up meeting others anyway. it's quite a new place, this bar/disco. They charge almost nothing and inside you see the place with almost 30% of women, what is quite unusual for gay places. The men are mainly searching for fun, and they find it after 1 am. Just wish they had a new dj on Saturday, cause she insists on playing that cheap 80's dance music no one can hear anymore. The good point is that they have wonderful Italian sandwiches worth trying whether or not you get to be hungry.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Colosseo
Rua Teixeira de Melo, 25 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BofetadaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This bar was quite polemic some years ago, when gays started to take control of it. Some of the old habitues, like mid-aged wealthy ladies from Ipanema, say they stole it from them. Anyway, it's the place to be during Carnival or even the whole Summer. Order a beer (called chopp) and enjoy the weather.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Bofetada
Rua Farme de Amoedo, 87 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

RainbowBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's been the most popular gay point for long years already, since they decided to put the rainbow flag on it. The spot is perfect: between Copacabana palace, the most art nouveau like hotel in Rio and the sea of Copacabana. It's open 24 hours a day and there are some performers once in a while.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Rainbow
Avenida Atlântica, in front of Copacabana Palace Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Le BoyBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Dancing kings
No matter what others may say, Gilles Lascard, the French owner of Le Boy, knows how to make a happening of his disco. It's the biggest one for gays in town. And if you don't feel comfortable with all the women around you when you go dancing, don't worry about it there: they charge almost double for the ladies who insist on getting inside.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Le Boy
Rua Raul Pompéia, 102 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22080-000
+55 21 25134993

AcessoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

That's the only exclusive lesbian disco in Rio. They don't block men's entry there, but it's just not fun for you boys. The girls are everywhere. Notice that many have boyfriends, but are experiencing something with their best girlfriends. It's plain to see.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Acesso
Rua Visconde Silva, Botafogo Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ipanema (General)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Ipanema (where Farme de Amoedo street ends)"

Gay Ipanema
There you'll feel like home. Or like in Paradise, cause the boys go there to see and be seen by each other. You will surely understand why 'cariocas' (Rio's inhabitants) are so much into sports once you've been sun tanning among all those handsome — and somewhat vain — guys.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Clabrazil on August 24, 2000

Ipanema (General)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

About the Writer

Clabrazil
Clabrazil
Frankfurt, Germany

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