So you made it to Rio de Janeiro and you are attempting to explore all the great things that Rio has to offer. Besides the beaches and bikinis there are many other great things to see outside of Ipanema and Copacabana. While Lapa can be a dangerous area for the less traveled explorer there are plenty of great things to see. The biggest part to know about anywhere in Rio is that it is most wise not to explore any uphill traveling. Unfortunately uphill is where many of the favelahs are which, for the most part, leaves you as an easy tourist target. Sure Santa Teresa is one of the few exceptions and happens to be in Lapa and the stairs of Selarón are a beautiful sight to see but these explorations are best during the day. Those are the ‘debbie downers’ of Lapa but there is plenty of sin and fun to be had in the former red light district.

The beauty of the aqueducts is something to take in with awe, as you scarf down your street vendor meal and beer. Sure they sell liquor but I’m always a little leery about drinking out of the already opened bottle, a freshly opened can of beer will do it for me. I recommend you hit one of the street side cafés and enjoy the live music, drinks and snacks for a while because the fun doesn’t begin till after midnight. A fun game to play while you watch people walk buy is guessing if the prostitute is pre or post op, that or watching the American male tourists flirt with a ‘woman’ who is more than meets the eye. Ultimately the ‘woman’ will wait till the opportune time to get her money and have him spring for the love motel, and that’s when the real surprise will come because this sultry Chiquita hides her banana somewhere other than her hat.

Somewhere between midnight and one find yourself down Rua do Lavradio to an amazing Samba club called Rio Scenarium Pavilhão da cultura. You don’t want to rush to get there too early because it will be dead and you’ll miss out on the street shows, but if you arrive too late be prepared for a long line. This place is packed with live samba music, beautiful people and three floors of dance entertainment. There is plenty of nooks and crannies to explore also, if you search near the bathroom on the second floor you will find a whole different dance floor with a live DJ. This place has a great vibe and is a sure way to enjoy yourself with some friends on an exciting night. There is a good mix of locals and travelers so even if you didn’t bring a date you can chat up someone and maybe even find a local help you to properly samba. This place goes until the early morning leaving you plenty of time to romance or drink up to your hearts content.

A final and slight forewarning, from the main strip of bars in Lapa this is a little bit of a walk down a side street and technically lands you in Centro Antigo part of town. This shouldn’t be any problem in your drunken stumble but if you feel uneasy about the walking the streets at night you can always have a taxi drop you off at:

Rio Scenarium

Rua do Lavradio, 20

Centro Antigo | Rio de Janeiro

www.rioscenarium.com.br

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