Practical information : Take a break Brazil
Timetable
Pastry shops, cafés and tearooms can be found in every town. Here again, opening hours vary widely, depending on the city, the season and the day of the week. On the whole, they are open from 9am to 6pm, or even 10pm in some cases, when they are part of a café. Days off vary. On Sunday, in the city centers, remember, everything is deserted because everything is closed. For example, the magic confeitaria Colombo in downtown Rio is closed on Sundays. On other days, it closes at 6 or 5 pm. At its branch in the Banco Do Brasil cultural center, it's only closed on Tuesdays. It is closed on Mondays at its Copacabana Fort address.
Bars often close at midnight on weekends, or even later, until the last customer has left. On weekdays, if there are few customers, they close earlier. Many bars also offer food.
Budget & Tips
Brazil is no longer a cheap country. Prices for gourmet breaks and alcoholic beverages are relatively similar to those in Europe. Savoury and sweet snacks are perhaps a little cheaper. On the other hand, some things are more expensive: wine, for the same quality, will be a little more expensive than in France. The price of a basic 600 ml bottle of beer varies between R$10 and R$15 in the bars of Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, and R$10 for a mug, and R$6 for a shrimp pastel . Nowadays,happy hour is becoming increasingly popular in Brazil's major cities. It's an opportunity to mingle with the local bonita at a lower price. Of course, this is also the busiest time of the year.
Age restrictions
Brazilian law prohibits the sale and service of alcohol to minors. The legal age of majority is 18, as in France. So you can't consume alcohol if you're under 18. However, it is very rare for customers to be asked to prove their age with identity papers.
What's very local
It's traditional, especially in Rio, to meet up with friends in the late afternoon, after work or, more prosaically, after the beach, in "one's" botequim, a neighborhood bar with a strong identity. It's from Friday evening onwards that this social practice is in full swing. The world is revisited, the latest match of the favorite soccer team is discussed and the future is talked about. When the weather's right, and fortunately it's often the case, the atmosphere in the neighborhoods is festive.
In beach bars and other small establishments, regulars are accustomed to leaving beer bottles under the table, where they serve as "bills" for the final bill. Clever people sometimes slip their bottles into their neighbors' piles. The piles of beer bottles are often impressive at the end of the evening.
The tradition of cafezinho offered to guests seems to be one that is holding up, as best it can, to the evolution of Brazilian society. Like cachaça, small doses or a cup can be served in some traditional Brazilian bars and restaurants. The subject is so serious in Brazil that a number of doctoral theses have been devoted to it.
Kids
Children are welcome in cafés, of course, and in bars. Legislation does not prohibit the presence of minors in drinking establishments... as long as they do not consume alcohol, of course.
Smokers
As in all enclosed public places, smoking is prohibited in bars and cafés. As in France, you'll have to leave the establishment if you miss nicotine.