The best bars and cafés São Paulo

Superb décor and great atmosphere. A must!

Opened in 1948, it's one of the icons of festive São Paulo, at the crossroads of Ipiranga and São João avenues, immortalized by Catano Veloso in one of his songs. A bar for the "intellos" of the 70s, we go there for the quality of the concerts and also, or perhaps above all, for the history. Despite a deteriorating neighborhood, to say the least, the Brahma bar is a must, with a very retro and timeless charm. Musical cutlery is a little pricey, but the bands that play in this mythical venue in the center of São Paulo are quality acts. In the evening, take a cab.

For those nostalgic for the London music of the 1980 s with DJ, in a festive, dancing or romantic setting, according to its tastes of the moment, it is certainly a good address. English cuisine.

To call Igrejinha (little church) a bar may seem sacrilegious. The walls feature religious images and objects, but the evenings are anything but Catholic! What's special about the bar? Colorful landline telephones scattered around the room. If you've spotted someone you're interested in, but a little far away, you can make a call (the numbers are assigned according to the colors of the extensions) and try your luck! You can just have a drink. Gay bar with a great music program. Great cocktails.

A bar that is always in fashion, both informal and hipster.Balcão, which means "counter" in Portuguese, has no tables in its main lounge, but a long, 25-metre-long counter forms a kind of spiral where you can sit on both sides. The original layout of the place encourages customers to chat with their neighbours, whom they didn't know a few minutes before, but who cares about the bottle? The Balcão is frequented by an intellectual, trendy and very friendly clientele. The establishment is gay friendly.

the Veloso Bar is named after the botequim in Rio where Vinicius and Tom Jobim composed the "Garota de Ipanema". By chance, a sign of destiny or a deliberate choice, the street bears the name "Veloso". There are only fourteen small tables in this renowned establishment in the Vila Mariana district, so you have to arrive early to get a seat. The thirsty come for the delicious and varied caipirinhas. Among the fifteen or so that make up the menu, the caipirinha with mandarin and dedo de moça pepper is exclusive to the house!

The Piraja is a small corner of Rio in São Paulo. In the heart of São Paulo, it is a haven of peace surrounded by greenery. People come here for its famous happy hour and to taste the "petiscos" like the famous bolinho carioca, a pumpkin fritter filled with meat. The cachaças and caipirinhas are also famous and varied. Guaratiba is prepared with cloves, cinnamon and a special variety of lemon. The tables are spread out on the sidewalk with Portuguese motifs, and one could well believe to be in Copacabana...

Izakaya is the Japanese equivalent of a tapas bar that will immerse you in the traditional atmosphere of the land of the rising sun. Come here to drink sake or shochu (alcohol made from different cereals) or even beers. To accompany your drink, do not ask for sushi or sashimi, because you will be disappointed. At the counter or at the table, ask the waiters for advice and take the opportunity to taste other lesser known Japanese specialities. The prices are a bit high, but you are entering a reputable house.