Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Tonight — September 5, 2026
If You Only Go to One Place
Rio Scenarium, Feijoada by Day and Samba by Night
Saturday is the only day this house opens twice, with the two sessions ticketed separately. Riotur lists 12:00 to 18:00 for the feijoada and 20:00 to 03:00 for the night.
Tonight at a Glance
- —Rio Scenarium · Centro Feijoada 12:00 to 18:00, night 20:00 to 03:00. Separate tickets.
- —Carioca da Gema · Lapa Recent Saturdays opened 20:30 with the show at 22:00. Check Sympla.
- —Both sell through Sympla Rio Scenarium warns that a reservation is not an entry ticket.
- —Tomorrow is unusual Carioca da Gema’s agenda lists a Sunday opening on 6 September.
- —Pedra do Sal · not tonight Riotur and the city’s samba map both list the roda on Mondays.
- —Long weekend Monday 7 September is the Independence Day holiday.
Saturday 5 September 2026 is Lapa’s longest night of the week. One house has been open since midday already.
The other starts late and runs until 03:00.
What’s On Tonight
Only Saturday splits into two sessions at Rio Scenarium. Riotur lists the sessions as 12:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 03:00.
The venue fills seven rooms across three floors of linked nineteenth-century houses at Rua do Lavradio 20. Its programme moves from samba de raiz through gafieira and chorinho to pop in the annexe hall.
The two sessions are sold separately, with the daytime one costing more. A recent Saturday listed night tickets at R$30 (US$6) concession and R$45 (US$9) advance, with the feijoada from R$75 (US$15).
The house states that it takes no responsibility for tickets bought outside its official channel. A reservation does not guarantee entry — worth remembering on a busy Saturday.
Carioca da Gema opens later than Rio Scenarium on a Saturday. Recent Saturdays have had doors at 20:30, the show at 22:00 and a cover near R$35 (US$7).
The house sits at Avenida Mem de Sá 79, a few minutes on foot from Rua do Lavradio. It has programmed samba and chorinho in the same townhouse since 2000.
Its agenda also lists an opening tomorrow, Sunday 6 September — the eve of the holiday. Sunday is not normally one of its nights, so that is worth knowing in advance.
The Circuit
The feijoada is the daytime option, running from midday to six. It is a different room and a different crowd from the same address after dark.
The night session opens at 20:00 and runs to 03:00, the latest of the week. Buy through Sympla before you leave rather than queuing on Rua do Lavradio.
Carioca da Gema follows at 20:30, with its show at 22:00. The two addresses are close enough that starting at one and finishing at the other is easy.
Where to Go
Rio Scenarium — Centro
A set of linked nineteenth-century houses turned music venue in 2001. Seven rooms over three floors, packed with an antiques collection running to thousands of pieces.
- TodayFeijoada 12:00 to 18:00, night 20:00 to 03:00. Ticketed separately.
- This weekWednesday and Thursday 19:00 to 01:00, Friday 19:00 to 02:00.
- TicketsThrough Sympla, priced per night. A reservation is not an entry ticket.
- AddressRua do Lavradio 20, Centro. Metro Cinelândia, then a short walk.
- NoteRead the Portuguese pages for hours. The English blurb is out of date.
Carioca da Gema — Lapa
A samba and chorinho house in a two-storey Lapa townhouse, open since 2000. It has a main salon, a veranda and a mezzanine with table service throughout.
- TonightRecent Saturdays: doors 20:30, show 22:00, cover near R$35 (US$7).
- This weekTuesday through Thursday at 20:30, Friday at 21:30.
- TomorrowIts agenda lists a Sunday opening on 6 September, the holiday eve.
- TicketsThrough Sympla, as single places or tables, priced per night.
- AddressAvenida Mem de Sá 79, Lapa. Metro Cinelândia, then a short walk.
Pedra do Sal — Saúde, for Monday
The stone steps in the old port where Carioca samba took shape. It’s the free roda most visitors have heard of — just not on a Saturday.
- WhenRiotur and the city’s samba map both list it on Mondays.
- Next oneMonday 7 September — Brazil’s Independence Day.
- NoteThe site has no official page, so check the city listing first.
Money and How Paying Works
Dollar figures use the Banco Central PTAX selling rate of R$5.1253 to US$1, set on 4 September 2026. Both houses price per night, so treat the figures here as recent levels rather than tonight’s tariff.
Rio Scenarium sells through Sympla and warns against buying anywhere else. Carioca da Gema also sells through Sympla, as single places or as tables.
A service charge of 10 per cent is usually added to bills as serviço in seated houses. Check the bill before adding anything on top.
Getting Home Safe
Rio Scenarium runs to 03:00 tonight, well past the metro’s usual service. Plan a rideshare home and book it from inside the venue.
Check the last train for your own line before you rely on it. Both houses run later than the metro’s usual service, so check ahead.
Keep your phone away on the quieter streets between the two addresses. The walk is short — go with company, not alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Saturday different at Rio Scenarium?
It is the only day the house opens twice, with the sessions ticketed separately. Riotur lists 12:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 03:00.
What will tonight cost?
A recent Saturday listed Rio Scenarium night tickets at R$30 (US$6) concession and R$45 (US$9) advance, with the feijoada from R$75 (US$15). Carioca da Gema’s cover has been near R$35 (US$7).
Can I catch the Pedra do Sal roda tonight?
No. Riotur and the city’s samba map both list the roda on Mondays, so the next one falls on Monday 7 September.
Is anything open tomorrow?
Carioca da Gema’s agenda lists an opening on Sunday 6 September, the eve of the Independence Day holiday. Sunday is not normally one of its nights, so check the agenda first.
Sources: Rio Scenarium, opening hours, Rio Scenarium on Sympla, Carioca da Gema, shows, Carioca da Gema on Sympla, Riotur, Rio Scenarium opening hours, Riotur, rodas de samba, Banco Central do Brasil, PTAX
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