Free Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro

With local gatherings, open bars, street parties and live samba events every day of the week-Rio is the heart and soul of the party. If you are a visitor watching the pennies or looking for a quintessential Rio experience, it is worth making the most of the city's free midnight gems. Here's a rundown on the hippest and happening weekly local events.

Monday Night Samba

Every Monday night, hundreds of Cariocas follow the sounds of the jungle drums to the birthplace of Samba and the city's best place for a weekly dose of the contagious rhythm. Where? Pedra do Sal. At the centre of the region known during the colonial time as “Little Africa”, lies the huge, smooth rock descending down to Largo Joao da Baiana. As you draw closer to the neighbourhood of Saude, you'll struggle to believe it's only 7 pm on a “school night”. On the steps of the Pedra, you will find a casual and easygoing atmosphere; mobbed streets lined with vendors lauding all sorts of tantalizing treats-from fresh caipirinhas and ice-cold beers, to tasty smoked kebabs and juicy sweet roasted corn.

The access is free-all you need is a little space to participate in the road, clapping your hands to the simple and pure beats of the Sambistas' performances. The event draws in folk from diverse cultural backgrounds and people of all ages. Open from 7pm-1am.

Baixo Gavea

Samba aside, Rio's party scene has much more to offer. B.G is just one of the bars in the Baixo Gavea area that is part of a Mardi Grass-like street explosion; attracting young people from around 18-35 years old. Located in the vicinity of Praca Santos Dumont, Baixa Gavea is a bohemian enclave of the South Zone and a must-go hangout place to meet hot hipster locals and tourists. Head down to grab a bottle of Cerveja, spill out onto the street, flirt, meet friends and hit up all the bars on the block.

As a tradition, Thursdays and Sundays are the most popular days-whether it's to prolong or anticipate the weekend. If you're feeling peckish, there are a range of pizza, Brazilian and German restaurants around the area. Get there for around 10 pm.

Friday night in Lapa

The edgy district of Lapa was the old bohemian quarter and now serves as the hub for bars, clubs and unwinding. There's always something happening but the best days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Most famously-Lapa is the place to be on a Friday night. The party is everywhere, in the samba clubs, dive bars-you name it. For the best samba music in town, head to the preserved heritage buildings turned music venues such as Estrela da Lapa, Carioca da Gema.

For a much grittier street scene, join the crowd in the square by the arches. Centred around the Rua da Lapa and Rua Joaquim Silva, this alley is a major hot spot for young people drinking beer from vendors, dancing to music, whilst looking for love. The square is jam-packed with food and drinks stalls. The surrounding small music venues are dark, rough and a little seedy but part of the fun is poking in to enjoy a motley of beats-anything from reggae to samba to Brega, hip-hop and funk going on. You really won't experience nightlife quite like it, but make sure you wear your trainers.