Best Bars as Chosen by the Independent Panel

07/02/2013 - 17h57

Astor
Decorated in the style of the 1950s, Astor manages to be at once elegant and laid-back. It hums with chatter every night, popular with a thirtysomething crowd who come for the draught beer, served with a creamy head. There are also typical bar snacks such as canapés and sandwiches, as well as some more elaborate dishes. Don't miss out on the picadinho (beef casserole), one of the best in the city.

Caos

A window display full of vintage toys and other antiques turns the heads of passers-by on the Rua Augusta. It is the work of owner José Tibiriçá, affectionately known as Tibira, a collectionist who has nearly 2000 artifacts for sale in Caos, which is part-bar, part-shop. Once night falls, drinks like Gueixa (sake, white grapes, lychee liquor and green tea) fuel the young crowd. After 10pm, the dancefloor opens, with a different party on every night.

Katia Kuwabara/Divulgação

Casa De Francisca. Best live musica bar

Casa de Francisca

Decorated with antiques, this cosy, atmospheric music venue recalls an old theatre-restaurant. Musicians perform original work at the piano and on the stage. To drink, there are beers like Stella Artois and Hoegaarden.

Drosophyla

Opened in 2002, the bar has become known for its parties in the garden, and for couples flirting in the dim interior - in spite of the strange decoration, which consists of stuffed animals and other curiosities. Drinks like Diabolique (vodka, passion fruit, lemon, red curação and chili pepper) are served alongside Asian-style snacks like Zapon, balls of ricotta cheese with shimeji and button mushrooms.

Estadão

A real 24-hour diner, Estadão closes only on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. For the other 363 days of the year, you can come at any time of day or night for the famous pork sandwich, served with tomato and a pepper and onion sauce. The clientele consists not just of bohemian night owls, but also of late workers winding down with a beer (available in longneck bottles and cans) and food from the set menu.

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Filial

Filial is a bar in the Vila Madalena popular for its draught beer and late closing time. It is rare to see the chairs being stacked on tables as the staff are never in much of a hurry to close. Brahma is available on tap in both the usual pale and black versions, and there are also snacks such as linguiça toscana (peppered sausage) served with farofa (toasted manioc flour).

Frangó

Found in a little square that recalls the cities of the Brazilian countryside, Frangó is a bar with a rustic kind of feel. It is also a beer-connoisseur's heaven, with a menu that stretches to 28 pages and includes more than 400 brands from all over the world. Amongst the recent additions is Duvel Tripel Hop, from Belgium. Not sure what to order? Ask for the tasting menu. Also don't miss out on the coxinha (a drumstick made from dough and filled with chicken and herbs) with catupiry cheese. It's also worth trying the grilled chicken accompanied by fried polenta, farofa (toasted manioc flour) and salad.

Leo Feltran/Divulgação

Subastor prepares a delicious Kaizoku-no Sling drink in a bambu glass

Subastor

Subastor is hidden beneath the bar Astor. Pass through the red curtains for a loud, lively atmosphere and a soundtrack of rock, soul and jazz. The cocktails are top quality. The bar has also recently appointed a new Italian mixologist, Fabio La Pietra, who is working on a new drinks menu.

Veloso Bar

The walls at Veloso are covered with football shirts as well as cartoons and photos from the original Veloso, a historic bar of Rio de Janeiro back in the 50s and 60s. The award-winning barman Souza makes the perfect caipirinha, while from the kitchen the highlight is without a doubt the crispy and delicious coxinha (a drumstick made from dough and filled with chicken and herbs). Last October the owners set up the Armazém Veloso in the premises next door, which offers the same menu as Veloso Bar.

BEST BARS AS CHOSEN BY DATAFOLHA

Bar Brahma
Found on the corner of the Avenida Ipiranga and the Avenida São João, one of São Paulo's most iconic places, Bar Brahma is a picture-postcard tourist hotspot. Originally opened in 1948, the bar still retains all the pomp of the 50s and 60s, with chandeliers, heavy drapes and grand pianos. The clientele today is a mix of middle-aged gentlemen, tourists and the elderly. If you're lucky you might even catch a performance by one of the famous names of Brazilian music, such as Cauby Peixoto. Come for the atmosphere, for the music, and also for the draught beer - Brahma, naturally.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE