Sao Luis Nightlife, Brazil

Pulsating Sao Luis Brazil Nightlife:  Non-stop Music to Beat the Blues

Nightlife in any of Brazil’s nightspots sizzles. But in Sao Luis even more, with all the young ones reveling in its pulsating nightlife set against a backdrop of dreamy and fantastic neon colors.  The music is a happy mix of rock, hip-hop, and Latin beat, all set out to give that midnight adrenalin rush from all the wine, romance, and fun.  

The Fun and Frenzied Nightlife

Fridays are fun.  It is the night for the famous Tambor de Crioula.  Young and lithe-limbed beauties in colorful headdresses and vibrant swirling skirts swing and sway to the frenzied beat of the drums or tambor.  It is a remarkable sight, and the dance sets the tone for the Friday night fever.  The beat is infectious and you can’t sit tight.  

The action is in the Reviver Area of Sao Luis.  At 8 p.m., the live music starts and promises a night of fun.  There are several clubs here to cater for different tastes.  But Thursday nights are the most fun as clubs go on until 3 a.m.!  The Monteiro’s Bar offers live samba three nights a week, they start on Thursdays.  

Want to dance at 6p.m.?  The Antigamente on Rua Estrela gets it on with live Brazilian pop nightly.  For the reggae scene, beat it to the Roots Bar in Rua da Palma and Bar do Porto on Rua Trapiche.  

On the outskirts of the downtown area, you’ll find Metalugica SLZ and Boate Play on Rua da Palma.  The swinging DJs are all here, but the fun starts at 10 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays but very early at 7 p.m. every Sunday.

If it’s a mellower scene you crave for, the Kitaro Lagoa, also a restaurant, offers MPB every night.  Near the lakeshore, Por Acaso dishes out live music every night.   Cover is cheap at $0.85.  

The Observatorio, the famous hangout for lesbians and gays, is found on Rua da Estrela. Open Fridays and Saturdays, it’s one place to see and have fun.

Dining Out

Nightlife is not replete if you don’t sample Sao Luis’ eclectic and homegrown cuisine.  Here’s a sample of what you must order when you dine out:

•    Arroz d Cuxa, which is a mix of sesame seeds and dried shrimp, white rice, leaves of the vinagreira bush and flavored with the freshest of cilantro.

•    Calderada de camarao is shrimp stewed in coconut milk and served with rice and manioc.

•    The grilled anchovy and roasted suckling pig in Cabana del Sol in Ponta de Farol is highly recommended.