Hi Iphguy... Didn't see where I could post this theme, so please move it to the topic it should be if it’s necessary….

Fun time and night life.:-))) Aaaaaa... One word describes it all – INTENSE!:-))) While in Rio, we went out almost every night to some place except Monday and Tuesday, because it seems that all places are closed on these days and that Cariocas are resting and getting their energy back for a new party circle.:-))

Here follows the schedule with a brief description:

Friday – Club 1140

Definitely my favorite… Some would be surprised by my choice, but this is the only genuine “favela” gay club where I’ve been… We were the only tourists there, the Carioca friend took us there to show us the “trash” gay scene (not sure if it’s for a single tourist not speaking Portuguese, because no one spoke English there). The entrance fee is 20 reais and you can drink as much as you want. People are just gorgeous, and must I mention that the crowd was mostly native beautiful black and latino studs. My neck was aching and eyes popping out from staring I just had to do.: -))) Naked beautiful sweaty bodies…: -)) The sexy thing is that when you are walking lets say to the bathroom, you have to squeeze in bunch of gorgeous black-latino men, no one seems to mind and don’t move… So you just have to rub your body parts to theirs….: -))) So much sex in the air…. The crowd was mixed, a quite number of girls also.. .The music was funk carioca beat mixed up with some hits, but mainly strong latino base beat… Sexyyyyyy!!!!: -)))) Also, a super funny trash drag show.:-) The only down side is that it TOO FAR away and the neighborhood looks a bit dangerous… I think it took us an hour and a half to get there, and we drove through some favelas… Definitely a required taste and for lovers of the real (average normal) gay scene in Rio.

Saturday – The Week

The Week was just not my cup of tea… Being in gay clubs in Milan, New York and London, The Week has nothing new to offer to me. Expensive, mostly “high class” people who can afford it (meaning less of gorgeous mainstream people for me: -(((), lots of guys with muscled bodies showing of and being extremely boring in it. The music was classical clubbing music, two floors and a VIP area, balcony in the great hall, people smoking on the balcony. After 1140 it just had no chance of wining me over. Strange, but our “high class” Carioca friend was very proud of it and was mentioning it as a place we must see!... It’s generally a good place to go, but it depends on the preferences for sure. If you’ve never been to a huge posh gay place with muscle studs showing off, it’s definitely a must. Don’t walk back home, because the surrounding neighborhood is just way to dangerous at late hours. ALWAYS take a cab back home from the center of the town, there are lots of them waiting at the exit to take you home!!!

Sunday – Le Boy

Ah, Le Boy is just a classic, but definitely not in any more, the entire crowd moved to The Week. I got the impression that Le Boy is mostly for tourist and some local frequent visitors who are feeling sentimental about it. Never the less, a good place to go, dance and have fun. Girls pay extra to get in, and La Girl is just next door, so the crowd was men mostly (except two of our crazy friends who made out with tons of bi men there : -)))). We were just so drunk that we would have had fun anywhere.: -)))) There was a “trashy” drag show with the same Divas we saw in 1140, looks like they are local stars in this business. Not expensive, but feels little bit abandoned…

Wednesday – Le Boy

The same.: -))))

Thursday – Loca (Sao Paolo)

The three of us decide to pay a visit to a group of friends we met on the Ipanema beach  - in Sao Paolo. With a bus.: -))). I know, it’s a murder but what the hell, we just decided to go and went. : -))) We arrived, and just had time to prepare our self for the night life. I had to fight with them all not to take us to a posh gay clubs, because it would be devastating for me.: -))  So they took us to Loca – another “trashy” club in SP… The crowd was mixed, music was great, hot hits, hot men. At the entrance one big black stud was smiling at me a second that we entered the club. : -)) Happy was I. : -))) Later on, when I was standing on he podium, he was passing by my, looked me in the eyes and just kissed me. : -)))) This you will not see happening in stuck up Week. So we made out most of the night. I just like direct men. : -))) Just do it! The club was ok, the drag show was hilarious, the took two of my friends to the scene and made fun of them. LOL. Great experience. It’s not expensive and the music is great. Loved it! And loved my beautiful direct stud.: -)))) I’m so moving to Brazil.: -)))

Not to place to say it, bet we had some serious discussion with our host about their racial prejudice toward black people… This made me very sad, for I can’t believe it is still an issue there…. This gave to SP little bit different taste for me…. Did anyone had similar experience with this things?

Friday – Erotica

To boring to say anything except that the ceiling on the dance floor is just ridiculously low. A little bit of claustrophobic experience.

Saturday – Revolution Party at the docks

: -)))) Great great party!!! The entrance fee was 70 reais, but it was worth it. Music was just great, lots of lots o lost naked boys showing off their gorgeous bodies. The only thing it they were just showing it off. Little bit boring.: -))) But I was up for dancing and dace we did. All night. My female friend had sex in the bathroom, lucky bitch. : -))) It was just too great. Not the club I was saying I like normally, but it was so good that you have to forgive it all of it mainstreammnes.:- )))

Sunday – Revolution After party

And when the sun was up, we thought it was over but we were soooo wrong. At the docks a new floor opened in the open and all of us moved to the docks, sun was getting up and everybody was just more crazy.: -))) We ate a big sausage (a real sausage), danced with people around us, made some more friends, danced some more. We tore up the dress from our friend because se had no cleavage …. Just hilarious experience. On our way home in cab we were singing some hits that were playing on the radio… The driver was just so frightened… Poor guy. : -))))) After the after party we went directly to Ipanema Farme part and had some more fun. Then we dropped on the sand an were dead.: -))))))

That’s about it… Hope it was with enough details. If you have some questions, please do ask…: -))

Kisses and hugs.

M27

It seems you packed a lot of things into a relatively short visit! No wonder you want to move to Brazil!!! Thanks for the detailed reports of Rio and SP night life; it's been a while since anyone reported on the clubs. It sounds like you really enjoyed 1140, but for the average tourist it's a very long way away from where they're staying (it's in Jacarepaguá, in the Zona Oeste) and you're right, it's probably a place to go to with local friends. But I'm glad you had such a good time in Brazil; I know you'll be back soon!

Milano, you are quite the party animal. So why not Cineideal? It's a place where the common gay folk hang out. And Ihpguy, please move his post .But seriously many thanks for your posts .

:-) I know, I just saw it later.... Not Iphguy, but trilingual.:-))) I just love Iphguy.:-))) There was no time for Cine Ideal Drey, but next time, which will be very very soon, I'll go there for sure.

Will all of you be there in February? Would like to meet you... Maybe I'll go in December also, not sure yet... I am an addict, that's for sure.:-)))

Kisses and hugs.

M27

I totally agree. The best night I had in Rio was Cine Ideal and after that Lapa. It was Friday and everyone was out. There is also gay section of Lapa, and it is very cool. However I did have a good time in The Week too and it did not seem to me that it is “high class”, more upper middle class. But it is very classic disco club and it is not exclusively gay. Actually, my date for The Week, Yago, was speaking with this girl at one moment and he told her that we are of the same profession (girl and me, not Yago and me) and she started to show interest. So it was kind of funny but I like all that mixture and confusion. I do agree that is a place that can exist everywhere, unlike Cine Ideal, witch is original and one of the kind.

Cine Ideal is obviously a must for me Mandrak.:-)) We are like soul mates in interest, you and me.:-))) My Carioca friend was telling me about some more clubs in the center with the pool table and stuff like this, he said it's a "truckers place".:-)) But again, there was no time for it and my friends were not up for it. I'm not so much into truckers, but I'll go and see it for sure next time.:-)))

I agree that The Week is not high class, it's just me being little ironic. I just don't like people who value themselves according to the fact that they are part of the VIP section... Shallow fellow. : -))) Oh guys, I miss Brazil so much… I’m going to go bankrupt if I’m going to go there as often as I plan… : -))) Any suggestions?

I’m planning to begin my Portuguese lessons here in Milan… Should I learn European Portuguese or Brazilian? Which one is official (like in firms and stuff…). If I’m to move there and find a job, it’s good to know…. My parents are going to kill me when they find out about my crazy intensions.: -))) Impulsive is the right word.: -))))

Hey. Milano. 

At first, didn't know why you addressed this thread to me. Then I read all of the repsonses. Trilingual is so much more of a partyboy than I am. Me, definitely not.  I'm going to the CADEG for fruit, veggies and flowers in Benfica just about the time or maybe even before you are rolling in from mornings out. Never been to LeBoy. Or The Week. Or Cine Ideal. Or even across the street at Cine Iris. I've walked by them all in daylight hours, but never been.

Thanks, so much for writing about them. Always been a morning person with breakfast being my favorite meal of the day, other than pau brasilero over toasted pao frances; although not more than rabanada(our French Toast) with pure maple syrup that I schlep down from the US of A. It was great to read about the goings-on at 1140, Loca, LeBoy and The Week.  My own nighttime excitement out of the house usually starts with friendly canasta games with lots of beer and ends with samba school with lots of beer. Something sound similar there?

Please write again. I'd love to read much more how regular Rio tourists enjoy the famed nightlife.

Milano, I, too, thank you for sharing! As Trilingual mentioned it has been a long while since one has come here and "addressed the crowd!" Thanks, man! I've been to LeBoy, which was "The Club" before The Week came to Rio de janeiro. Since it's there now, and from what others have mentioned previously, perhaps it has lost some of its appeal. (I haven't been to any of the other venues mentioned but would like to go with a local or two on a Friday night, and if that club that is far away from where my friend and I would possibly be staying, I'd be up to going if I were with locals again!) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, to be in Rioooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Milano, if you plan to holiday in Rio again and again, study and learn BRASILIAN Portugese! That is what I've been advised to do, and all of this advice has been given to me since October 2002.

Hi Iphguy! The only brazilian pau that I like is pauzao.:-))) And also the breakfast in Cafeina, aren't they just great?

Hi axiom! Thnx for the recommendation... I thought it should be Brazilian Portuguese, but I'm also interested in official language used in Rio De Janeiro... Official meaning for work purpose and in public service.

M27

Anybody have any suggestions for where to go out on Halloween in Rio? It falls on a Saturday this year and I arrive that morning. I was thinking about going to The Week--a place I have been several times and enjoyed--but I wouldn't mind trying another place. I have been to Cine Ideal and enjoyed that--but I think that is more gay on Friday nights. Any suggestions?

Halloween isn't that much of a deal in Rio; probably you won't find very much special going on, no matter where you go. So just go out someplace you like and enjoy yourself!

Milano, you'll want to learn Brazilian Portuguese. It is the "official" version spoken everywhere in Brazil, including work and government. That makes sense when you consider that there there are over 190,000,000 million Brazilians and only 13,000,000 Portuguese. There are big differences in pronunciation between European and Brazilian Portuguese, bigger than the differences between British and American English. There are also vocabulary, grammatical and spelling differences, although there has been a recent orthographical reform aimed at bringing the written languages closer together. People will make fun of you if you speak European Portuguese and may have some trouble understanding you. On the other hand, Brazilian Portuguese is well understood in Portugual and other Portuguese-speaking countries because Brazilian movies, entertainers and soap operas are very popular there. I'm sure you can find a cute Brazilian language instructor in Milano, and you'll have fun learning the language! Try to find a Carioca teacher; the Rio de Janeiro accent is considered to be the "standard" Brazilian accent. Of course, you could just move to Brazil and learn the language there -- there's nothing like having your own live-in Brazilian Portuguese professor waving his pauzão at you! You'll learn in no time!

LOL. :-) You are just great, trilingual.:-)))) Yes, this would be the proper motivation for me for sure.:-))))))))) And thnx for the info on usage.

I found Brazilian Comunity Center in Milano, will pay a visit to them next week, maybe I'll find a teacher you are talking about.:-)))))))))) My dream is to move there, and am seiously thinking about it.... The only thing is the job, I'll have to quit my job here with an explanation that they should blame it on pauzao.:-))))))

Love and light.

M27

I can understand your wanting to move to Brazil, Milano. It's a unique place. And you've only scratched the surface, having only been to Rio and São Paulo!

You can get Brazilian residency by marrying a Brazilian woman or establishing a registered permanent relationship with a Brazilian guy. There's quite a bit of bureaucracy involved, but you must already be familiar with that living in Italy! I don't know what you do for a living, but with persistence you can probably find a job in Brazil, particularly in the tourist industry if you speak Portuguese, English, Italian and I don't know what else! With the World Cup and Olympics coming up, there's going to be a demand for people who speak foreign languages well. You can also teach languages. So there's bound to be something you can do there! You'll just have to concentrate and keep your mind off of pauzão, at least some of the time!

Breakfast/Brunch at Cafeina is just....delish.  The sweets, the savories, the enormous bowls of coffee. Definitely not your standard Brasilian cafe da manha...

Too funny...our apartment last Carnaval was right over Cafeina and for some reson we never went downstairs to eat what we smelled in the apartment all day, (and for being there more than two months that is BAD)!  It's getting chilly in NY, and when I start to think about getting to Rio for the sweaty party again soon!!!  I daydream at my desk about 117 and Lapa Fridays!!

Did you say Lapa on a Friday night?   Bluehairs, barbies and everyone in between come to the Friday night street party at the Arcos da Lapa. Around midnight the people begin to arrive. Coolers reinforced with duct tape are mounted on rickety three-wheeled vehicles of conveyance. Inside these coolers, cans or soda and beer are covered with ice. Sometimes these vehicles are pulled and sometimes they are peddled. As I arrive around midnight, trying desperately not to loose my cool and begin to perspire, I welcome the vendor and buy a soda. I have a need for a cool drink and he has the goods. Standing directly in front of me, he reaches above to get me a straw. Inches away from his armpit the unmistakable musk of a working man does not offend me. He is searching for a place to setup his business. People are beginning to gather on the promenade and he wants to be well positioned to sell his drinks.

Josemar looks in my eyes as if I am the most interesting person in the world and engages me dead square in the face. His beauty is undeniable, and he will not be ignored. His eyes are clear and bright and his teeth are whiter than white. He smiles and his eyes twinkle. I want to lick his neck to taste the milk chocolate of his body. I want to put my mouth and my nose in every crevice. I want to consume his sensuality and absorb his vitality with a passion as brutal as his beauty. Good thing I usually stick with cokes, although with a couple of beers in me I might have a go at it.

The street party is about two blocks long. On one side are seven or eight clubs blasting hip-hop and rock into the streets. The gay club is called Casanova. The street is divided with a long promenade—and the parade begins. The painted ladies have arrived along with the transvestites. They already know which corners and spots they will work tonight. More carts appear and magically access electricity to illuminate their delicacies. The vendors of the ever present ka-bobs of beef, chicken and pork lite their gas grills. Suddenly the breeze changes and the smell of their grilled meats is tempting. Other carts offer hot dogs and slabs of cheese on a stick grilled to a golden softness. Also available is burnt corn. Not one of my personal favorites. The grilled cheese and banana sandwich, however, should not be missed.

The promenade becomes increasingly dense with those who cruise and those who simply sit and wait. There aren’t really benches to sit on. Tubes of metal, maybe six inches around have been bent into a U shape and mounted upside down on either side of the walk. Two people can sit on each tube. There are about fifty of these, so let’s say seating for about one-hundred. In between these two banks of tubes hundreds of people walk to see and be seen. The parade has begun. There’s something for everybody. I call these people “summer diamonds.” Some are diamonds and some are not. But you never know. I could get lucky tonight and find the mother load. Some are on the make and some are on the take. Some have a desire to get off, some have a razor blade concealed in their waist bands. You must always be careful.

A group of entrepreneurs has begun a parking service business. Parking is available only on one side of the street. As one o’clock approaches, the parking spaces become a commodity. A group of six or so boys have decided to offer the spaces with assisted parking. Not really valet parking, but a service of guiding you into the space (as if you somehow suddenly needed assistance) and opening your car door. For some reason this man has assumed ownership, granted you the privilege of occupying his space, and now expects a fee. It’s best to give him one or two reais. He also includes with his new service a security feature. He will guard your car from any tampering for this fee. Maybe he will be there when the driver returns, maybe he won’t. But it might not be a good idea to deny this man his payment.

Josemar has the face of an angel. He looks like an Italian painting of a cherib with full lush lips, but without the long soft hair. Josemar’s hair is short and tight. This style is very common among cariocas and is called “macaco”—monkey. His eyelashes are remarkably long and sensual. Helena Rubenstein would have killed for the bronze highlights of his cheekbones. He tells me he is nineteen. I smile. His torso is lean and there is the outline of his credentials proudly displayed down his leg. He knows I know he knows. We both smile. “Strictly ativo. I adore topping,” he assures me. To confuse his years with his experience would probably be a mistake. Josemar saw me coming about three blocks before I saw him.

Two o’clock. I can’t walk the twenty feet between the tubes without physically brushing against at least four or five people. They are the moving masses looking for many things. Some are looking for friends, some are looking for a quick sacanagem, some are looking for love, and some are looking for a place to sleep. The boundaries between Eros and sex, narcissism and exhibitionism are virtually impossible to make out. The breeze changes again and the stench of urine invades my nose. The crowd has consumed many beers. Thirty feet away, part of the Lapa viaduct has become a designated pissing wall. I enjoy the view.

An enterprising young man with a white shirt opens a shoulder bag he has been carrying. He has a small metal serving tray he arranges with four shot glasses. He places a small towel across his forearm. In the other hand he produces a bottle of Johnny Walker Red. As a final touch he slides a black bow tie on the collar of his white shirt. “Have a shot of Red. Only four reais.” He shuffles past the painted ladies, barbies and bluehairs hoping his customers will not notice that he has added a little water to his bottle. Another new face appears with bunches of flowers to buy for your new found friend. “Who will buy my fresh red roses? Two blooms for a penny,” is in the air. Find a market, fill a need, just trying to make it through the night.

Three o’clock, I switch to drinking beer. I can resist Josemar’s charms no longer; we go to a motel just a block away. He is a garoto de programa. I tell him some of the high spots of my program. “You want many things Gringo.” I smile. Did I catch him or did he catch me? It’s not important. We take our clothes off. He glides his fingers through my chest hair. Most cariocas are hairless, many others shave their body hair. But Josemar seems to be intrigued as he effortlessly hovers near me to kiss my chest. ‘’Are you sure you are only nineteen?” He kisses the question away and puts his hand on my cock. Reaching down, he rolls me on my side and begins to rub my back. He didn’t lie, he was a great top.

Among the “many things” the Gringo mentioned was the importance of a good massage in afterglow. But I am not selfish, I return the favor. Moving my hands across the satin small of his back to the hills of his ass, I lean back to kiss the pleasure dome of his cheeks. His body does not smell of deodorant but has the aroma of a sweet nineteen year old youth. Calvin Klein should bottle the stuff. His breathing is deep, but I know he is not asleep. He floats in relaxation as i massage and gently spread the warm crevice I now desire. If I were going too far he would surely stop me. The lube is handy and I am gentle. Josemar’s tightness tells me he has not been touched this way often—he offers no resistance and i’m sure the pleasure is mutual. A few moments after I stop moving and roll to my side, he lifts his head, sort of squints and rubs his eyes. Was it a dream or just a massage. I am thankful that I am in a magic place of uninhibited sensuality devoid of taboos. It gives me the opportunity for such adventures I cannot find in the confines of my own country. But remember, Josemar is “strictly ativo”. Even when you fuck them, if they say they are strictly ativo, just say ok. I used to suffer from God-was-I-drunk-last-night too. Doesn’t bother me in the least.

Four o’clock, we are back at the promenade. A noticeable increase in coupling has occurred. The man with the empty bottle of Johnny Walker Red takes off his tie and puts his tray back in his shoulder bag. There are no more takers for the parking service crew—people are beginning to go home. The transvestites and painted ladies shove their earnings between silicone boobs. The food venders begin to dismantle their portable shops and mount their cargo back onto the wheeled carts. The ice has melted and only chilled water remains to cool the last of the sodas and beers. The wind changes again—this time the smell of candied popcorn fills the air. Ah Rio, I love the smell of Lapa on a Friday night.

Ah Gingado...

No one can take my hand and lead me back to Brazil like you.

- Drey

Maybe next month I can hold your hand in person once again. And as Auntie Mame would say, "I will open doors for you.  Doors you never even dreamed existed."

Friend. We have known those doors existed.  BUT ONLY YOU KNOW WHICH ARE THE BEST ONES TO OPEN

Dear Gingdo... Just loved your tale... And the way you said it all is just so sensual and sexual and mystical and with some saudades... Just great...:-)

Kisses to all of Brazil lovers.:-))

M27

Gingado, thanks to you and your reawakening of what transpires in Lapa on a Friday evening. ...such outstanding prose and imagery as ever. While reading your text, I began to recall my visual experience which I had in this place in 2002, a place where I definitely yearn to return if my visit materializes in April of 2010.

Nice to see more italians on the go.

I'll be in Nordeste in November and December, and after Reveillon will be back to Rio until May. Great occasion to enlarge meetings, sahrings and opportunities.

Ciao

Gingado, Thank you for the great narrative....I have learn to respect (be cautious) and love Friday's night Lapa  with your assistance and narratives. I have to say that I still need a lot of education. Lapa is no Copa or Ipanema. SP Centro is a a piece of cake next to it.  I find it easier to navigate the Sambodoromo during Carnaval or SP Centro at night than Lapa.  I guess is because in a way is a more more democratic spectacle than other environments.... with such a mixture of characters, agendas, smells, music and choreography that is easy to fell ovewhelmed by the beauty and complexity of the night.   

Hi Luis.  The option of private orientation through Underbelly Tours is included with your stay at the penthouse.  As I recall, you were a quick learn and we enjoyed your company.    Lodging and tours at very attractive rates for gtb members are available from November through March.  For a link to a photo tour of the penthouse, please private message me. I am not a twink guide, but I have 30 years of experience in Brasil and I'm sure I could get you where you need to go.....

Your narrative is lovely Gingado.  I've  only been to Lapa to visit the sauna Caracalla when it was open. I wonder why my  Carioca friends didn't suggest it.  It sounds lovely and exciting. Am wondering why none of my carioca friends did not mention it.....probably because they had  to watch me all night LOL. Too bad we can't all have a reunion. I only met one or two of you during my last five year visits.,

My first guide Ernani made it a point to take me to Lapa on a Friday night. This gorgeous hunk of a man led the way while riding his motocycle. Although I'd rather ridden ion the back of this gorgeous machine and and holding onto his gorgeous body, the traffic in Rio and my being exposed 100% to all dangers led Ernani to hire a taxi for me. In retrospect I think it was all for the better, especially for me in my being able to handle this entirely new city and everything about it! (When you go to Lapa-- go with someone who knows Brazilian Portuguese! Your apprehensions and fears should be allayed immediately!)

Hi guys, and this thread has gotten a little long and slightly off topic so I'm closing it.

Thanks Milano for the information!

- Drey