Bar/pub

Paribar
Praca Dom Jose Gaspar, 42

Left-leaning drinking den is resurrected after 20 years for those who lean in all ways.

ART
Museums

Estacao Pinacoteca
Largo General Osório, 66

Pinacoteca do Estado’s modern art wing is housed in what was essentially the Brazilian Gestapo’s digs.

Bar/pub

Alberta 3
Av. Sao Luis, 272

Bar, a beacon of light on sketchy downtown avenue, transforms into indie-rock club at night.

Club

Lions Club
Av. Brigadeiro Luís Antonio, 277

Sinning in full view of Se church.

Club

Hot Hot
R. Santo Antônio, 570

International electronic music DJs play underneath digital ceiling while dancers get drunk on popsicle cocktails.

ART
Museums

Pinacoteca do Estado
Praca da Luz, 2

The city’s oldest—and most important—museum, specializing in 19th- and 20th-century Brazilian paintings.

Markets

Mercado Municipal
R. da Cantareira, 306

Reaching the city through its stomach.

Buildings

Edificio Italia
Av. Ipiranga, 344

Stunning panoramic views of the city, free of charge.

Sex/strip

Kilt
R. Nestor Pestana, 266

Girls swing sensually over the bar on decorated swings, need we say more?

Lanchonete/snacks

Hocca Bar
Rua da Cantareira, 306

Situated within the Mercado Municipal, this lanchonete has earned a reputation for its door-step-sized mortadella sandwiches.

Club

Love Story
R. Araujo, 232

Fabled end-of-the night club of all clubs.

Boutique

Normandie Design Hotel
Av. Ipiranga, 1187, Center

Au courant hotel is a surprise find in the center.

Arab

Raful
R. Comendador Abdo Schahin, 118, Center

This critically adored Arab casual eatery divided into two parts lets patrons conveniently and independently decide how they want to be served.

Arab

Almanara
R. Basílio da Gama, 70, Republica

The tidy location of this restaurant in the center is particularly awe-inspiring for its decadent architecture.

Classic

Bar D’Hotel Cambridge
Av. 9 de Julho, 210. 01312-000

Fifties hotel once the stomping grounds of Nat King Cole maintains decadence even after renovation.

Bar/pub

Bar Brahma
Av. São João, 677, center

Classic bar where bohemians like intellectuals and artists discussed important topics over cold beer, now hosts some of the best samba and MPB shows in the city by living legends of the trade.

Bar/pub

Salve Jorge
Praça Antônio Prado, 33, center

Bar salutes Jorges, no matter the permutation.

Bar/pub

Bar do Museu
Av. Ipiranga, 318/324, bloco C, center

It’s worth every minute of getting lost to find the low-key Bar do Museu.

'80s rock

Trash 80’s
R. Alvaro de Carvalho, 40

Eighties live into the ’00s and beyond at this popular gay hangout dance club.