Sub Astor

R. Delfina, 163

Vila Madalena

11-3815-1364

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Push past red velvet curtain to enter New York-style speakeasy, housed literally under the guise of Astor bar/restaurant in the hidden basement. Posters of sexy pin-up girls on the walls and barmen-smartly dressed in red ties and fitted black suits, hunkered behind marble-top bar-set classy vibe. Late-twentysomething and thirtysomething crowd with muito credit knock back high-priced martinis or one of 40 other cocktails to soundtrack of Bob Dylan and Nina Simone while settling back in red and black armchairs, sometimes dabbing the potent alcohol with minimal food like white panna cotta with caviar or gazpacho with vodka jelly. Sparse lighting keeps mood scandalous, appropriately in line with the Prohibition Era days.