Casa Alto Vidigal

The food was decent and the drinks were reasonably priced. There are three large bars at the venue, and this one had an event on when I went, so check their Instagram. The views are gorgeous, and the service was decent too. It’s at the top of a large favela outside Leblon. I felt safer there than on Rio’s streets, though getting up meant paying 10 reais for a motorcycle taxi and passing armed locals. Not sure about helmets. I’d walk from the edge of Leblon to the base of the favela.

Getting back down after dark takes some planning, since Ubers and taxis aren’t allowed in and you’ll need a shuttle. The view makes the trip through the favela worthwhile, though it can feel a bit sketchy on the way. Once there, it’s an absolutely amazing bar, and I highly recommend it.

We arrived around 2 pm and there weren’t many people, so we could pick any seats we liked. The view is fantastic, the atmosphere is great, and the staff are friendly. We took an Uber to the top of the hill, then walked 5-8 minutes to the bar. From there it’s about the same walking distance to the main street. We took a motorcycle taxi down to the entrance, a fun ride down the slope that cost 10 reais. You can get an Uber or taxi back into town from there, and Uber usually costs less. We paid cash, and getting our change took a while. We didn’t chase them, but I guess they were short on small bills. If you’re not staying long, paying by card is probably easier.

Friday or Saturday afternoon into the evening is a good time to go, with the party going nonstop. The atmosphere is friendly and festive, and the view, loud music, service, and food are all great.