I’d be lying if I told you I had an awful time at Bar Samba. In fact, the night I spent listening to energetic Samba music and watching dancers strut their stuff in this cozy Vila Madalena bar was my favorite night during my short trip to São Paulo. Cover on a Friday night was R$ 35(which is about $ 10USD)…even though I’m not usually a fan of paying cover fees, this was worth every single real. When we got there are 9:30/10pm, Bar Samba was already packed. We had to wait for about 5 minutes before they let our party of 3 enter. Finally, as they let us in, they asked each of us for our names(luckily we had someone that could speak Portuguese with us, otherwise I’m not sure what would have happened to us). They wrote our names on a slip for each of us. It is VERYIMPORTANT to keep this slip with you while you are at Bar Samba! If you order anything(food or drinks) the servers will mark it on the slip. Then when you are ready to leave, you need to take that slip to the cashier in the back left corner of the bar(near the restrooms) to settle the bill and get a receipt that lets you leave Bar Samba. At first we got seated on the upper mezzanine level in the back corner of Bar Samba, which is the same level as the bar. The staff make frequent rounds, so we were able to order drinks really easily. After some time had passed, we asked if it would be possible to switch tables to be closer to the samba band and dancing. The staff said they needed to check on reservations and such, but a few minutes later they came to take us to a new table. We got to sit right in front of the samba band, and let me tell you… it was one of the coolest things I experienced while in São Paulo! Even though I couldn’t understand what the lyrics were, the music was very lively and upbeat. I was amazed by the samba dancers… their feet moved so quickly! Everyone was clapping and singing along, which made the atmosphere very cheerful and relaxed. I only ordered caipirinhas, and they were solid. They also had various fruit and sake cocktails as well as several beer options. Most everyone at Bar Samba was drinking beer, but I had to enjoy my caipirinhas since I definitely cannot get them at home! I would definitely recommend Bar Samba to anyone visiting São Paulo that is looking to get a cultural twist on nightlife. You will not be disappointed! TL;DR — R$ 35 cover on Friday nights, reservations recommended, and live samba music and dancing!
C J.
Classificação do local: 5 Birmingham, MI
Was there two weeks ago and the people, food and Samba were off the chain. We had such a great time and so glad I extended my biz trip to enjoy the local cultural. The Feijoada was outstanding and was very similar to red beans with pork in New Orleans.
Jerome T.
Classificação do local: 3 Paris
Un lieu où on trouve la ‘Samba da Verdade’ avec un groupe qui joue tous les soir en fin de semaine. Au milieu du bouillonnant quartier ‘Villa Madalena’ il est préférable de réserver ou venir avant 21h. Les plats sont assez classiques et de qualité moyenne. Exemple la viande de boeuf séchée sautée aux oignons était trop cuite. La musique donne envie de bouger, certaines personnes n’hésitent pas à danser. Le son un peu fort né laisse pas beaucoup de place pour discuter. Le système de commande est assez spécial: à l’entrée on vous remet un carton avec votre nom. A chaque commande on vous ajoute une croix. Avant de sortir il faut régler le total à la caisse puis remettre le reçu au videur !?! L’entrée est à 35 R$, compter 50 à 80 R$ par personne avec les conso.
Joshua N.
Classificação do local: 5 Vancouver, Canada
Awesome place to meet some people, have a few drinks and enjoy some great food. The staff are awesome here and super friendly even if your and English speaker. Oh and I almost forgot to mention… the music and dance here are awesome! A must if you are visiting São Paulo!
Christopher M.
Classificação do local: 5 Rockville, Estados Unidos
Fui com uma amiga no ano passado — que experiência maravilhosa! Eu regressarei e desfrutarei a próxima vez que eu estou em São Paulo
Monica S.
Classificação do local: 4 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Located in the hip and hopping Vila Madalena neighborhood, Bar Samba does one of my favorite things really right. Afternoon partying. This super traditional and laid-back bar packs in the crowds on Saturday afternoons. On that day, you can find locals and savvy tourists shaking their hips to the live band busting out rhythmic Afro-Brazilian beats. Saturday around ¾pm is the best time to go. The bar opens at 1 though, so if you want to arrive early to snag a table, that’s probably your best bet. Once seated, you’ll want to order tons of chopps(small draft beers) and a feijoada for the table. The live music is infectious and you can’t help but carry a big smile with all the good energy oozing through the bumping joint. If you’re looking for that quintessential Brazilian experience where the music is awesome, the people are festive and the atmosphere is intoxicating, Bar Samba on a Saturday afternoon won’t disappoint.
Clarissa V.
Classificação do local: 4 São Paulo - SP
O nome já diz tudo: é um lugar pra ouvir e dançar muito samba de raiz. Só os ilustres e tradicionais, como Beth Carvalho, Martinho da Vila, Fundo de Quintal, Arlindo Cruz, Zé Keti e por aí vai… A decoração faz alusão a uma favela, apesar dos preços cobrados, dando a entender que lá é roda de samba mesmo. E é. O grupo que se apresenta anima a noite e «desenterra» alguns clássicos que você não ouvia há tempos. O serviço da casa é bom, as porções são bem feitas, os garçons são solícitos e rápidos, sem contar que tem sempre um deles com uma bandeja de chopps para repor os copos vazios. Mas o sistema de preços devia ser atualizado, porque samba já combina com uma porção para beliscar e um choppinho gelado, mas acaba ficando menos divertido na hora de pagar a conta, que dificilmente não sai salgada.
Neimel
Classificação do local: 5 São Paulo - SP
Ouvir, curtir, cantar, ver fotos de sambistas que fizeram e fazem parte da magia do marailhoso Samba de raiz, e toda simpatia do amigo Cicero.
Aki
Classificação do local: 4 Sorocaba - SP
O bar não abre às segundas-feiras e serve almoço de terça até sexta, entre 12h e 16h. Na programação da casa há espaço garantido para rodas de samba e feijoadas animadas por grupos e artistas do gênero.