Just like New York City, S�o Paulo should also be called the city that never sleeps. There are a wide range of establishments that are open all night (although most of them close by midnight), but there is always somewhere you can go. There are dozens of bars and clubs catering to young people, the rich, dancers, music lovers, middle-aged, older crowds, gays and lesbians and everything else in between. I have been (so far) to a karaoke bar, a bar with a samba band, a bar atop a hotel with a stunning view, a club with American classics sung by a very enthusiastic woman, a “silent” bar (We wore headphones to listen to three music channels. Sounds weird, but it was actually a lot of fun), a large electronic club, a Latin club, and a club where there was entertainment for women in the form of the bartenders stripping down (only their shirts) as well as women dancing upon a pole. I would like to think that I have had a variety of experiences.

   Now, as I am not 21 yet, I cannot compare them to other bars in the U.S, so I’ll just go over a few observations. The prices here range. For women it is usually cheaper. For example, last night I went to a club called ShowBar. It cost 20 reais (the Brazilian currency) for women to get in, but it was consumable. This meant that I could buy drinks up to 20 reais and still only pay 20. It was 30 reais for the option of open bar. Most places I frequent are usually between 15-25 reais to get in, some consumable and others not. For guys it is usually 10-20 reais more to get in.

   What I have noticed in clubs and bars is that girls have to be REALLY assertive in saying no to guys. Many, not most, guys are very forward to girls, simply grabbing them and trying to kiss them while telling them pretty phrases in their ear the entire time. Another observation is that not as many girls “grind” with guys like in the U.S. They either simply dance, or make-out the entire time. Probably one of the largest differences between nightlife in S�o Paulo is the time the party gets started. Clubs will not open their doors until at least 11 at night. That being said, most people will not even step into a club until 1 in the morning. Most clubs close at around 6-8 in the morning. Sometimes even 10 in the morning. 

   I have only seen a handful of places; there are PLENTY of many other places to see. This weekend though I will not be focuses on clubbing in S�o Paulo because it is Carnaval!!!!! The craziest time in all of Brazil. I will be spending it on the beautiful island of Florianopolis for a full week with three other girls. We’ll see how it goes, but I know I will have a blast.

   Below is a picture of the electronic club called Clash Club and a picture of a bar with a live band playing in the background. The girl in the picture is Rachel, a fellow Penn Stater. At� logo!!

Location: Home, Sao Paulo, Brazil