Pedra do Sal

This place is completely different when you go on different days. On Monday its a calmer vibe (cawr doesn't mean not active) but on Fridays it is packed. So many people, so many more kiosks and vendors full party vibes FROMY PICS you will be able to easily identify which day was Friday and which was Monday

I stumbled upon Pedra do Sal by pure chance while looking for a bloco — and it turned out to be something even better. It’s clearly a long-standing local tradition, full of energy and soul, and it even caught the attention of friends who saw my Instagram stories. The combination of live samba, delicious street food, and a vibrant, welcoming crowd made for an unforgettable night in Rio. An absolute must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the city’s true spirit.

Very overrated place with full of turists. You cant feel the real brazilian vibes here, because nobody dances and its really overcrowded. Makes no sense to come here. Maybe there is bigger party after midnight, but its also more dangerous, take care! Most of my friends left after few minutes. The only good thing is that the caipirinha was very cheap!

I really do not recommend Pedra do Sal, especially on a Monday night. It’s extremely overhyped and nothing like what you see online. The place gets insanely crowded to the point where you can barely walk or move through the crowd. It’s very hot, uncomfortable, and stressful. One of my friends had her phone stolen, and overall you feel very unsafe the entire time. The music isn’t enjoyable because you’re packed in so tightly that you can’t dance or even stand comfortably. The area was also very dirty. We didn’t have fun at all. Save your time and energy, there are much better places to go in Rio.

Going on a Monday around 9 pm was so insanely crowded—so many sloppy drunk people spilling drinks everywhere. The band was sadly really hard to hear, even close up! And it was so packed that we couldn’t dance. I definitely do not recommend.

Total tourist trap. Don’t go on a Monday, it’s insanely crowded. You can’t even walk properly, you’re just stuck in a huge crowd the whole time. The vibe gets overwhelming fast, and it’s not enjoyable at all. On top of that, two of my friends had their phones stolen in the crowd. Pickpocketing is super common here and with how packed it gets, you can’t even notice it happening. Yes, it’s a famous spot for samba, but honestly, there are way better places in Rio to feel the culture without risking your phone and getting crushed by a crowd. Wouldn’t recommend it.

Great experience, went there on a Monday, it’s pretty crowded as people say, but not too bad in my opinion. Drinks and beers are cheap, the samba part (8-12PM), was missing the energy, but from 12PM they played more popular hits from around the world, and the energy picked up. Would recommend trying at least once!

An Amazing experience! A spot where samba truly comes to life! The energy is unmatched, with live music and dancing all around—especially on Mondays and Fridays when it gets packed. Great drinks and snacks, but be ready for the crowd. For a quieter experience, visit on a different day. English isn’t widely spoken, so a tour guide is helpful if no guide just dance it away . Keep it simple with a small bag!

Great area full of rich Afro-Brazilian history! The block party would be an amazing thing to experience. Take a walking tour and learn more about the area.

This place was recommended to us by our Uber driver. This was a very lively area with bars, restaurants and free samba outdoors during the evening. I had never heard of this place so I did not know what to expect. I only knew they had good samba on Monday nights. So, we got there about 9pm. Went to a bar, had some food and drink. The bar we were at was having a book signing and lecture by an author. Very eclectic crowd. Once we departed, we went on to find the outdoor music. It was crowded, but not overwhelming. There were mini-food stands with all sorts of drinks, beer, and hot food made to order, like hot dogs, sausage, etc. I was told the people behind the drink stands did not appreciate me taking pictures because I didn't buy anything from them....oops. As we walked further we noticed 2 very steep hills and they were both packed with people standing, sitting, squeezing in where ever they could fit. We grabbed a few beers, found a good spot to stand and see the music and started having conversations with people around us. At the center, we noticed the live samba, or pagode. There were about 5 or 6 musicians in total, sitting in a circle, with a space for donations in the middle. It was so cool because everyone was singing along. It was so chill, laid back and peaceful. Using the bathroom was a bit of a production. You could either use the 1 Port-a-john, or you could buy a beer from the bar nearby, wait on the line that people tried to squeeze to the front of, and use one of the two bathrooms they had up two flights of stairs. So, just be prepared for that. Or use the bathroom at one of the bars/restaurants nearby. I am sure there were other bathrooms nearby, but it was my first time there and it was sort of confusing to figure out.

So much history, soul, and life was given to me in Pedra do Sal. It's a historic Afro Brazilian neighborhood in Río de Janeiro. While gentrification has tried to erase its history the community still comes together regardless. The nightlife street parties are even breathtaking. I highly recommend getting a tour here during the day to take in the history of the area, then while you're at it, backtrack at night and enjoy the living and everything that this neighborhood has to offer. You won't be disappointed!

Pedra do Sal was recommended to us by a friend who lived in Rio for some time and it was definitely worth the experience. We were hesitant at first upon hearing that it took place in a not so great area - nearby a favela. But extremely glad we did not end up bailing on our plans. During the cab ride over, we noticed that we were heading into a more desolate part of town. However, a block away, you start hearing the music and the liveliness of the crowd! The square was packed with people - on the stairs, on the sidewalks, on the streets - including street and roaming vendors. This was the weekly Monday night party and was a great opportunity for us to experience the local Brazilian way of life. Live samba filled the air, along with the chatter and laughter of those in attendance. We made some friends who introduced us to sacole - easiest way to explain it is an alcoholic popsicle. And boy, can everyone party!

I was here for their weekly Monday night samba that features live samba music from local musicians. It's basically a huge street party with stands that sell caipirinhas (featured local drink with fruit and 151), food, and trinkets. Definitely a cool place to go for Monday night festivities as a lot of locals and visitors come to just chill, drink, and dance the night away. Starts at 730 and goes until midnight.

I always recommend Pedra do Sal to everybody visiting Rio because it is the perfect place in Centro to experience the typical nightlife Carioca style. Usually the best nights are Mondays and Fridays, both nights can be pretty crowded. The nights are open air and you can always expect a group playing live samba. It is never a directed show, but always a spontaneous happening. Sometimes there are special events such as Baile Black Bom which is always on a Saturday. Everyone, living in or visiting Rio, should at least go to Pedra do Sal once.

At the centre of a region known during the colonial era as Little Africa, the huge, smooth rock descending down to Largo João da Baiana is known as Pedra do Sal, or Rock of Salt. The square was a slave market as well as a cultural focal point for the thousands working on or coming off the slave ships at the nearby port, becoming a home to the sounds of chorinho and samba as the slaves sang songs about home. Today the rock is more likely to be filled with tottering dancers trying not to fall foul of the slope (further enhanced by spilled drinks) in a weekly celebration of music courtesy of local sambistas and Rio's drinking classes. Every Monday and Friday a roda de samba sets up around a table to sing classics to the assembled throng, giving way to one of the most traditional and authentic nights out in Rio de janeiro. Bars are to be found dotted around the square, but the street vendors are out in force making for a cheap night of fine music and strong caipirinhas.