A visit to the behemoth of a building that is the Jockey Club is mandatory for those wanting to immerse themselves in the carioca spirit. Come here for a spot of horse racing followed by dinner in the club’s main restaurant. While the setting is interesting enough, the real fascination lies in the over-the-top parties thrown here which attract Rio’s youthful elite. Check Resident Advisor for the latest line-up and dress casual to impress.

This buzzy neighbourhood hangout comes alive during the balmy Rio evenings as cariocas gather along the seaside wall to enjoy an ice-cold chopp (draft beer) and cheese empanadas – deep-fried pastries which you’ll appreciate even more after a few pints (the prawn is also pretty great). Head here in your flip-flops after a day at the beach and get tipsy while chatting to Rio’s young crowd and taking in the sunset over Guanabara Bay.

Begin the evening with laid-back drinks at Palaphita Lagoa, an outdoor tiki bar perched on the lagoon with a beautiful view of the Dois Irmaos. When you’ve had your fill of caipirinhas cross the bay to its sister venue Palaphita Gavea, where you’ll find hot youngs partying late into the night against the dramatic backdrop of an illuminated Christ the Redeemer.

Popular among tourists and locals alike, this long-standing Santa Teresa boteco, or hole-in-the-wall bar, attracts a loyal following from all over town, with thirsty punters overflowing onto the street. It doesn’t look like much but it’s steeped in history, documented in grainy photos lining the walls. The owner was a close friend of Jean Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, making it a melting pot for local artists.

Notorious for its wild parties and breathtaking views, Alto Vidigal is located in a safe favela at the top of the Vidigal community. Since the pacification rules changed, it’s has become a hotspot for ‘gringos’ (foreigners) with the likes of David Beckham and Madonna buying villas in the area. Weekly events and an open-air bar pull in the punters, with a mini-van service ready to take you up the hill.

Sleek leather sofas meet an industrial brick-wall bar in this swanky hangout at the Fasano Hotel in Ipanema. Channelling cosmopolitan cool, Rio’s movers and shakers flock here for pre-dinner cocktails or a cheeky nightcap – expect to bump into a fashionistas, artists and actors.

Directly translated to ‘bar of the mismatched’, this sprawling, colonial veranda is all parquet flooring and pillars, with endless views over arty Santa Teresa. Recline in one of the expansive deck chairs, with flamboyant fun delivered via exotic cocktails.

Anyone who’s anyone knows that Lapa, Rio’s coolest district, is the only place to be on a Friday night. Grab a super-strong caipirinha from a cachaça stall on the square and finish the night at Circo Voador below the famous Lapa Arches, a dome-shaped event space where Brazilian and international singers perform.

One of the city’s most visited nightspots, this three-storey Lapa club is stuffed with curiosities and adorned with various antiques. Balconies overlook the stage on the first floor, where dancers swing to jazz-infused samba, choro and pagode music.

Located in the heart of the Copacabana district, Fosfobox is Carioca’s finest sweat box; a bunker of electronic music and filthy rock ‘n’ roll. This is one of the few underground clubs in Rio, hosting both local and international DJs.