Your guide to the best São Paulo gay bars, LGBT venues and events
Brazil
This city of superlatives has some of the best gay bars and clubs in São Paulo!
This glitzy metropolis is Brazil’s largest city, as well as the largest city in the Western and Southern hemispheres and the world’s most populous Portuguese-speaking city. Size isn’t everything, but it follows that the Parada do Orgulho LGBTQ de São Paulo (São Paulo LGBTQ+ Pride parade) is the biggest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records… and a little dating app called Grindr. In June, Pride kicks off at the São Paulo Museum of Art, an architectural marvel that appears to float on stilts, housing a treasure trove of Latin American and European art, which is the perfect setting for our diverse community!
Begin your exploration at Avenida Paulista, the city's pulsating artery. This bustling boulevard is a microcosm of São Paulo's eclectic charm, lined with museums, bookstores, and cultural centers. Off Paulista Avenue, you’ll find Frei Caneca Street, a shopaholic’s paradise and a community hot spot lined with São Paulo gay bars, LGBTQ+ clubs, and gay saunas that are jam-packed during Pride. On Sundays, Avenida Paulista transforms into a pedestrian paradise, teeming with street performers, artisans, and food vendors, making it the perfect spot to mingle with locals and fellow travelers.
At any time of year, you’ll witness a vibrant clubbing scene replete with drag performances and ripped strippers around the Praça da República neighborhood, so get friendly with the locals! Take in some traditional music, too, and delight in São Paulo’s laid-back, Latin American schedule—the dinner rush starts at 9:30 or 10 pm, so you’ll have plenty of time before the bars start hopping at 1 am and the clubs get pumping from 3 am to daylight! Just be ready to dance all night long at the best gay clubs in Saõ Paulo, because Brazilians love to dance!
If you’re all clubbed out, you’ll want to explore São Paulo’s greenspace. Parque Ibirapuera (Ibirapuera Park) is redolent of Central Park or an English garden, but its grounds contain unique attractions. You can join a morning yoga session, paddle on the lake, or simply unwind under the shade of towering trees. The park is also home to several cultural institutions, including the Museu Afro Brasil, which celebrates the African heritage in Brazilian culture. Check out the planetarium for magnificent glimpses of the Southern sky and explore the park’s museums dedicated to Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous cultures. Ibirapuera hosts the fabulous São Paulo Fashion Week—although, given the park’s winding, snapshot-worthy trails, you might want to dress for jogging or biking as well as for the catwalk! São Paulo’s location near the Atlantic Ocean and the city’s lush rainforest surroundings mean that ethical ecotourism opportunities abound just outside the metropolis.
For a taste of São Paulo's rich culinary scene, head to the Mercado Municipal, a bustling market that's a feast for the taste buds. Savor traditional Brazilian dishes like feijoada, a delicious stew of beans with beef and pork, acarajé, crispy bean and onion cakes stuffed with a flavorful middle, and the famous mortadella sandwich, with mortadella sausage, Provolone cheese, sourdough bread, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard, or indulge in exotic fruits and sweets from around the globe! The market's stained glass windows and vibrant atmosphere make it a delightful spot for a leisurely lunch.
The city’s Carnaval de São Paulo (Carnival) showcases Afro-Brazilian samba across entire blocos (city blocks), so get ready to dance your heart out! North of Ibirapuera, São Paulo’s Liberdade district is home to the world’s largest Japanese community outside of Japan. You’ll recognize Liberdade by its tall red torii (traditional gates) and bustling street market.
São Paulo’s demographics are broadly out and proud—which, by Brazilian standards, says a lot!—making this city hot, happening, and hugely fun!
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