Classic Copacabana Bars: Cervantes, Bip Bip and Pérola
Three neighborhood bars that outlast mass tourism, a short walk from the Argos studios.
7/9/2026
Avenida Atlântica in Copacabana has become a tourist showcase, but a two- or three-block walk inland is enough to find the neighborhood bars that have carried Rio's bohemian reputation for more than sixty years. This route covers three classics — Cervantes, Bip Bip and Adega Pérola — all a short walk from the Argos Esmeralda and Argos Safira studios, on Rua Barata Ribeiro.
Copacabana has more drinking history than it lets on
Visitors arriving along the beachfront see kiosks and bars aimed at passing tourists. The nightlife that made Copacabana's history, though, sits a few blocks inland — on corners that have resisted real-estate pressure since the 1950s. Three of them make up a route short enough to cover in a single night, walking straight from the studios.
Cervantes: the sandwich that became legend, on the studios' own street
Cervantes opened in 1955 on Rua Barata Ribeiro, a few numbers from the Argos Esmeralda and Argos Safira studios — same street, minutes on foot. It's known for its pork-leg sandwich with pineapple and cheese, assembled to order and served into the small hours: the bar is open every day, from 11am to 5am. It reopened in 2024 after almost two years closed and came back as a symbol of Rio's bohemian nightlife, not as a tourist attraction.
On Barata Ribeiro, Cervantes closes at 5am — in practice, it barely closes at all.
Bip Bip: samba and choro on a corner turned heritage site
A few blocks away, on Rua Domingos Ferreira, Bip Bip has been a live-music gathering spot since the 1960s: samba, choro and MPB played almost every night, in a circle, with no stage. It's recognized as cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro and has counted names like Chico Buarque among its audience. The bar doesn't have a table for everyone — part of the crowd stands on the sidewalk, drink in hand, listening from outside.
Adega Pérola: the Portuguese bar from 1957
On Rua Siqueira Campos, Adega Pérola has been a neighborhood bar since 1957, opened by Portuguese immigrants from Madeira Island. The menu runs past 100 small dishes — the standout is the seafood combo with scallops, shrimp and mussels. It's open Monday to Saturday, 11am to 1am, and is recognized as Rio cultural heritage.
A 3-stop walking route, starting from the studios
- Cervantes — Rua Barata Ribeiro, 7: first stop, a few meters from the studios. Pork-leg sandwich and cold draft beer, every day until 5am.
- Bip Bip — Rua Domingos Ferreira, 214: live samba and choro almost every night, standing or on the sidewalk.
- Adega Pérola — Rua Siqueira Campos, 138: closes out the route with Portuguese snacks and a calmer setting for conversation, until 1am.
Base for the route: the Argos studios in Copacabana
The Argos Esmeralda and Argos Safira studios sit in Edifício Armoleu, on Rua Barata Ribeiro, three blocks from the beach and two from the metro — steps from Cervantes. Self check-in until 10pm, 24-hour front desk and a ready work station for guests basing themselves in Copacabana and walking out to discover the neighborhood's classics.
Fully equipped studios in Copacabana
A base within walking distance of the neighborhood's historic bars, with 24-hour front desk and human support in PT, EN and ES.
Check availabilityFrequently asked questions
Are the bars close to the Argos studios?
Yes. All three — Cervantes, Bip Bip and Adega Pérola — sit a few blocks from the Argos Esmeralda and Argos Safira studios, on Rua Barata Ribeiro, all reachable on foot within 10-15 minutes.
Which one is the oldest?
Adega Pérola, a Portuguese bar founded in 1957, closely followed by Cervantes (1955) and by Bip Bip, a live-music venue since the 1960s.
Can the route be done in a single night?
Yes. All three sit on nearby Copacabana streets — Barata Ribeiro, Domingos Ferreira and Siqueira Campos — and the walk between them takes just minutes.
Is a table guaranteed at Bip Bip?
Not always. It's a small, informal bar — on nights when the circle fills up, part of the crowd stands or waits on the sidewalk, drink in hand, following along from outside.
Do the bars serve food, or just drinks?
All three serve snacks. Cervantes is famous for its pork-leg sandwich; Adega Pérola has more than 100 Portuguese snack options; Bip Bip is more focused on drinks and music, with simple bar bites.