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tl;dr – If you’re in São Paulo and a fan of cocktails, Bar dos Arcos is a worthy pitstop. The drinks are outstanding, the atmosphere is unique and lively, and the service is friendly and not pretentious despite being a bit buzzy.
Call it quirky, maybe even a bit weird—one of my favorite things to do while traveling in foreign countries is checking out local grocery stores. After dragging the gracious Mrs. Blackbeard on an expedition to Casa Santa Luzia in the Paulista neighborhood of São Paulo, I played coy with our next location while hailing a car, hoping to pull off a bit of a ‘wow’ surprise on her.
Bar dos Arcos is a cocktail bar located underneath the Municipal Theatre of São Paulo at Ramos de Azevedo Square in the city center. The place first came on my radar when I was scouring Google Maps looking for cocktail spots to check out. It’s pretty highly reviewed, and after more research, I noticed it was a recurring feature on many ‘best of lists’. Promising.
Entry, Design and Atmosphere
Considered one of São Paulo’s defining landmarks, the Municipal Theatre of São Paulo is quite a regal building. Set amongst a few other theatres and halls that are similarly ornate, the entrance to the bar is on the side of the theatre opposite the park in the middle of the square. Ascending the staircase to the left, you’ll find a booth where a host will check you in and then escort you downstairs.
Municipal Theatre of São Paulo, city center square and entrance to Bar dos Arcos – Source: You Are Travel
As the name would suggest, the design of the bar is a labyrinth where illuminated tables fit in between rows of stone arches – it’s quite astonishing. Bouncy but not overbearing music plays throughout the hall. Subterranean bars seemed to be a popular theme in the neighborhood – nearby, there’s another bar I hoped to visit next (we got tired and did not end up making it) called SubAstor Bar do Cofre, which is a cocktail bar in an old underground bank vault. We were seated near the long bar and given a small paper menu. (Their extended menu is also available via QR code on the tables.)
Getting seated at Bar dos Arcos – Source: You Are Travel
Looking around, it appeared to be a local spot. On the night we visited, most of the people appeared to be native Portuguese speakers, and there was a mix of smaller and bigger parties. From all appearances, people looked comfortable and were having a good time.
The Drinks & Service
The cocktails were fantastic. We had two rounds (or maybe three? – I can’t remember), and everything was on point. Again, the naming conventions liberally use the underground theme. Despite bold hues, the drinks adhere to an uncluttered style—little to no garnish usage, simple but accentuating glassware—letting the pronounced flavors speak for themselves. We enjoyed ‘Sacred Geometry,’ ‘Invitation to Travel,’ ‘Ghostly,’ and ‘The Death of the Plan.’
A selection of libations at Bar dos Arcos – Source: You Are Travel
The drinks worked well with the surrounding space—blink your eyes, and you’ll remember you’re drinking in an ornate crypt but with the comfort and unfussiness of your favorite local bar.
The drinks are fantastic – Source: You Are Travel
The service was friendly and efficient. Bar dos Arcos focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere where all guests are safe.
Conclusion
Bar dos Arcos also serves food, and though we didn’t order anything ourselves, a party next to us ordered a few tempting plates. The team also runs The Golden Bar ,which serves brunch and lunch and is located upstairs on the ground floor of the theatre. I hope to eat at The Golden Bar on a future trip to São Paulo, where I’ll also be sure to revisit the Bar dos Arcos.
