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Rio Festa GROWL Presents 2026

Festa GROWL presents some of the biggest bear-friendly parties in Rio throughout the year.

  • Event Dates

    From: Awaiting dates
    To: Awaiting dates

  • Key Highlights

    • Guest DJs
    • Sexy Bears
    • Drag Shows
    • Beefy GoGos
    • Special Guests
    • Live Performances

Rio Festa GROWL Presents 2026

Festa GROWL presents some of the biggest bear-friendly parties in Rio throughout the year.

  • Stay close to all the best beaches of Copacabana at the Emiliano Rio, rated “Superb” by guests offering spectacular views, a rooftop infinity pool, high-end amenities and highly-rated breakfasts.

The Party

  • Next Edition: Awaiting dates.
  • Festa GROWL is the biggest bear party in Rio, producing pop-up events and parties throughout the year and during Special Events.
  • The party takes over Mansao L&D and runs from 11 pm until late.
  • Each party has a unique theme with guest DJs, Drag Shows, Live performances, special guests and beefy gogos.
  • Papi parties typically attract an older near clientele and those that love them!
  • Stay close to the party in the central district at the “Excellent” rated Vila Gale Hotel, an oasis in the heart of Rio with a large outdoor pool, spacious rooms and central location.

The Lineup

  • 🎶 Pop • Funk • Electro • Brasilidades • Retrô • Dance
  • ✨ + Dark Room 😈 + Salão de Jogos 🎲 + Chapelaria 🎒
  • 🎶 Latinidades • Pop • Funk • Electro • Brasilidades • Retrô • Dance

The Venue

  • Mansao L&D – Located on Rua Andre Cavalcati, 58 in the centro district, the historic heart of Rio.
  • A popular nightclub with bears and chasers complete with dancefloor, stage area and bar.
  • The club is a 13km/8 mile journey taking between 20 to 30 minutes by car.

Recommended Hotels in Rio

Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to all the action

Orla Copacabana Hotel,    Rio Othon Palace,    Atlantis Copacabana Hotel,    Hotel Fasano

Gay Map of Rio

Most of Rips gay bars are located in Ipanema and Copacabana. Ipanema's gayest nightspot is on the beach block of Rua Teixeira de Melo, next to Farme.

Along Copacabana beach there is a traditionally gay-friendly area known as Bolsa, near Lido. Hustlers are pretty much part of the scene, and you should keep a good hold on your wallet

Address: Avenida Atlântica, Copacabana, Zona Sul do Rio de Janeiro, 

  • Beachfront address at Posto 5, Copacabana.
  • Calm rooms, comfy beds, strong showers.
  • Rooftop pool-bar with wide bay views.
  • Big breakfast; smooth beach service.
  • Short walk to Arpoador and Ipanema.
  • Website

Address: Av. Vieira Souto, 80 - Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

  • Design icon on Ipanema’s beachfront.
  • Atlantic-view rooms; calm, refined interiors.
  • Rooftop pool with showstopper views.
  • Gero dining and a sharp cocktail bar.
  • Polished service; beach setup done right.
  • Website

Address: Av. Atlântica 1702 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Historic beachfront legend on Copacabana.
  • Elegant rooms; many with ocean views.
  • Iconic pool; calm guest-only deck.
  • Cipriani and MEE lead standout dining.
  • Polished service with full beach setup.
  • Website

Address: Av. Atlântica, 4122 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Beachfront stay at Posto 6 near Arpoador.
  • Compact, tidy rooms; many with ocean views.
  • Rooftop terrace with small pool and gym.
  • Solid breakfast; beach kit provided.
  • Easy walk to Ipanema; taxis on the door.
  • Website

Address: Rua Sacadura Cabral, 135 – Saúde/Gamboa

  • Huge LGBTQ club in Saúde/Gamboa.
  • Big floor, mezzanine, heavy sound.
  • Fast bars; mixed, friendly crowd.
  • Event-led nights with headliner DJs.
  • Open: Thursday–Sunday 11pm–5am
  • Instagram

Address: Rua do Riachuelo, 97 – Lapa/Centro

  • Mansion-style LGBTQ club in Rio.
  • Runway shows, dancers, heavy sound.
  • Quick bars; good for groups.
  • Packed weekends; late finish.
  • Open: Event nights only 11pm–6am
  • Instagram

Address: Rua Teixeira de Melo 31 Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

  • Staple LGBTQ club in Ipanema.
  • Pop/house, drag moments, late crowd.
  • Fast pours; friendly, mixed vibe.
  • Close to the Farme strip.
  • Open: Thursday–Saturday 11pm–4am (Sunday–Wednesday Closed)
  • Instagram

Address: Rua Raul Pompéia 102, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Copacabana’s pop-drag late-night club.
  • Shows first, then DJs till morning.
  • Quick pours; mixed, friendly crowd.
  • Near the beach; easy taxi pickup.
  • Open: Monday–Thursday 9pm–4am, Friday–Saturday 9pm–5:30am Sunday 9pm–4am
  • Facebook

Address: Rua do Resende 82 A - Lapa - Centro, Rio de Janeiro

  • Retro pop-dance club in Lapa.
  • Drag moments, DJs, packed weekends.
  • Fast bar, fair prices, mixed crowd.
  • Easy taxi pick-up outside.
  • Open: Friday–Saturday 11pm–5am, (Sunday–Thursday Closed)
  • Instagram

Address: Av. Gomes Freire, 599 - Lapa, Rio de Janeiro

  • New LGBTQ club with two floors in Lapa.
  • Drag, dancers, DJs; open-bar party nights.
  • Quick bars; fair prices; mixed crowd.
  • Easy taxis; late, high-energy weekends.
  • Open: Friday–Saturday 11pm–7am (Sunday–Thursday Closed)
  • Instagram

Address: R. Teixeira de Melo, 47 - Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

  • Ipanema gay bar with a lively crowd.
  • Cocktails, DJs, and drag pop-ups.
  • Terrace people-watching before clubs.
  • Fast pours; friendly, mixed vibe.
  • Open: Monday–Thursday 12pm–2am, Friday–Saturday 12pm–3am Sunday 12pm–2am
  • Insragram

Address: Av. Rodrigues Alves, 293 - Saúde, Rio de Janeiro

  • Big warehouse club in Saúde.
  • Heavy sound, LEDs, headline DJs.
  • Fast bars; mixed, friendly crowd.
  • Late finish; easy taxis outside.
  • Open: Event nights 11pm–5am or later
  • Website   Instagram

Address: R. Riachuelo, 20 - Lapa, Rio de Janeiro

  • Lapa club with big floor and mezzanine.
  • Drag, bands, and DJ pop/EDM nights.
  • Quick bars; fair prices; friendly door.
  • Central, LGBTQ-friendly, late energy.
  • It also holds the bear party night festaursada.
  • Open: Event nights 11pm–5am
  • Website  festaursada Intagram

Address: R. do Lavradio, 163 - Lapa, Rio de Janeiro

  • Lapa’s LGBTQ party club with open-bar nights.
  • Big floor, LEDs, drag and headliner DJs.
  • Fast bars, fair prices, friendly door.
  • Late, high-energy weekends; easy taxis.
  • Open: (Hours vary by party; check the week’s listings.)
  • Facebook  Instagram

Address: R. Pedro Ernesto 5, Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro

  • Inclusive LGBTQ bar-club in Gamboa.
  • DJs, drag pop-ups, late weekend buzz.
  • Fair prices; quick bar and table service.
  • Easy taxis; compact, high-energy room.
  • Open: Monday–Thursday 10am–10pm, Friday–Saturday 10am–5am (Sunday Closed)
  • Instagram

Address: Av. Princesa Isabel, 21 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • LGBTQ pop/drag party with big energy.
  • Cheeky hosts, dancers, fast bars.
  • Young mixed crowd; fair prices.
  • Now based in Copacabana.
  • Open: Daily 11pm to 5am
  • Instagram

Address: Av. Niemeyer, 101 - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro

  • Leblon beach club with rooftop and pool.
  • Sunset views, daybeds, strong cocktails.
  • Event nights with drag and big DJs.
  • LGBTQ-friendly crowd, easy taxis.
  • Open: Thursday–Sunday 2pm–10pm, Monday–Wednesday Closed
  • Website

Address: R. Joana Angélica, 40 - Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

  • Eclectic bistrô near Ipanema Beach, close to Farme.
  • Creative small plates, smart cocktails, strong caipirinhas.
  • Cozy rooms and street tables; date-night feel, warm service.
  • Friendly team and an LGBTQ-friendly crowd from lunch to late.
  • Open: Monday–Thursday 12pm–12am,
  • Friday–Sunday 12pm–12.30am
  • Instagram

Address: Praça da República, 141 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro

  • Men-only cruising bar with cabins and maze.
  • Lockers, showers, tidy and discreet.
  • DJ playlists on peak nights, friendly crew.
  • Central spot with easy taxi pickup.
  • Open: Daily 10am–10pm
  • Website

Address: Rua Miguel Lemos 51 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Historic Copacabana gay bar since 1964.
  • Pop, Brazilian, retro; small, lively floor.
  • Fair prices, quick pours, friendly door.
  • Late, relaxed crowd near the beach.
  • Open: Tuesday–Thursday 10pm–4am, Friday–Saturday 10pm–5am
  • Sunday 10pm–4am. (Monday Closed)
  • Facebook

Address: R. dos Inválidos, n39 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro

  • Historic LGBTQ+ cabaret in central Rio.
  • Drag shows, live vocals, cheeky theatre.
  • Fair prices; quick bar; friendly door.
  • Lively late on weekends; classic vibe.
  • Open: Friday–Saturday 9pm–3am, Sunday 8pm–1am
  • Monday–Thursday Closed
  • Instagram

Address: Av. Atlântica 1850 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Classic Copacabana gay bar.
  • Pop/Brazilian hits; busier weekends.
  • Fair prices; fast, friendly pours.
  • Easy stop before the bigger clubs.
  • Open: Wednesday–Thursday 10pm–3am,
  • Friday–Saturday 10pm–5am, Sunday 10pm–3am
  • Monday–Tuesday Closed
  • Instagram

Address: Av. Nossa Sra. de Copacabana, 1417 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • Lively Copacabana LGBTQ bar-club.
  • Shows early; DJs run late.
  • Fast bars; mixed, friendly vibe.
  • Near the beach; easy taxi pickup.
  • Open: Monday–Saturday 8pm–5am, Sunday 10pm–5am
  • Facebook

Address: Avenida Atlântica, in front of Copacabana Palace (near Rua Rodolfo Dantas), Copacabana, Rio

  • LGBTQ beach kiosk by Copacabana Palace.
  • Cold drinks, pizzas, casual bites.
  • Sunset people-watching, easy vibes.
  • Day into night; relaxed and friendly.
  • Open: Sunday–Thursday 8am–12am, Friday–Saturday 8am–1am

Facebook

Address: Avenida Atlântica, Kiosk 63, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

  • LGBTQ-friendly beach kiosk on Copacabana.
  • Cold caipirinhas, beers, casual bites.
  • Great sunset views; easy vibe all day.
  • Fair prices; quick, friendly service.
  • Open: Daily 8am–12am
  • Instagram

Address: R. Cândido Mendes, 117 - Glória, Rio de Janeiro

  • Multi-room LGBTQ club in Glória.
  • Pop/funk/house; drag and dancers.
  • Quick bars; friendly mixed crowd.
  • Late weekends; easy taxi access.
  • Open: Thursday–Saturday 11pm–5am, Sunday 10pm–3am
  • Monday–Wednesday Closed
  • Instagram

Address: R. Teixeira de Melo 16, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

  • Ipanema men’s spa with full facilities.
  • Steam, dry sauna, cabins, bar, massage.
  • Clean, relaxed vibe; busiest late afternoon.
  • Near Farme beach; handy central spot.
  • Open: Daily 3pm-10pm
  • Website

Recommended Hotels in Rio By Booking

Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Rio that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars

Hotel Fasano
5 Star, Luxury

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro
Booking.com
  • 5-star, rooftop pool, Ipanema Beach
  • Close to the gay district
  • Balcony, flat-screen TV, minibar
  • Luxurious beachfront accommodation with spa, wellness center, and stunning sea views.

Copacabana Palace
5 Star, Readers Choice

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Booking.com
  • 5-star, ocean views
  • Close to the gay district
  • King-size beds, free internet
  • Offers a wellness spa, gastronomic restaurants, and panoramic views on Copacabana Beachfront.

Miramar Hotel
5 Star, Great Value

Booking.com
  • 5-star, opposite Copacabana Beach
  • Close to the gay district
  • Air conditioning, cable TV
  • Features a green granite pool, modern gym, butler service, and rich breakfast options.

Orla Copacabana
4 Star, Location

Booking.com
  • 4-star, facing Copacabana Beach
  • Close to the gay district
  • Air conditioning, cable TV, minibar
  • Free WiFi, rooftop pool, restaurant with panoramic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the ocean.

Video Rio Guide

Discover the top places to visit in Rio with Ryan Shirley

Windsor Miarmar Rio

Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro

Gay Rio de Janeiro, a city that pulses with energy, celebrates diversity, and embraces the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. Nestled between lush mountains and stunning beaches, Rio de Janeiro is not only a tropical paradise but also a haven for those seeking a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. From the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to the lively Lapa district, gay Rio de Janeiro offers a kaleidoscope of experiences.

Ipanema | The heart of Rio's beauty

Ipanema Rio
Photo: Ipanema is home to some of Rio's most popular beaches
  • Ipanema, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro that's known for its LGBTQ+ friendly vibe and diverse community.
  • Nestled alongside the iconic Ipanema Beach, this area has become a hub for LGBTQ+ travelers and locals alike.
  • With its relaxed beach culture, a range of LGBTQ+-owned businesses where you can enjoy the sand and surf during the day and explore the local nightlife after dark.
  • Discover the best things to see and do in Ipanema

Copacabana

The iconic beachfront of Copacabana has a variety of LGBTQ+-friendly establishments & a diverse crowd.

Lapa

Lapa Rio
Lapa is an eclectic neighborhood with a mix of nightlife options, including LGBTQ+ bars & clubs.

Leblon

leblon Rio

Leblon is known for its beautiful beach, high-end shops, restaurants, bars and the best hotels in Rio

Santa Teresa

This bohemian neighborhood has a relaxed & inclusive vibe. It's known for its artsy atmosphere.

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