5 reviewed party hostels · from €15.49/night · Hostelworld rated
Rio de Janeiro doesn’t just have a nightlife scene: it has a nightlife culture. By midnight, Lapa’s arches are packed with backpackers, locals, and samba bands spilling out of bars like **Bar Bukowski** or **Rio Scenarium**. The hostel scene here is built for socialising, with places like **Books Hostel** running their own bar crawls and beer pong tournaments. Most party hostels sit in Lapa or nearby Santa Teresa, putting you within walking distance of the action. If you’re not staying in one, you’ll end up there anyway: it’s where everyone goes after dark.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Developed by backpackers, with a strong focus on creating a clean, open and friendly social environment for people to meet and explore the city. Regular social activities. Great common areas, including a bar.
Quirky laidback but upbeat atmosphere, with a great very good for partying and getting to know new people. Great common area, on-site bar with happy hour, play your own music and regular tours and activities.
Pura Vida Hostel Rio de Janeiro is a top-notch party hostel, offering an unbeatable location within walking distance of Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches. With its energetic and vibrant atmosphere, guests can enjoy a variety of fun events, themed nights, and lively gatherings at the on-site bar and nightclub.
Selina hostel is located close to the famous Copacabana beach. As most of the hostels from Selina chain it has a movie room to chill out with friends. There is an amazing on-site bar and a rooftop that becomes a club at nights. It is pet friendly.
Ipanema Beach Hostel is the ultimate party destination in Rio de Janeiro. With its unbeatable location just a block away from the iconic Ipanema beach and surrounded by restaurants, bars, and clubs, the party never stops. Free caipirinhas every night, on-site and club parties, daily activities, and a 24/7 bar create a lively and vibrant atmosphere, ensuring guests have an unforgettable party experience in the heart of the city.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This crawl takes you through Lapa’s best bars, starting with a free shot of cachaça at the first stop. You’ll visit four venues, including a samba bar and a street party spot, with live music and drink deals along the way. The night ends at a club, usually **Rio Scenarium** or **The Week**.
A more local-focused crawl that visits hidden bars and street parties most tourists miss. Expect caipirinhas, forró music, and a crowd of backpackers and cariocas. The crawl ends at a nightclub, often **The Week** or **Club Love**. Includes one free drink at each stop.
How Rio De Janeiro's nightlife zones break down
The heart of Rio’s nightlife, Lapa is a maze of bars, clubs, and street parties. By day, it’s quiet, with crumbling colonial buildings and the iconic arches. By night, the streets fill with music, caipirinhas, and crowds spilling out of venues like **Rio Scenarium** and **Lapa 40 Graus**. It’s where backpackers and locals collide.
Famous for its beach and boardwalk, Copacabana is where you go for sun, sea, and beachfront bars. The nightlife here is more touristy, with clubs like **The Week** drawing big crowds. It’s a 15-minute Uber ride to Lapa, so expect to commute if you want the full party experience.
A bohemian neighbourhood perched on a hill, Santa Teresa feels like a village within the city. Cobblestone streets, art galleries, and cosy bars make it a great place to escape the chaos. It’s a 10-minute walk to Lapa, so you’re never far from the action.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A dimly lit bar with mismatched furniture and a jukebox that plays everything from samba to punk. It’s where locals and travellers mix before heading to clubs. Happy hour runs from 6–8 PM, with caipirinhas for R$12. Gets packed by 10 PM, so arrive early for a seat.
A three-floor club packed with antiques, live samba bands, and a dance floor that’s always heaving. Entry is R$40–R$60, including one drink. The crowd is a mix of tourists and cariocas, and the music switches from samba to forró after midnight. Dress well: no shorts or sandals.
Rio’s most famous club, housed in a converted warehouse with a massive outdoor terrace. International DJs play electronic music, and the crowd is a mix of models, expats, and backpackers. Entry is R$80–R$120, but it’s worth it for the sound system. Doors don’t get busy until 2 AM.
A no-frills bar with R$5 beers and a crowd that spills onto the street. It’s the go-to spot for pre-drinks before hitting the clubs. Live samba bands play most nights, and the energy is infectious. Open until 4 AM on weekends.
A tiny, intimate club with live samba and choro music every night. The crowd is mostly locals, and the caipirinhas are strong. Entry is R$30–R$50, and it’s standing-room only by 11 PM. A great place to experience authentic Rio nightlife.
The in-house bar at **Books Hostel** is where backpackers start their night. Beer pong tournaments run every Thursday, and the caipirinhas are R$10 during happy hour (8–10 PM). The crowd is young and international, and it’s a five-minute walk to Lapa’s main clubs.
A beachfront bar in Copacabana with R$8 beers and live forró music on weekends. It’s a chilled spot for daytime drinking or a sunset session. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and the vibe is relaxed until midnight, when it turns into a proper party.