Most tourists immediately think of Rio de Janeiro as the place to visit and have fun in Brazil. But for those seeking a serious nightlife experience, the place to be is Sao Paulo.

South America's biggest city offers infinite options for a good time. There's something for everybody — those wanting a peaceful dinner with a city view or those looking for an exciting night out dancing.

Sao Paulo residents, the Paulistanos, have a reputation for being hard workers. The city, with its skyscraper-lined avenues and twisting streets, is known as the country's financial heart.

But when they leave their offices, Paulistanos know how to entertain themselves. And without the world-renowned beaches that only Rio de Janeiro has to offer, the Paulistanos wisely choose the nighttime for their fun-filled outings.

There are about 55,000 bars and restaurants in the city of more than 12 million people, according to numbers released by Sao Paulo state's Bar and Restaurant Association.

A decent restaurant is only a 20-minute taxi ride away, and that's counting the time spent in the city's hectic daily traffic. Nightclubs can be found nearly everywhere too, with 2,000 of them around town.

___

WEST SIDE!

Sao Paulo's west side has the greatest number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The area is home to the trendy Vila Olimpia and Vila Madalena neighborhoods, where many of the city' actors and well-to-do people show up to have some fun.

Nightlife can start early there, in one of the many happy-hour bars throughout the area. The Piraja is a good option with its famous shredded sun-dried meat, a tastier version of beef jerky, while the nearby Astor is perfect for those wanting a renowned "chope," or draft beer.

Those looking for a nice dinner have plenty of options too. The Skye in the Jardins neighborhood is one of them. Located at the rooftop of a traditional local five-star hotel, the stylish restaurant offers diverse culinary offerings and a unique view of the city.

Need a more casual dinner? Look for one of the nearly 6,000 "pizzerias" throughout town. A big tradition in Sao Paulo, the pizza places can be found nearly in every corner. Sunday is usually the night for pizza, but traditional pizzerias such as the Bras, Santa Pizza and Esperanca are packed almost every day of the week.

The Chacara Santa Cecilia is the best alternative for those seeking a little bit of everything. Located in the upscale Pinheiros neighborhood, it's a restaurant, a happy-hour bar and a nightclub — all in one.

Other interesting nightclubs include the Cabral, which has small waterfalls, and the top-notch clubs Lotus and D-Edge, which are often attended by the city's rich and famous.

Most nightclubs in Brazil open late, usually not before 11 p.m., and stay open until the early morning hours. Lots of them even offer breakfast buffets so partygoers can cap the night of dancing.

___

BEYOND NIGHTLIFE

A night in Sao Paulo can include much more — like musicals and plays in one of the city's more than 50 theaters, or a symphony or opera in the traditional Municipal Theater.

No matter the visitor's taste, Sao Paulo has plenty to offer to everyone — from the hardcore nightlife enthusiast to those looking for a relaxed outing around the city. An entertaining and fun-filled night is easily attainable.

Safety is obviously an issue in a city as big as Sao Paulo, although tourists shouldn't have problems if they take basic measures to protect themselves — like not leaving valuables in sight or wandering to deserted and knowingly unsafe areas.

Robbery attempts when cars stop on traffic lights are not uncommon, as well as the so called "express kidnappings," in which victims are captured and forced to withdrawal money from ATM machines. In all cases, police advise victims to comply with the robbers, who usually don't cause physical harm.

___

asap contributor Tales Azzoni is a reporter in the AP's Sao Paulo bureau.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.