Now that you already know the biggies, let’s take a look at the smaller clubs. In Ipanema the first that comes to mind is Club W, at the corner of Rua Prudente de Morais and Rua Paul Redfern. This is a sophisticated venue with a capacity for about 300 people and a selection of parties that happen all week long. Take your pick and have loads of fun.

There are two smaller clubs in Ipanema that we also cannot forget to mention. Galeria Café is a small dance club on Rua Teixeira de Melo, and they have been around for quite a while – with a loyal following of locals and visitors. Dama de Ferro on Rua Vinícius de Morais is named after UK’s Iron Lady Margareth Thatcher (maybe you are too young to remember). They have a selection of special parties including "SHH, Clube do Silencio" where you can put on the headphones provided, and dance to your choice of DJ’s. It’s also where you have the best Friday after-hours parties in town.

GIG on Rua Visconde de Pirajá, almost corner of Rua Garcia Davila, is a sophisticated lounge where many fun parties happen. Boox is a restaurant and bar, that is also turned nightclub for special parties and events.

In Gávea there's Club 00, right next to Rio de Janeiro's Planetarium. This is a sophisticated venue with a combination of restaurant, lounge, dance club, and a host of special parties that are worth going to. Though this is a mixed venue, Sundays are especially gay-friendly.

Moving on to neighboring Copacabana: The Copa, a combination of dance club, lounge and restaurant, has a number of special theme parties. The cute waiters, kitsch decor and cocktails have everything to do with Copacabana. La Cueva, the grandpa of gay clubs in Copa, is where it's always been - next to Brigitte Blair theater on Rua Miguel Lemos. Fosfobox is a new addition to the Copa scene that already has a loyal following. It's a mixed club, unpretentious and fun.

Going a bit further ahead back to Downtown: Cabaret Casanova is one of the most traditional gay clubs in Rio. It features popular drag and stripper shows, and it's been around for over seven decades. Star Club, more commonly referred to as Buraco da Lacraia is a riot. There are 2 x 1 beer specials served by waiters in nothing but aprons on Fridays! There's a chance to meet people from the suburbs, trannies, and guys that just wanna have fun away from posers, in a beyond casual atmosphere.

And if you're feeling a bit more adventurous go out west all the way to Club 1140, the huge dance club in Jacarepagua, and run into a lot of faces you wouldn't see on South-Side clubs. There are several floors worth of fun, with many DJ's playing at the same time. Meet the West-Side boys and girls! It's best to go with a local that will give a ride. Offer to share the gas, it's a long way from Ipanema or Copacabana. Or be nice and take the bill of the taxi for the round-trip, and give your friend a break. There's a policy of zero tolerance to alcohol and driving being enforced in Rio.

As Rio does not have a party rag, the best source for the parties happening on a particular weekend is our Facebook Page where you can download or RSVP e-flyers to all good parties. Feel free to explore our Events section. Please add us as a friend first. Weekly Veja Rio, and newspapers O Globo and Jornal do Brasil come on Friday with an entertainment supplement that includes a gay section. Since all of these paper sources are available in Portuguese only, ask a cute local for assistance with the translation. Cool boutiques in Ipanema are a good source of paper flyers, that are also occasionally handed out at Farme Gay and Posto 9 Beaches.