Santa Marta is also renowned for its successful and expansive music venue, which hosts a wide range of samba, jazz and funk events each week, and comes to life with great fervor in the run-up to Carnival. These big parties offer a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to meet and share one another's world over vibrant music, lovely views, and traditional food and drink.

Located in the colorful and vibrant Santa Marta favela, on number 14 Rua do Mengão, is a well-loved culinary treasure called Bar do Zequinha (Zequinha's Bar). José Bomfim Carlos, fondly nicknamed Zequinha, is the owner and cook who moved to the favela in 2001 and has worked tirelessly on the creation, development and everyday running of this superb eatery ever since. He prepares unparalleled chicken dishes, garnished with garlic, parsley and onions, as well as contra file steak and fish - all accompanied with the traditional black beans, rice and farofa. These dishes wash down wonderfully with a cold beer from the bar.

somewhat similar is the bar do joão in the jupira street, serving a variety of beer and light dishes, like clabrese sausage, its proximity to the mocidade unida de santa marta samba school makes it the prime reunion point for those waiting to enjoy the shows