rio is not a city of single pleasures, its residents like to combine all that increases enjoyment and intensify sensual experience - bars and restaurants, in full appreciation of cariocas' great affinity and affection for both food and music, commonly intertwine the two by playing host to a variety of live music.

a cornerstone of its historical and traditional riches, many of the well-loved sambistas and forró artists met together at eateries to create their music.

zicartola was one of these famous establishments, opened by the samba composer, angenor de oliveira (cartola), and his culinarily talented wife, dona zica, in the 1960s - the establishment brought together over its lifetime some of the biggest names in samba and bossa nova, as well as providing the first stage to paulinho da viola.

an impressive number of the restaurants and bars that line the streets of lapa offer mesmerising samba shows side-by-side with a traditional brazilian menu.