Bar Luiz

Bar Luiz is a historic bar and restaurant on Rua da Carioca in Centro, the downtown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its listing dates its operation to 1887 and it is known for draft beer and German-influenced bar food, a legacy of the German-Brazilian tradition of chope houses in the city. The venue is a heritage bar rather than a chef-led restaurant, so its distinction lies in its longevity and its atmosphere rather than in awards. The signature offer is chope, the light, well-chilled draft beer, along with sausages and sauerkraut, rolmops (pickled herring rolls) and German potato salad. These dishes set it apart from the more typical Brazilian botequim menu and are what many visitors seek out. Prices are moderate, roughly R$60-110 (about $12-21) per person. The beer is the centre of the beverage programme, and the venue is not oriented toward wine. The room has an old-fashioned, tavern-like character, with a steady office crowd at lunch and after work, and noise levels that climb in the early evening. Dress is casual, and the crowd is a mix of downtown workers, regulars and visitors on a historic-centre walk. It is listed as open Monday to Saturday from about 11:30 to 23:00 and closed on Sundays, so a visit should be planned around the weekday rhythm of Centro; hours should be confirmed locally. Reservations are not the norm, since the place is walk-in, though the website barluiz.com.br is available for information. Rua da Carioca is close to Largo da Carioca, the Metro and many of the downtown landmarks, which makes the bar an easy pause on a sightseeing route. Lunch and the after-office hours are the busiest, so a mid-afternoon visit is the quietest way to enjoy the room.