Mangue Seco, Rio de Janeiro

Here, in the heart of Rio's historic center, you'll find locals dancing the night away every night of the week, always fueled by one of the hundreds of types of cachaça (sugar cane rum) on offer. Mangue Seco describes itself as a 'cachaçaria', but in reality is much more than that. Along with an excellent program of live samba, this Lapa institution boasts an excellent menu that incorporates light snacks such as black bean soup with heartier fare such as traditional Bahian moqueca (seafood stew). There's live music nightly, with an emphasis on samba and choro – even shrinking violets will want to shake their stuff after experimenting with the cachaça menu. - Lucy Bryson

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