When I was last in Rio, at the beginning of Covid, I stayed at the Copacabana Palace. I asked the concierge if it was safe to go for a walk. He said no! I pointed out that i did not have an expensive watch, and wore a t-shirt and jeans. He said, ok, but turn right, not left! I did turn right, and no issues, beach bars, music dancing, etc. All very friendly. When I was in Rio years before, I always thought that turning left, and left again, into the back streets was a little risky, but there were some gay bars there then, where you could pick up some very attractive boys! There was also the Sauna Leblon, which in those pre HIV days, was a hive of gay BB sex! Does anyone remember that place?