Cruising bars , events, parties in Rio

[Curioustraveler]

Hello all,

Planning on  my second trip to Rio by the end of November, this time I might have to avoid  saunas like Pointe 202 and 117  with GP since I'll be in Rio during the Gay pride weekend, and probably  most people including GP's will be at the pride parade and other events. I was doing some research for parties during pride weekend and found out a few cruising bars and parties advertised on Instagram, I was wondering if any of you guys have tried these bars/parties/events and if it's worth going:

Taurus Bar - Lapa:  advertised as a cruising bar with darkrooms and glory holes

Black Cat: Copa, similar as as Taurus but seems more touristy than locals?

Sauna Chupps, sauna with dark rooms and events.

SB Sauna .  same as Chupps

Macho man club:  seem they do events every other week.

 

thank you in advance!

 

 

[Riobard]

IMHO the GPs will likely be celebrating a gayforpayness leg up more than gayness, and any indication of linear parade participation will be the usual traffic circuit from the spa amenities or darkroom thru the central bar to the back smoking zone and back ad infinitum. Avoid at risk of deprivation and being shortchanged expressivity of particular components of Thanksgiving season gratitude that week.

Chances are that on the Saturday night at 117 there will be a festive nod to pride along with a celebration of birthdays of reception staff Claudio and barkeep Tiago. 

[Latbear4blk]

4 hours ago, Curioustraveler said:

Hello all,

Planning on  my second trip to Rio by the end of November, this time I might have to avoid  saunas like Pointe 202 and 117  with GP since I'll be in Rio during the Gay pride weekend, and probably  most people including GP's will be at the pride parade and other events. I was doing some research for parties during pride weekend and found out a few cruising bars and parties advertised on Instagram, I was wondering if any of you guys have tried these bars/parties/events and if it's worth going:

Taurus Bar - Lapa:  advertised as a cruising bar with darkrooms and glory holes

Black Cat: Copa, similar as as Taurus but seems more touristy than locals?

Sauna Chupps, sauna with dark rooms and events.

SB Sauna .  same as Chupps

Macho man club:  seem they do events every other week.

 

thank you in advance!

 

 

My time in Rio is monopolized by the GP saunas, so there is nothing I can tell about those places.

I have never been there during Pride celebrations, but I dare to say that your assumption is wrong. I am quite confident that GPs and their admirers celebrate the event at the saunas.

[Mavica]

7 hours ago, Curioustraveler said:

I might have to avoid saunas like Pointe 202 and 117 with GP since I'll be in Rio during the Gay pride weekend, and probably most people including GP's will be at the pride parade and other events.

I think the vast majority of GPs will be working the saunas, not participating in Pride events other than what the sauna itself puts on.

[Primeone385]

Arent the prices higher during that time?

[SolaceSoul]

13 hours ago, Curioustraveler said:

I'll be in Rio during the Gay pride weekend, and probably  most people including GP's will be at the pride parade and other events

In almost two decades of going to Rio and Brazil, I’ve never once been to any of the Gay Pride parade or parties. The overwhelming majority of GPs do not identify as gay and are mostly at the saunas (or placing ads) to work. But I’m sure if you pay a GP for his time, quite a few might actually accompany you to a pride parade or event. 
 

3 hours ago, Primeone385 said:

 

Arent the prices higher during that time?

 

No. 

[redxs]

Hi - I’m in town from 11 November, let me know if you or anyone else is and wants to meet up for beers or beach.

Also, anyone know about the troubles in Rio currently? Any need to be worried?

thanks

[Riobard]

I think it’s day to day following yesterday’s ‘war zone’ up near the main airport. I wonder about residual vehicular traffic blockades posed by one side of the belligerents: the alleged crime faction, that I believe were quite disruptive as an alleged retaliatory measure yesterday, including areas far from the shootout phenomenon. Of course this does not rule out the possibility of police-initiated barricades.

At the very least, I would want to be familiar with Metro and Supervia rail options for contingency planning. I assume that the VLT light rail transit, a fairly limited circumscribed area relatively speaking, as well as BRT long haul trans-city bus routes could be comparatively more subject to blockades at a traffic flow structural level. These blockades apparently consist of dozens of buses commandeered (or leased?) by the civilian belligerent category.

Those here with boots on the ground will know more. 

It’s all slowing my roll with respect to planning a trip in the upcoming weeks using up a relatively small amount of allocated visa-dependent days left over prior to my migratory year reset. Likely Europe instead now. 

[Riobard]

Reports of traffic disruption having occurred in the southeastern city region may be overblown if not inaccurate. I think that main route vehicular traffic may be now normalized even where the greatest impacts in the northern zone were. Fallout from yesterday’s flashpoint in terms of disruption in conventional tourism zones may be negligible at face value. 

[Mavica]

On 10/29/2025 at 2:08 AM, Primeone385 said:

Arent the prices higher during that time?

I doubt it.  The clientele is stereotypical, IMO. The market price ... is what it is.  We know that the rates are at the R150-200 level at 117 and 202.  Asking prices might be R300 and quickly drop to R200, and oftentimes less, depending on sauna, day of week, time of day, activity at the sauna and how many GP are competing for attention.  

[Latbear4blk]

7 hours ago, Mavica said:

IAsking prices might be R300 and quickly drop to R200, and oftentimes less, depending on sauna, day of week, time of day, activity at the sauna and how many GP are competing for attention.  

Yep. And you forgot to list "day of the month". The first week, when the deadline for rents approaches is a party for clients.