São Paulo Gay Parade: one of the biggest in the world
A survey conducted by the specialized site GayCities.com, in partnership with the airline American Airlines, during 2011, placed the city of São Paulo as the fourth best city for gays to live and visit.
The site writes about the city starting with the famous parade: “It would be unfair to say that São Paul has an emerging gay scene. The Gay Parade in São Paulo is one of the largest in the world, attracting 3 million people annually”. And continues: “The GLS (Brazilian slang for gays, lesbians and supporters) scene have an inclination to the alternative and underground than the Rio de Janeiro. Megaclubs with go-go boys and DJs are popular, but also has bars and restaurants with live music, cheap drinks and shows with drags.”
São Paulo’s Gay Parade always happens in June, in 2012 is gonna be on 10th. But the site warns: “Even during the off season of Gay Pride, Sao Paulo is always out and about.”
Here are some clubs and places totally gay or in the friendly GLS atmosphere:
THE WEEK
This is the most famous gay club in city, with offices also in Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis (State of Santa Catarina). It usually get about 2.500 people a weekend in a space of 3.200 square meters. The main hall, flooded with light beams, shakes with the sound of beats of house, tribal and progressive, while the other floor, full of colored squares, rock bands make the party. There’s also a large outdoor area, adorned by a pool, for those who are eager to get some fresh air.
Rua Guaicurus, 324, Lapa
D.EDGE
D-edge, a sophisticated GLS club
Elected the 9th best club in the world, is active since 2003 in Sao Paulo, a period during which it became a staple in the city’s nightlife and a global stronghold for quality music. It holds a glorious background of over 1000 international names playing at its booth throughout its existence. Besides, the design of the club is very sophisticated and trendy, which makes it be also called “black box of sound and light”.
Alameda Olga, 170 – Barra Funda
A LÔCA
One of the most underground and traditional clubs in São Paulo, A Lôca has 15 years and is located in a area full of bars, clubs, restaurants, movie theaters and many people on the streets all night long. Its the Augusta Street region, a very GLS area – for all the tastes and pockets. At A Lôca, disco, house, yechno, rock and pop music animate the regulars – a style for each day of the week -, in an atmosphere of friendship and flirting.
Rua Frei Caneca 916, Cerqueira César
VEGAS
One of the most famous points at Street Augusta area, Vegas is a friendly club for all the people and the music goes from electronics to rock and black music, depending on the day. The place there’s a decoration inspired in Las Vegas casinos and when the club is too busy, they open another dance floor downstairs and an opened area.
Rua Augusta, 765, Consolação
BUBU LOUNGE DISCO
With a lounge and two spaces to dance, Bubu is always crowded. A team of DJs play electronic, flashbacks and brazilian music. The club also have drag queens’ performances on Sundays and usually some guys of the public takes their shirt to show the muscled bodys. On the last Thursday of each month, the club opens space for the project Bubu Only for Girls.
Rua dos Pinheiros, 791, Pinheiros
CANTHO
This GLS nightclub makes the party with flashbacks of the 70 to 90 and current hits. Located in the central region, Cantho usually accommodate older men, in the age of 40, but the youngers are welcomed too. Thirteen mirrored globes hang from the ceiling of the crowded runway illuminated by lasers. A mezzanine is open on Friday and Saturday. Monthly, on the third Sunday of the month, roll the Energy, an after hours of 7am to 4pm.
Largo do Arouche, 32, Centro
