For a night of great live samba music, delicious caipirinhas, dancing, and mingling with locals and other visitors, head to Carioca da Gema. This lovely small venue in a beautifully restored historic building in Lapa offers live Brazilian music seven days a week. The music usually starts around 9pm (give or take a few Carioca minutes). From Wednesday–Saturday there is usually a second band starting between 11pm and 11:30pm, playing well into the early hours. To snag a table, arrive unfashionably early (before 10pm) or call ahead to reserve. Otherwise, join the crowd on the dance floor and practice your samba moves.