Casa da Matriz
Casa da Matriz occupies a converted residential house in the Santa Teresa-adjacent blocks near Lapa, spread across multiple rooms on two floors with a courtyard in the middle. Each room has its own sound system and musical identity: the ground floor tends toward rock, indie, and MPB, while upstairs leans electronic, with house and techno DJs on the decks. The courtyard serves as a decompression zone with tables, a bar, and ambient lighting. The venue holds around 300 people at capacity, and on Saturday nights it reaches that limit by midnight. The decor is eclectic: mismatched furniture, art on the walls, and a general aesthetic that suggests a house party that got permanently out of hand. The crowd is young, creative, and predominantly Brazilian, with university students and Lapa regulars making up the majority. Cover charges are kept low, and the drink prices are reasonable by Rio standards. The bar serves draft beer, caipirinhas, and a few signature cocktails. The venue hosts regular themed nights, including rock parties, indie showcases, and electronic sessions, so the experience changes depending on when you visit.
Where to stay near Casa da Matriz
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A multi-room house party spread across a converted residence. Each room has different music, the courtyard is a social hub, and the crowd is young and creative.
Eclectic, creative, and energetic. It feels like the best house party you have ever been to, but every weekend.
Rock, indie, and MPB on the ground floor; house and techno upstairs; ambient in the courtyard
Casual. The crowd dresses creatively but no one checks at the door.
Young nightlife seekers who want variety in a single venue, indie music fans, and people who prefer a house-party atmosphere to a formal club
Cash and cards accepted. Consumption card system.
Price Range
Cover 20-40 BRL, draft beer 12 BRL, caipirinha 20-28 BRL, cocktails 25-35 BRL
Cover ~$4-8/~3.60-7.20 EUR, beer ~$2.50/~2.20 EUR
Hours
23:00-05:00 Thu-Sat
Insider Tip
Check the weekly schedule to see which room is playing what. The courtyard is the best spot for conversation. Arrive before midnight on Saturday for a shorter queue. The upstairs electronic room has the best sound system.
Full Review
Casa da Matriz gets the multi-room concept right in a way that many larger clubs attempt but fail to execute. The converted house format gives each space its own character, and the courtyard in the middle provides a natural meeting point where you can regroup, get a drink, and decide which room to visit next.
The ground-floor room is the anchor. Rock and indie acts, both live and DJ-driven, play to a crowd that sings along and pushes toward the front. The room is not large, maybe 80-person capacity, which means the energy is concentrated. The sound system is adequate for the size, and the low ceiling keeps the volume contained.
Upstairs is where the electronic music lives. The DJ booth overlooks a dance floor that is slightly larger than the ground floor, and the sound system has been upgraded to handle the bass-heavy programming. House and techno sets run until the venue closes, and this room tends to peak later than the rest of the venue.
The courtyard is the social center. Open to the sky, with tables and benches under string lights, it has the feel of a backyard gathering. People come here between rooms to talk, smoke, cool down, and meet other people. The bar here serves the same drinks as inside.
The crowd is predominantly in their 20s and early 30s. University students, young professionals, creative types, and a handful of visitors who found the venue through recommendations. The atmosphere is democratic; there is no VIP area, no bottle service, and no hierarchy based on how much you spend.
Cover charges are kept intentionally low (R$20-40), and drinks are priced below the average for a Lapa venue of this quality. This is a place that wants to be accessible, and it succeeds.
The one challenge is the queue. Saturday nights see a line forming by midnight, and the wait can stretch to 30 minutes at peak. Arriving before midnight avoids this.
The Neighborhood
Located in the blocks between Lapa and Santa Teresa, near the base of the hill. Rio Scenarium and Carioca da Gema are a 10-minute walk along Rua Mem de Sa.
Getting There
Uber from Copacabana costs R$25-40. Walk from the Arcos da Lapa in about 8 minutes uphill.
Address
Rua Henrique de Novaes, 107
Other Venues in Lapa
Rio Scenarium
Three-story samba club set inside a restored antique warehouse, filled with vintage decor and rotating live bands. One of Lapa's most recognized nightlife destinations, drawing both tourists and locals.
Carioca da Gema
Intimate samba and choro venue with nightly performances from well-known local musicians. The small dance floor fills fast, so arriving before 10 PM on weekends is a good idea.
Circo Voador
Open-air concert venue at the foot of the Arcos da Lapa that hosts Brazilian and international acts across genres. The space holds over a thousand people and runs a packed schedule from samba to electronic.
Fundição Progresso
Converted 19th-century iron foundry now operating as a large event space for concerts, DJ nights, and cultural festivals. The industrial interior gives it a raw, warehouse-party feel.
Lapa 40 Graus
Multi-room club spread across several floors with DJs playing funk carioca, forró, and samba on different stages. Cover charges are low and the crowd skews young and local.
Mangue Seco Cachaçaria
Cachaça-focused bar with an extensive list of artisanal spirits from across Brazil and reliable caipirinhas. The sidewalk tables spill onto the street on busy nights, typical of the Lapa bar scene.