SubAstor
SubAstor is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden beneath a hot dog shop, accessible through an unmarked door at the back of the storefront. The entrance gimmick is well-known at this point, but it still creates a satisfying transition: you walk through a casual hot dog joint, push through an inconspicuous door, and descend into a dimly lit bar with leather banquettes, dark wood, and a bartender in a vest working behind a polished counter. The cocktail menu changes seasonally and features original creations that the bar team develops in-house. Classic cocktails are also available and prepared with precision. The ingredients are fresh, the spirits selection is deep (including a notable cachaca collection), and the bartenders are serious about their craft. Capacity is around 50 people, and on weekend evenings the room fills completely. Reservations are not officially taken for walk-ins, but arriving before 9 PM on a Friday gives the best chance of a seat. The atmosphere is intimate and conversation-friendly, with music kept at background level. The crowd is well-dressed, predominantly in their late 20s to 40s, and comes specifically for the cocktails.
Where to stay near SubAstor
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A hidden cocktail bar beneath a hot dog shop, with serious mixology, dim lighting, and an intimate atmosphere. The transition from hot dog joint to speakeasy is half the fun.
Intimate, sophisticated, and focused on the drinks. The small room and dim lighting create a world apart from the street above.
Jazz, soul, and lounge at background volume
Smart casual to upscale. The crowd takes their appearance as seriously as their drinks.
Cocktail enthusiasts, couples on date night, and visitors who appreciate craft bartending in an intimate setting
Cash and cards accepted. International cards work.
Price Range
Cocktails 35-55 BRL, beer 20 BRL, whiskey neat from 30 BRL, snacks 20-35 BRL
Cocktails ~$7-11/~6.30-10 EUR, beer ~$4/~3.60 EUR
Hours
18:00-01:30 Mon-Wed, 18:00-02:30 Thu-Sat, closed Sun
Insider Tip
Arrive before 9 PM on weekends for the best chance at a seat. Ask the bartender for a recommendation based on your spirit preference; they enjoy the challenge. The hot dog shop upstairs is genuinely good if you need food.
Full Review
SubAstor has been a fixture of Sao Paulo's cocktail scene long enough that the speakeasy entrance is no longer a secret. Everyone knows about the hot dog shop, the hidden door, and the bar below. But the cocktails are good enough that the gimmick does not need to carry the experience.
The room is small and carefully designed. Dark wood, leather seating, warm lighting, and a bar counter that serves as the focal point. The bartenders work with visible precision, measuring, stirring, and presenting drinks with the care of people who consider this a craft rather than a job.
The seasonal menu is where SubAstor distinguishes itself. The bar team creates original cocktails that use Brazilian ingredients in unexpected ways: cachaca infused with native fruits, spirits combined with regional spices, and presentations that are elegant without being fussy. The classics are also impeccably made; an old fashioned or a negroni here is a benchmark.
The cachaca selection deserves special mention. SubAstor stocks artisanal cachacas from across Brazil, including aged varieties that rival good whiskey in complexity. If you are curious about cachaca beyond the caipirinha, this is the place to explore it. Ask the bartender for a tasting recommendation.
The hot dog shop upstairs is not just a front. The hot dogs are made with quality sausages and creative toppings, and many visitors eat upstairs before descending to the bar. The combination works surprisingly well as a complete evening: casual food followed by serious drinks.
Capacity is the main limitation. Fifty people fills the room, and on Friday and Saturday evenings it is standing room only by 10 PM. There is no reservation system for the bar (the restaurant upstairs takes reservations separately), so timing is everything. Arriving at 8 PM on a weekend guarantees a seat. Arriving at 10 PM guarantees standing.
The location puts SubAstor in the middle of the Vila Olimpia and Itaim Bibi restaurant and bar scene. It works as a second stop after dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, or as a standalone destination for cocktail enthusiasts.
The Neighborhood
Located beneath a hot dog shop on a street near the Vila Olimpia and Itaim Bibi border. Restaurants, bars, and other nightlife options are within walking distance.
Getting There
Uber from Paulista or Jardins takes 15-20 minutes. Vila Olimpia metro station (Line 9) is a 10-minute walk.
Address
Alameda Lorena, 1403
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