From laid-back jazz clubs to full-on techno mayhem, Sao Paulo has it all. It's one of the few cities that can truly live up to the "24-hour-city" label. No one even thinks about going out much before midnight, and many bars and clubs will keep serving until the last customer finally throws in the towel and crawls home to bed long after sunrise.
The swinging Vila Madalena district is the place to be at night. With a distinctly bohemian atmosphere, this neighborhood is packed with enough restaurants, clubs and bars to keep you entertained for at least a week. For more sophisticated but equally eclectic nightlife, you could head to the Jardins district behind Avenida Paulista, which is also home to a lively gay scene. Farther south, the Vila Olimpia district is home to a growing number of bars and dance clubs.
Instead of charging an entrance fee, many bars and clubs use a consumacao system in which you have a card with a preset minimum tab that you pay at the end of the night. Be aware that even if you have just a mineral water, you could still get a hefty bill. Some places also charge an "artistic" cover, which is an additional fee of R$10-$20 that in principle pays for the cost of the band. Ask before entering if you have doubts; often you can avoid the surcharge.
Many dance clubs use a multitiered pricing system based on the time you arrive, the day of the week, the type of programming and whether you're a house VIP. If you're thinking about attending one of these clubs, be forwarned: there is no bargaining.
