Clubbing in Rio at Discoteca Help

So it’s Friday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  A city of ~10 million people.  What’s a guy to do?  I guess it’s time to get our groove on up in Club Help, one of the largest clubs in all of South America!

For a guy that’s lived in Las Vegas for the past 8 years, it’s hard to impress me in the night club department.  With that said, Rio’s Help is a great club.  It costs $28 Reals ($15 USD) to get in and on the outside looks fairly tame.  It starts to get exciting once you walk up a flight of stairs to the main room and see the gigantic circular dance floor with people standing all around. 

The music is fresh with up to date electronic and hip-hop music from both North and South America blasting through a great set of speakers.  Most all of the men inside are tourists and most all of the girls inside are there to “party” with them.  In Brazil the laws and culture are much different than in “oppressive” countries like the United States.  Many of the girls come from poorer cities to earn a living in the “oldest profession” on the earth, but let’s not stray from the subject at hand. 

The club itself has a second floor where couples can sit and overlook the massive dance floor.  Drinks are served from skilled bartenders using a coupon based system.  After buying a coupon at one of three booths, you present it to the bartender for a drink of your choice.

Looking out at the dance floor, a green and blue laser light show really enhances the experience.  In addition, they have a smoke/fog machine and high intensity strobe lights that are in tune with the music beat.  It’s always awesome to see great visuals coupled with great music.  Many of the dancers at club help know how to lay it down, and that adds to the fun.

The club really starts moving after 1 AM or so.  A large influx of people can be seen on Friday and Saturday nights but this place is actually hoping 7 days a week! 

Sadly, the local newspaper reports that the world famous Help Discoteca is being shut down this month.  It’s going to be replaced with a museum for tourists to visit.  I’m proud to have seen it in its final days of full glory; it’s been my Brazilian highlight so far.