As part of our continuing Global Nightlife Trends series, we spoke with Lilian Varella, manager at Drosophyla in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Drosophyla, named one of the top 10 most popular bars in Brazil by Yahoo!, is a welcome respite from the surrounding metropolis where regulars and tourists come to take in Sao Paulo culture and ambience.
Tell us about your bar? How would you describe it?
It’s a very beautiful bar, in contemporary baroque style, offering a mix of Brazil and the world. A place to talk, to listen to music… Low lights, long sofas. There’s no name on the door - but Drosophyla is a place to be and to feed on the local atmosphere. There is also an oriental garden in the back.
The inside of the bar might be considered a bit of sensory overload: funky bathrooms, stuffed animal heads, aquariums filled with cell phones, portraits of the Royal Family, Venetian, African and Asian masks, Cuzco art, colorful bottles from around the world, religious objects, crazy lighting….
Who visits?
Filmmakers, advertising people, fashion industry folk, actors, journalists, students, artists, bar owners and people who generally love life.
What trends are you seeing in nightlife in your city?
People and bar owners are moving towards smaller, more intimate places that treat guests with special attention and cater to their needs.
Any trends in drinking you’ve noticed at your bar recently?
Not much that new as of late… beyond the fever provoked by Carrie Bradshaw’s Cosmopolitans. Drinks with fresh fruit - those are always a hit. Beyond Brazilian fruits made into fabulous caipirinhas, I must mention lychee and sake drinks - those are going down very well.
Where is your bar? And what night would you recommend we visit?
Address; Rua Pedro Taques, 80, Consolacao, Sao Paulo, SP. Brazil. The busiest nights are in the weekend. For me, during the week is when the ‘professionals’ go drinking. Tuesday and Thursday are good nights to go out drinking at Drosophyla.
Thanks, Lilian!
