Theme bars are conspicuous by their absence in Rio, so it was a bold move from the owners of Favellas to try and recreate the shanty feel of some of the city's poorer regions on the ever-smartening Mem de Sá street. The concept is as bizarre as the execution, with tyres, bad wiring and graffiti apparently the easiest ways to conjure up an authentic 'favela' vibe, but the intentions are honourable, borne from the idea that the hillside communities represent vibrancy, humour and lots and lots of samba.