Carioca da Gema is pretty much a one-stop-shop for all your Lapa needs, a classy little diamond in the rough where the quality of live samba and chorinho need not be called into question; this is the real deal. Seven nights a week residents such as Ana Costa, Richcahs and Tempero Carioca keep the crowds singing and the dancefloor animated with impressively fleet-footed locals seizing every opportunity to whisk the girls into the mix. Upstairs in the perfectly-preserved house are two rather more relaxed bars and a fine pizza restaurant, as well as a little shop to pick up a souvenir of the night. The live shows usually begin at around 11pm.