Gafieira Elite certainly enjoyed a heyday shortly after it was built in 1930. Overlooking the Praça de Republica, such luminaries as ex-presidents Getúlio Vargas and Juscelino Kubitschek were known to have dropped in, as well as some legendary names in Brazilian music such as Madame Satã, Pixinguinha, Mario Lago, Cartola and Jamelão over the years. Fast forward to the present, and the crumbling elegance of this historical old house acts as a suitable backdrop for a young, alternative crowd, not to mention more contemporary Brazilian acts such as Novos Baianos, Mutantes, Chico Science and Nação Zumbi, all of whom have made an appearance during the seasonal weekend festivals here. Despite all that history, one remnant of its elitist past has been dropped, and the prices of entry and drinks are accessible to all with three bottles of beer available for R$10 at the bar.