Worlds away from the samba houses of Lapa and the gritty clubs of Copacabana is Lagoa's Miroir, a club bringing a touch of Vegas dazzle to the Rio club scene. Confidently stepping into the posh hot-spot role once filled by the exclusive Baronneti, Miroir has become the go-to after dark playground of the rich and the famous since its opening in 2012. Owned in part by Paulista actor Luciano Szafir, the sophisticated club is set across two floors, one with a small dance floor and another with a giant VIP section, as well as a smoking balcony overlooking the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The velvet-lined walls and mirror-covered columns would be equally at home in Vegas or New York's Meatpacking District. 

Both the drinks and the entrance (up to R$200 for the men) come at a premium, but every night Miroir pulsates to a purely electronic soundtrack served up by some of the biggest Rio-based DJs, including Rafael Nazareth, Carol Legally and Junior Campos, playing their tunes on a giant, see-through touchscreen. The mainstream house hits are all well covered, while the visual accompaniment is up to beautiful go-go dancers with futuristic glow-in-the-dark costumes and frighteningly flexible circus performers. 

The club caters to a bevy of well-off cariocas who dress to impress, so ditch the flip flops and the shorts and arrive early to avoid the biggest queues. Mini skirts and sky-high heels might be de rigueur for most of the ladies who frequent this spot, but comfortable flats are a more appropriate choice as the beats can't stop, won't stop until 6 am.