Located at the corner of São Paulo's most famous intersection – Avenidas São João and Ipiranga, immortalised in the Caetano Veloso song 'Sampa' – Bar Brahma is a São Paulo institution for its line-up of live samba, MPB, choro, and jazz.

This musical institution’s interior, with its dark wood furniture, antique china cabinets and upholstered seats, has a somewhat faded charm, with fenced-off outdoor seating if the weather calls for a glass of cold chope (draft beer) in the fresh air. The place can be a bit touristy, with overpriced food and drinks, but the ambience is fun and the music's first-rate.

On Saturday nights, for a more intimate setting, check out Brahminha, a cosy space connected to Bar Brahma, though with its own street entrance at Avenida Ipiranga 787.