Choro was born in Rio de Janeiro during the second half of the 19th century, from the encounter between European dances, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, improvisation and a Rio form to perform polkas, waltzes, maxixes and other genres.
Despite the name, choro is not necessarily a song sad. The repertoire can be fast, cheerful, virtuoso, romantic or dancing. Flute, mandolin and cavaquinho lead melodies, while guitars and tambourine build the rhythmic and harmonic basis.
The circle is one of the most traditional environments of this music. The instrumentalists are organized close to each other, share repertoire, improvise and react musically to what happens at the moment. The public stands around, chat, accompany, ask for songs and, in some meetings, you can also participate.
The Rio has recurring wheels practically throughout the week. Some are free in squares; others happen in bars and restaurants with cover charge, admission or consumption.
Quick Answer: Where to Hear Choro in Rio
These are some of the most straightforward options according to the day and the type of experience.
Late afternoon at Bar do Serginho, in Santa Teresa.
Circle and show at Glorioso Cultural, in Catete.
Free meeting at Cozinha da Lapa.
Runs every other week, close to the beach.
Night at Garagem Bar, in Glória.
Traditional midday circle in Laranjeiras.
Free ride at Praça São Salvador.
Free morning at Praça Augusto Ruschi.
Crying wheels by day of the week
The table differentiates weekly, fortnightly, monthly wheels and variable schedules. Free entry does not exclude consumption at the bar or spontaneous contribution to musicians.
| Day | Wheel | Neighborhood | Usual opening hours | Periodicity | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second | Corner Cry | Santa Teresa | House opens at 5:30 pm; music until approximately 8pm | Weekly | Confirm consumption and contribution |
| Third | Batucada Cry | Catete | Home from 7pm; music around 8pm | Weekly | Ticket or cover |
| Tuesday or according to schedule | Beep Beep Wheel | Copacabana | Usually at night | Confirm week | Contribution and consumption |
| Fourth | Candinho Wheel | Lapa | From 7pm | Weekly | Free |
| Fifth | Xodó do Leme | Rudder | 7pm to 10pm | Fortnightly | Confirm with each edit |
| Friday | Nervous Crying | Glory | 7pm to 10pm | Weekly | Confirm cover charge and consumption |
| Saturday | Pixin-Bodega | Orange trees | From 12pm | Weekly | street wheel |
| Saturday | Bandão da Escola Portátil de Música | Urca | Morning, according to the school calendar | School calendar | Generally free |
| Sunday | Fix the Bandstand | Orange trees | 11am to 2pm | Weekly | Free |
| Sunday | Crying at Recess | Recreio dos Bandeirantes | 10am to 1pm | Weekly | Free |
| Sunday | Crying in the Town Hall | Center | 1pm to 4pm | Weekly | Cover charge |
| Third Sunday | 100% Suburban | Pottery | Around 12:30 p.m. | Monthly | Free |
Monday: Choro da Esquina in Santa Teresa
Corner Cry
Choro da Esquina occupies Bar do Serginho, near to Largo dos Guimarães, transforming Monday at a neighborhood musical gathering.
The house usually opens at 5:30 pm and the circle continues until approximately 8pm. The time allows you to listen to music without having to go through the night.
The repertoire includes classics and compositions known by musicians from the Rio scene. The space It's small, so arriving early helps to get there. place close to the wheel.
Bar do Serginho — Rua Dias de Barros, 2A, Santa Teresa
Consult Choro da EsquinaHow to get there
The bar is close to Largo dos Guimarães. Is it possible use the bus, taxi, app or tram Santa Teresa during the period of operation.
On your way back, check the last tram timetable and avoid depending on a single transport option.
Tuesday: Choro Batucada and Bip Bip programming
Batucada Cry
Choro Batucada maintains a weekly season on Glorious Cultural. The house usually opens at 7pm and the music starts around 8pm.
The format is similar to a round show, with musicians guests, worked repertoire and structure of cultural house.
The values change depending on the edition. In July 2026, the program announced advance tickets and prices regularly on the sales platform.
Glorioso Cultural — Rua do Catete, 97, Catete
Consult Choro BatucadaBeep Beep Wheel
Bip Bip is one of the best-known music bars from Rio, associated with samba, choro and bossa nova circles.
Recent guides point out crying traditionally in Tuesday nights, but the official profile also discloses presentations on other days. Therefore, do not treat Tuesday as a guarantee without checking the week.
Silence during music is part of the culture of the location. Loud conversations and interruptions are frowned upon.
Rua Almirante Gonçalves, 50 — Copacabana
Consult the Beep WheelWednesday: Roda do Candinho in Lapa
Candinho Wheel
Roda do Candinho takes place every Wednesday at Cozinha da Lapa, a cultural space located in Rua do Rezende.
The music starts around 7pm and brings together cries, guests and public interested in the repertoire Brazilian instrumental.
Entrance to the circle is free, but food, drinks and extra space activities follow own conditions.
Cozinha da Lapa — Rua do Rezende, 76, Lapa
Consult Lapa KitchenCombine with other cultural spaces
The location allows you to match the wheel to the Fundição Progresso, Circo Voador, Sala Cecília Meireles or other points in the Center and Lapa.
See the page of Rio night schedule to complete the script.
Thursday: Xodó do Leme and special wheels
Xodó do Leme
Xodó do Leme occupies the neighborhood with a choro circle focused on coexistence between residents, musicians and visitors.
The recent schedule indicates meetings on Thursdays alternating, normally from 7pm to 10pm.
As the periodicity is not weekly in every month, confirm the exact date in the project profile before to move.
Consult Xodó do LemeOther farm options
Itinerant projects, such as Choro da Esquina and Choro Nervoso, special editions can be made in bars and cultural centers on Thursdays.
These presentations should not be considered fixed without a publication corresponding to the date.
Friday: Nervous Crying in Glória
Nervous Crying at Garagem Bar
Choro Nervoso holds a Friday circle at Garagem Bar, close to the Glória neighborhood and Santa Teresa.
The bar opens in the late afternoon and the circle usually takes place from 7pm to 10pm, allowing you to start the weekend with Brazilian instrumental music.
The project also carries out editions at other addresses, but the sixth in Garagem is the recurring reference of this agenda.
Garagem Bar — Rua Benjamin Constant, 116, Glória
Consult Nervous CryingBefore or after the wheel
Glória is close to Lapa, Catete, Santa Teresa and Marina da Glória, facilitating the continuation of the tour of other neighborhoods.
Saturday: Praça do Choro in Laranjeiras
Pixin-Bodega in Praça do Choro
The Saturday circle on Rua General Glicério is one of the Laranjeiras' most well-known traditions. The music begins around noon and occupies the known area such as Praça do Choro.
The meeting brings together residents, musicians, families, visitors and people who enjoy the fair and the local commerce.
As it takes place outdoors, heavy rain can cause change or cancellation. Take sun protection and keep free passage on the sidewalks.
Rua General Glicério, 226 and surroundings — Laranjeiras
Consult Pixin-BodegaBandão da Escola Portátil de Música
The Portable School of Music maintains dedicated training crying and holds meetings and presentations of the Bandão during your schedule.
Activities usually take place on Saturday mornings, but they depend on the calendar of classes, recesses and special presentations.
Consult the Portable School of MusicAnother Saturday circle to follow
- Like Someone Who Wants Nothing: meeting in Santa Teresa, usually on Saturdays in the afternoon, with a fortnightly or variable schedule.
- Fairs and cultural centers: Casa do Choro, museums and public spaces can receive launches, tributes and special wheels.
Sunday: free wheels in the square, beach and suburbs
Sunday is the day with the greatest variety of recurring wheels. There are options in the morning, at lunchtime and in the afternoon.
Fix the Bandstand
Arruma o Bandstand occupies Praça São Salvador in Sunday mornings, typically from 11am to 2pm.
The wheel is one of the best known in the South Zone and brings together families, residents, children and regulars from the square fair.
Entry is free. Take protection from the sun and avoid blocking circulation between musicians and the public.
São Salvador Square — Laranjeiras
Consult Arruma o BandstandCrying at Recess
Choro no Recreio holds a circle in the mornings Sunday, generally from 10am to 1pm, at Praça Augusto Ruschi.
The meeting offers a free alternative to residents of Recreio, Barra and nearby neighborhoods, without needing to cross the city.
Augusto Ruschi Square — Recreio dos Bandeirantes
Consult Crying at RecreioCrying in the Town Hall
The Sobrado da Cidade restaurant welcomes people to cry Sundays, normally from 1pm to 4pm.
It's an option to combine lunch, architecture history and Brazilian music at the same address.
The establishment publishes an artistic cover charge, which value can be updated.
Rua do Rosário, 34 — Center
Consult the Town HallGroup 100% Suburban
The group promotes a monthly circle at Reduto Pixinguinha, at Praça Ramos Figueira, in Olaria.
The program usually takes place on the third Sunday of the month, around 12:30 pm, valuing the memory of choro and Pixinguinha’s relationship with the suburbs.
As it is monthly, confirm the date and any changes caused by holidays or weather conditions.
Praça Ramos Figueira — Olaria
Consult the 100% SuburbanOther Sunday Wheels
- Nervous Crying: can carry out editions in Mureta da Lapa and in other spaces. Consult the project schedule.
- Wheels at fairs and squares: neighborhoods in the North Zone and West Zone host meetings monthly or special dates without a fixed weekly calendar.
- House of Crying: the space can host concerts, circles, courses and tributes according to the monthly schedule.
How choro was born in Rio de Janeiro
Choro began to form in Rio during the 20th century. XIX, when Brazilian musicians began to perform polkas, waltzes, square dances and other European dances with rhythmic accentuation, improvisation and ways of playing associated with Afro-Brazilian culture.
Many of the first criers were employees audiences, urban workers and amateur musicians who met in homes, backyards, parties and bars. Music initially developed as a practice and way of playing before consolidating itself as a genre.
Joaquim Callado, Chiquinha Gonzaga, Ernesto Nazareth, Anacleto de Medeiros, Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, Waldir Azevedo and Altamiro Carrilho are among those fundamental names of different phases of this history.
In 2024, Iphan registered the cry in the Book of Forms of Expression, recognizing it as Heritage Cultural of Brazil.
What instruments form a choro circle
Flute
Conducts fast melodies, ornamentations and improvisations. It was central to the first formations of choro.
Mandolin
It has bright and articulate sound. Became one of instruments most associated with Brazilian circles.
Cavaquinho
Sets the rhythm, completes the harmony and can also take on solos.
Six string guitar
Builds chords, grooves and rhythmic responses to melodic instruments.
Seven string guitar
Creates bass lines, lows and movements that connect the chords.
Tambourine
Supports the wrist, adds balance and reacts to changes in wheel dynamics.
Clarinet and saxophone
Appear in different formations, expanding timbres and possibilities for improvisation.
Accordion and other instruments
The circle can accommodate accordion, trombone, trumpet, percussions and less traditional instruments.
Can I bring an instrument and participate in the circle?
Not every wheel is open. Some work as a one-man show fixed group; others welcome guest musicians or allow the entry of instrumentalists known by the ensemble.
Etiquette for musicians
- Watch a few songs before taking the instrument away.
- Ask one of the musicians or the person in charge of the circle.
- Do not occupy a chair without authorization.
- Choose repertoire compatible with the meeting.
- Avoid playing too loudly or covering solo instruments.
- Don't turn each song into an individual demo.
- Be aware of the tone and form before you begin.
- Respect the relay and the house musicians.
- Do not tune for a long time during a performance.
- Thank and put away the instrument when asked.
Open circle does not mean open microphone
- Participation depends on the dynamics created by the musicians.
- Some meetings require registration or an invitation.
- Circles in restaurants can be hired performances.
- Don't interrupt a song to ask for participation.
- To get started, look for courses, workshops and educational meetings.
Casa do Choro: research, classes and presentations
Casa do Choro occupies a historic building on Rua da Carioca and brings together school, collection, research, auditorium and artistic programming dedicated to the genre.
Space should not be treated as a fixed weekly wheel. Concerts, launches, meetings and educational activities follow their own agenda.
To watch
Consult the schedule of shows, tributes, releases and festivals.
To study
Check Portable School courses and activities of Music.
To search
The collection and institutional projects preserve scores, recordings and musical memory.
Address
Rua da Carioca, 38, Centro, close to the station Carioca from the subway.
Consult the official program of Casa do Choro before the visit.
Choro circles by region of Rio
Center and Lapa
Roda do Candinho, Casa do Choro, Sobrado da Cidade and editions of Choro Nervoso form the main central circuit.
Saint Teresa and Gloria
Choro da Esquina on Mondays and Choro Nervoso on Fridays allow you to listen to music in nearby neighborhoods.
Catete and Copacabana
Choro Batucada continues its season at Catete, while Bip Bip hosts musical programming in Copacabana.
Orange trees
Pixin-Bodega on Saturdays and Arruma o Bandstand on Sundays create a crying circuit throughout the weekend.
North Zone
The 100% Suburbano group holds a monthly meeting in Olaria, in addition to special wheels in Penha, Madureira and other neighborhoods.
West Zone
Choro no Recreio is the free weekly reference, with meetings on Sunday mornings.
Four itineraries to hear crying in Rio
Laranjeiras and Praça do Choro
- Arrive at General Glicério before noon.
- Visit the fair and shops in the neighborhood.
- Follow the Pixin-Bodega circle.
- Continue the tour through Guinle Park.
San Salvador Square
- Arrive around 10:30am.
- Discover the square fair.
- Watch Arruma o Coreto from 11am to 2pm.
- Have lunch in Laranjeiras or Flamengo.
Memory and music
- Visit the Casa do Choro.
- Walk along Rua da Carioca and Praça Tiradentes.
- Check out the Center’s cultural program.
- End with tears at Sobrado or Lapa.
Pixinguinha stronghold
- Confirm the third Sunday of the month.
- Go to Praça Ramos Figueira, in Olaria.
- Follow the group 100% Suburbano.
- Discover Pixinguinha’s relationship with the region.
Tips for enjoying a choro circle
Before leaving
- Confirm edit: check the official profile on the same day.
- Arrive at the start: street wheels can fill up quickly.
- Take cash and card: some bars or street vendors may only accept certain payments.
- Check the cover charge: free entry does not mean no consumption.
- Avoid talking loudly: respect solo and interpretation moments.
- Don't block the view: avoid standing in front of seated people.
- Ask for permission to film: especially in small environments.
- Protect yourself from the weather: Bring water, sunscreen or an umbrella.
- Plan transportation: confirm subway, bus, BRT and return times.
- Contribute: when there is a hat or spontaneous contribution, value the work of musicians.
Frequently asked questions about choro wheels in Rio
Where is the choro circle on Monday?
Choro da Esquina takes place at Bar do Serginho, in Santa Teresa, opening at around 5:30 pm.
Where there's crying on Tuesday
Choro Batucada maintains a weekly season on Glorioso Cultural, in Catete. Beep Beep too receives tears, but the day must be confirmed.
Which circle takes place on Wednesday
Roda do Candinho takes place on Wednesdays, from from 7pm, at Cozinha da Lapa, with free entry.
Where to hear crying on Friday
Nervous Crying usually happens on Fridays, from 7pm to 10pm, at Garagem Bar, in Glória.
Where is there free crying on Saturday
Pixin-Bodega holds a circle starting at 12 p.m. in Praça do Choro, on Rua General Glicério, in Laranjeiras.
Where is the choro circle on Sunday?
Arrange the Bandstand, Choro no Recreio, Sobrado da City and 100% Suburban are among the options. The last one happens monthly.
What is the best wheel to visit with children
Arrange the Bandstand, Pixin-Bodega and Choro no Recreio take place during the day and outdoors, being simpler options for families.
The choro circles are free
Many square circles are free. bars, restaurants and cultural establishments can charge entrance fee, cover charge or minimum consumption.
Can I play in a choro circle
Depends on the wheel. Ask the person in charge first to remove the instrument. Some are open; others function as a hired presentation.
What does crying mean
Choro is a genre and a way of playing music Brazilian instrumental developed in Rio during the 19th century. The name does not mean that all songs are sad.
When is National Crying Day
National Crying Day is celebrated in April 23, date related to birth from Pixinguinha.
Where to check the updated schedule
Consult official wheel profiles and search by choro events on the Cultural Agenda .