Vila Madá
Vila Madalena is one of the most exciting neighborhoods of São Paulo; one of the few places in town where you can have fun during the day and also in the evening.
It’s a great option for those who want to avoid the, most times, chaotic traffic and way too crowded places in Vila Olímpia (during the night, that is). Especially if you’re not “young”, since the age-range of most nightclubs in Vila Olímpia is of 18-22.
A traditional bohemian neighborhood, “Vila Madá” has some… exotic street names, varying from a Spanish Priest from the XV century (Aspicuelta) to a sunflower like “Girassol” and even “Harmonia” (Harmony) and “Purpurina” (Glitter).
You can find all kinds of pubs, bars (“botecos”) and nightclubs there. Starting from the typically “black music” nightclub Blen Blen (on Saturdays), to Salve Jorge (a bar-restaurant, and good for those also called Jorge, you get a discount!). Posto 6 and Zé Menino are other good bars as well and from the same owner of Salve Jorge.
But if you want to stay away from the night scene (but I tell you, it’s one of the best), you have many other options: “Livraria da Vila”, a bookstore, pick a book and read it while having a coffee; look for some really good secondhand shops around the neighboord and don’t miss the market at Praça Benedito Calixto on Saturdays, thee you can find all kinds of antiques, collections and rarities; it’s great if you go during the morning, take a look around (I don’t think you can resist and will end up buying something) and then have lunch around there, go back home/to the hotel, have a rest and go back to Madá by night, the options are almost endless.
