We had no idea what we were in for, but a bunch of our new Brazilian pals suggested we rendezvous…read moreat Igrejinha for an early one. In a city where the usual going out time is, oh I dunno, like 12am, I was really pleased when I heard we'd be meeting around 8/9pm. So, note to those of you looking for a cool spot before you hit the discotheques, Igrejinha is perfect to get the mood (and cocktails) going.
First thought was: super cool ambiance. Igrejinha literally translates in "little church" and while I didn't quite feel like I was in a little church, I certainly felt like I was at a friend's really cool house party and I loved the layout -- the small bar in the main room, the little hallway that leads to a few steps that leads to a cozy dancefloor, and then behind that, a mini terrace where all the smokers congregated. This made it really easy to mix and mingle and meet people (of which we met many). The many people we met were varied. Lots of gay people (mostly men) and lots of alternative folks. This isn't a cheesy, techno thumping gay bar, so the gay guys here didn't walk around with glitter covered chests. Just the opposite, these were more the kinds of dudes I'd almost always welcome being around.
The cocktails were fantastic and when my friend recommended I get the best drink ever... and that the best drink ever is a long island iced tea... I got scared. Very, very concerned that I was heading quickly in the direction of a night I'd likely never forget. But instead, I tried her long island iced tea, and it tasted more like a fancy Brazilian version. Somehow, and I didn't know this was even possible, Igrejinha makes a mean, classed-up long island. The other drinks were great too and the bartender was super cool.
After drinking and chatting and watching other people smoke, I hit the dancefloor. It felt something like partying in the 90s -- kinda grungy, but definitely respectable. Will I be back? Yeah, totally.
