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VENUES
VENUES
FOR COCKTAILS AND DINNERS
Atmosphere
and surroundings are the keys to a successful evening. The city of Rio
de Janeiro with its natural beauty and tropical climate offers a host of
different venues in unusual settings allowing you to provide that
special touch for your guests. Some of these unusual venues are listed
below all of which will ensure that your guests has an evening to
remember.
Iate
Clube do Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1920, it is the
largest club of its kind in South America and one of the most
traditional clubs in Rio. Its most beautiful and inciting area, located
around the Olympic-size pool, sits up to 1,500 guests. Reserved
exclusively for your guests, it is the perfect setting for a tropical
Gala Dinner evening with show etc. Its waterfall and fountains, exotic
flowers and fire torches will create thee magical ambiance. Cocktails
will be served amidst 98 coconut trees against the dazzling view of the
Guanabara Bay, with its myriad sailboats, beautiful beaches and unique
Sugar Loaf rock. The colors and flavors of the Club's famous buffet,
featuring a variety of more than 20 dishes, will invite you to taste
some of the typical Brazilian specialties; like Vatapá. The party will
continue into the night as the orchestra takes you to the dance floor
with irresistible Brazilian beats and music. This atmosphere, which
combines a sophisticated and tropical venue with the Carioca joyful
spirit, is only possible in Rio de Janeiro. (Capacity; 1,500 pax).
Museu
Histórico Nacional
One of Rio's most prestigious site for a gala dinner is the national
History Museum. The Museum consists of an ensemble of colonial buildings
located across the port in downtown area. Dating from the early 1700's
and having recently undergone extensive restoration, the museum provides
a distinctive setting for a fascinating journey through four centuries
of Brazil's history.
As
guests arrive, they are greeted by smiling hosts(ess) in colonial dress
who take them through the courtyard and along flagstone paths into the
Cannon Terrace. There, an impressive display of antique guns and cannons
is set amidst ornate fountains and torches. While guests enjoy cocktails
and hors d'oeuvres a violin trio plays soft background music, completing
the already romantic atmosphere. En route to dinner, guests are invited
to visit the museum's permanent exhibit, which illustrates various
aspects of colonial life. The exhibit includes gold, silver and
porcelain objects brought by the Portuguese court, original maps,
imperial carriages and relies from the sugar mills and coffee
plantations. Our high-standard caterers then serve an elegant dinner on
the verandas surrounding the main courtyard. The table are set with
floor-length tablecloths, antique candelabra and fresh flowers, creating
the perfect ambiance for a colonial banquet. The dance floor is opened
after dinner, inviting each guest to travel back in time to a majestic
ball in Imperial Brasil. (Capacity; 450 pax).
Fortaleza
de Santa Cruz
General Villegagnon constructed the Fortress of Santa Cruz, in 1555. It
was used to protect the village against pirate attacks during 1580 to
1711. The last cannon blast was heard in 1955 against the destroyer
Tamandaré. Located at the Niteroi side of the Guanabara Bay the
fortress has one of the most privileged locations in Rio de Janeiro. The
view is spectacular to the Sugar Loaf, the São João Fort just a mile
away and Rio de Janeiro in its entire splendor. Upon arrival, your
guests are led into the 17th century chapel. There the group will be
received by smiling hostess dressed in colonial style dresses and shown
to the main courtyard where cocktails are served. Our special
illumination makes the fortress come alive and architectonic details
stand out. The Gala Dinner can be French style or Buffet Style as you
like, with lots of crystal and silverware tastefully arranged on tables
with long tablecloths, candelabra and fresh flower arrangements. Dinner
is served to the soft music from a violin quartet. (Capacity in main
room; 180 pax. In courtyard; 2.000 pax.)
Marina
da Barra
Barra da Tijuca is the newest suburb of Rio. It is conveniently located
just 6 minutes past the São Conrado hotel area and only 20 minutes from
Ipanema. The scenery in Barra is magnificent; The 12 mile long white
sand beach slopes down on one side to the ocean and on the other to
Jacarepaguá lagoon, which is a wildlife preserve, surrounded by
mountains. Film crews, to simulate Amazon waterways, often use the
setting. In the midst of this exotic scenery, on an island separated
from the mainland by a short bridge, is a private club called Marina
Barra Clube. The swimming pool area is surrounded by modern sculptures
and an impressive fountain/reflecting pool with living sculptures made
of tropical plants. The reflecting pool is graced with suspended wooden
walkways that take guests on a meandering path through the fountains and
gardens. The swimming pool itself is located at the edge of the island
right on the lagoon. The setting is just perfect for cocktail parties.
Just above the pool area is the grand ballroom of the club. It is a
tastefully simple banquet room, glass-enclosed and framed in rugged
hardwood. It offers views of the pool area and the surrounding lagoon
and mountains. With skillful decoration, the room comes alive, and is a
grand location for dinners with dancing and entertainment. (Capacity;
400 pax)
At
the far end of the island there is a sports area with a soccer field
which can be used for an unusual São João (St. John's Day) Festival.
(See description in the Theme Parties section).
Villa
Riso
In the São Conrado district, up in the hills overlooking the sea, is a
colonial home which was the seat of a plantation. The house is set in a
densely forested preserve, with a rolling lawn at the entrance. The
mansion has been restored to its former splendor, and houses an art
gallery where contemporary Brazilian artists exhibit their work. The
many different spaces within the mansion complex lend themselves to
handling different sized groups. The balconies on the colonial facade
suggest troubadours to serenade the group upon arrival. This arrival
area is ideal for cocktail receptions as a prelude to dinner. The
colonial ambiance suggests folklore shows and regional cuisine banquets.
Inside the mansion, smaller groups can be accommodated for cocktails or
dinner. Out-side, a large, air-conditioned banquet room holds up to 400
pax.
Costa
Brava Clube
Leaning over the incomparable coast of Rio de Janeiro, COSTA BRAVA CLUBE
is a constant invitation to the life and charm of the most beautiful
city in the world. Its veranda and saloons opens themselves generously
to the exuberant views, at minimum details, in perfect harmony with
nature. Located on "Alto do Joá", between the São Conrado
and Barra da Tijuca beaches, in an exclusive and privileged spot, the
Costa Brave Club offers an incomparable view and the most modern and
complete groundwork; including swimming pool, bars and restaurants with
refined international cuisine's. (Capacity; 40 - 500 pax). Obs: Own
helicopter - heliport, next to the swimming pool area.
Le
Buffet
In Rio Comprido district, just past the Rebouças tunnel, set on the
hillsides of a quit, residential district, is the le Buffet banquet
complex. The original mansion is conserved with its gardens, a gazebo,
and elegant salons full of antiques, parquet floors, and crystal
chandeliers. This area is ideal for a cocktail reception. Just beyond
the original mansion, there are two modern expansions, which offer ample
dining facilities for groups. Here is the place for dancing and shows
during dinner. The entire setting is so cozy that even a large group
will feel that they are being entertained in a host's home, and not a
commercial establishment. (Capacity; 500 pax).
Caiçaras
Club
A private membership club built on a small island in Rodrigo de Freitas
Lagoon in Ipanema district provides another unusual setting for cocktail
parties and dinner. Entry to the island is by rope-pulled gondolas. Once
ashore, guests will marvel at the sight of night on the Lagoon - the
lights that ring the black velvet waters, the silhouetted mountains that
surround the area, and the rightly-lit statue of Christ the Redeemer
looking down from Corcovado peak. Cocktails can be served in the
outdoors foyer, and dinner inside the clubhouse. Capacity; 400 pax).
Sol
e Mar
The Sol e Mar restaurant provides an ideal lunch or dinner venue after a
visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain or a Sunset Cruise, because of its peer,
landing area. The restaurant specializes in fish dishes, but other menus
including beef and chicken can be provided. Situated directly
overlooking Guanabara Bay, the view particularly at night is enchanting.
The terrace area provides for open air dining, particularly popular
during the warm evenings. On first floor, Sol e Mar offers a perfect
air-conditioned ballroom with sound system and microphone for speeches
etc. Round tables which sits up to 8 people per table with a total
sitting capacity of 400 pax, and still leaving space for a stage for
Carnival show etc.
Os
Esquilos
Located in the heart of the Tijuca Rain Forest is the Os Esquilos
restaurant. The restaurant is ideal for smaller groups of 60-70 persons
and is suitable as a lunch or dinner venue. The garden area secluded by
a hedge is perfect for cocktail party, to the quiet sound of a violin
quartet, from the natural stage cut into the hedge.
Other
venues worth mention, would be Mansão Ferraz, Vila Cabral and Casa das
Canoas. (Info on request!)
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