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Guanabara - review by ben1982

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:02:40 +0000

Guanabara - review by ben1982

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Live drums, samba, capoeira and table football are all good things, as are the happy hour caipirinhas - some of the best in london (and significantly cheaper). Set in a modern block reminiscent of a conference centre though makes the atmosphere a little sterile, preventing what could be a winning formula.

Guanabara - review by Rhydster

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:22:14 +0000

Guanabara - review by Rhydster

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: lively, good value

Guanabara, named after a Brazilian river that's actually quite dirty, is fortunately more stylish.

The good: they regularly have a live Brazilian band and Brazilian dancers, which makes it more entertaining than a regular bar. Everyone is encouraged to dance on the invitingly situated central dancefloor, to range of Brazilian and latin beats, with a huge screen in the background showing most of Brazil's greatest stars.

It's free entry before 9pm, but try to get there even earlier to avoid a queue. The doormen are friendly and the staff inside take the Brazilian attitude to smile. Nicely decorated with many Brazilian dedications and a good number of lounge areas to relax around the dancefloor. They serve food as well.

The bad: cant think of any

Guanabara - review by lenalouise

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:56:31 +0000

Guanabara - review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: brazilian, salsa, cocktails, crowded, lively

I'd heard about this place from various people in the past and was intrigued as it sounded like fun. I met a date at covent garden with no plans on where to go. We were handed flyers for Guanabara with promises of a free drink so off we went.

We weren't impressed with our first impressions of the exterior but gave it a chance and wandered in. It felt like it used to be a cinema or a theatre so it was kinda weird in that way. When you get through the double doors to the main room, the atmosphere was such a big difference though! The music was blaring, there was a group of people dancing, having fun. It was great!

We made our way to the bar to claim our drinks. I ended up with a Mojito (one of my favs)so I was happy. It was kind of surreal walking into a bar like that sober when it's all in full flow but it's always nice to see people enjoying themselves, especially as it was people of all ages.

We didn't stay for very long, I think we were both secretly scared that we'd be spontaneously pulled onto the dancefloor! Tee hee. I didn't get a chance to sample the food but the menu looks interesting so maybe next time.

Guanabara - review by sls

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:24:28 +0000

Guanabara - review by sls

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: cool, mature, reasonably priced, friendly

I went to Guanabara while on vacation from New York and it rivals the bars/restaurants in Manhattan. The crowd was laid back, the music infectious, and the drinks will blow your mind! To top off the experience, the authentic Brazilian fare is a must. Would definitely return here on my next trip to the UK.

Guanabara - review by lululondres

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:36:04 +0000

Guanabara - review by lululondres

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: live music, reasonably priced, sexy, friendly, dance, cool

There's no place like this outside of Brasil London is bloody cold but the warmth of the English here helps where my layers do not.
The food is good I was told the chef when I asked was from the Copocabana Palace the music amazing the caipirinhas as good as Sao Paulo's Unique hotel.
It gets busy at the weekend my favourite night is Sunday with the duelling accordians twisting the forro dancers in very fast circles.
But why is there no dress code, guest list or VIP area so I get treated like everyone else even though back home they'd let me straight inside. Maybe that's why everyone is so friendly when I do get in.
I go back a lot because it feels like my second home.

Guanabara - review by tupinambah

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:42:47 +0000

Guanabara - review by tupinambah

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

It is too busy and expensive drinks but it has a good selection (of drinks), music and decent food. It is also very central (next to Holborn and Covent Garden). It is a common meeting point for the expat community of Brazilians living in London

Guanabara - review by flashboy

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:59:30 +0000

Guanabara - review by flashboy

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

A nice funky place, especially if you get there earlier in the evening when it's less crowded and more relaxed. The happy hour cocktails are good value - they're tasty, although cocktail buffs might not appreciate the quality of the mixing, which is pretty crude. Downside is that it gets rammed very quickly, and that it's yet another place where they turn up the music far too early in the evening, cutting short any conversation you were having. But still, in the early evening it's a nice place for the post-work wind-down; later on, a very decent Latin American club.

Guanabara - review by qwghlm

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:44:42 +0000

Guanabara - review by qwghlm

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Gets very crowded these days but always great fun especially when live music is playing. Always good for cocktails and even the random Brazilian beers aren't half bad either. Weekends it can get a bit insane in terms of overcrowding, but on weekdays it's much more enjoyable.

Guanabara - review by sarah73076

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:08:11 +0000

Guanabara - review by sarah73076

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Can you say happy hour? Half price cocktails from 5-7pm on Fridays make it an excellent place to go after work. The mojitos are the best I've ever had, also the caipirinhas are great (and I normally don't like any mixed drinks!). The dance floor is surrounded by big picnic style tables which you can reserve. Tends to be crowded on Friday nights, not sure what it's like on other days. The bar food is a bit on the expensive side, but very tasty Brazilian nibbles.

Guanabara - review by katy

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:28:09 +0000

Guanabara - review by katy

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: cool, Good Energy, reasonably priced, good value, friendly, lively, brazilian

If you like samba, Brazil and meeting people on the dance floor then this is the place to go, live samba and DJ's that play music that you can not help but dance to, it is not takie and you go home (eventually) with a big smile on your face. This friday there is some special events

Guanabara - review by Ladis19

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:52:38 +0000

Guanabara - review by Ladis19

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: cool, live music Samba, free to get in, reasonably priced, sexy, trendy, friendly, dance

Guanabara is a cool place to spend a Friday night. I took the advice of Trusted Places reviews and got there early. As others have mentioned, get there before 8.30pm because it gets VERY busy. If you manage to get there before 7pm, you'll be able to take advantage of the Happy Hour, which counts a lot when cocktails start at £5.50. Food is very nice, specially those mixed combo plates with cheese breads&. Yum!!

Samba, live band, live bongo performance, loads of great Brazilian dancers, Great atmosphere, gorgeous people. Quite simply a fabulous night out. God what I'd give to know how to dance like those people! I swear they must have an extra muscle somewhere

Guanabara - review by Buraco

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:22:15 +0000

Guanabara - review by Buraco

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

At one time the hottest night-spot in London, when it first opened it was like a breath of fresh air. Went rapidly downhill due to being a victim of its own success. I need to take another look to see how it is these days, but my hopes are not high.

Guanabara - review by lori4

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 08:58:58 +0000

Guanabara - review by lori4

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: brazilian, good value, crowded, friendly, lively

This is a good place if you love all things Brazilian - music, food (cheesebreads are my favourite!), football and people ... Latin music on Sundays. and samba on Fridays and Saturdays. I go to samba classes on Mondays - they are free, fun, a great way to start the week (much better than going and exercising in the gym!), and meet Brazilian people ...

Guanabara - review by walid

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 13:53:07 +0000

Guanabara - review by walid

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: crowded, small dance floor, good cocktails, nice decor

I have to admit that I used to love Guanabara when it first started. It had great music, live bands, capoeira, cocktails, and a nice decor. What I loved the most about it was the atmosphere generated by a crowd composed mainly of South Americans. They brought life and a soul to this place. It was so easy and so fun to dance with pretty much anyone.

Unfortunately now the South Americans are in a minority, and the atmosphere isn't the same. People are less friendly, less approachable and it feels as though it has become as one of those places who pretends to be for South Americans just without them. In addition you have to get there very early as the crowds are huge on Friday and Saturday nights. If you really want to go there, be there no later than 21:00. If you like South American places you should go to Favela Chic instead, as it is great!

Guanabara - review by walid

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:29:54 +0000

Guanabara - review by walid

Rating: 3.7

Location: Parker Street, WC2B 5PW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7242 8600

Website: http://www.guanabara.co.uk

Tags: crowded, small dance floor, good cocktails, nice decor