São Paulo is one of the oldest cities in the country and its history is told in many different ways, whether through the monuments or gastronomy. That’s why talking about the oldest bars in São Paulo is also about shaping São Paulo’s identity.
After all, there’s nothing more São Paulo than a happy hour on Fridays, isn’t there? The tradition is so strong that some establishments have been in business for over 70 years! That’s why we’ve selected the oldest bars in SP for you to visit, if you haven’t already!
Ponto Chic
Ponto Chic is one of São Paulo’s most traditional bars, with almost 100 years of existence and history. In addition, its inauguration in Largo do Paissandu coincided with the Modern Art Week. Intellectuals, artists and modernists soon adopted the bar as their stronghold.
Students from the Largo São Francisco Law School also became regulars. One of his most illustrious students, Casimiro Pinto Neto, known as Bauru because he was from the city, was responsible for inventing the sandwich that bears his name and is one of the city’s signature snacks.
Mané’s Bar
Bar do Mané is part of the history of São Paulo’s Municipal Market. Their joint inauguration on January 25, 1933, marked the city’s anniversary that year.
To this day, the business remains in the hands of the family of one of the bar’s founders, who was responsible for creating one of São Paulo’s best-known sandwiches, the mortadela sandwich.
📌 Rua da Cantareira, Rua E, 306 – Box 14 – Centro Histórico de São Paulo
Bar Léo
Bar Léo is one of the oldest bars in SP and also one of the most traditional in the city. Also opened in 1940, is known for its draft beer, which is considered to be one of the best in the capital.
📌Rua Aurora, 100 – República
📌Aspicuelta Street, 578 – Vila Madalena
Vito’s Bar
Vila Zelina is a neighborhood in the East Zone that was home to Lithuania’s first immigrants in the 1930s. For this reason, it boasts a curious and genuine pub full of references to that former Soviet republic. Founded by the Lithuanian immigrant Vitautas Tunnelis, Vito, in 1942, the bar of the same name offers typical snacks and beers imported from the country.
📌Avenida Zelina, 851 – Vila Prudente
Famous Bar do Justo
The famous Bar do Justo has been a meeting place in the north of the city since 1949. Whether to enjoy happy hour or watching the soccer matches, the place is always full and lively. In addition, according to the owners, the name came about because the first owner, Mr. Juraci, would always say when handing over the change: “You can check that it’s fair.”
📌Rua Alferes Magalhães, 25/29 – Santana
Elidio Bar
Did you know that Elidio Bar was the first to serve hors d’oeuvres over the counter? To whet the appetite of its loyal clientele, the bar offers more than 100 types of appetizers! The house also boasts several autographed team jerseys. That’s because Seu Elidio, the bar’s founder, had a passion for soccer.
📌Rua Isabel Dias, 57 – Mooca