A happy haven of holiday fever isn't as far away as you think - as we were lucky enough to discover when we stumbled upon this zesty little slice of Brazil tucked just round the corner from Glasgow's stylish Merchant City.
Boteco do Brasil - a vibrant Brazilian paradise where the rum is never gone.
The Venue
Our visit to Boteco do Brasil plunged us straight into a colourful and exotic little hideaway. The bar made us feel instantly at home with its intimate layout while the mish mash of Brazilian flags and the brightly painted walls added a carnival essence, it was clear from the offset that Boteco had something a little different to offer. At the back of the room we found the restaurant area where groups of mates were indulging in some traditional Brazilian dishes and tapas in candle-lit booths and tables for four, while the surrounding walls brought us even closer to the real Brazil, with some vibrantly painted scenes from the party-crazed country.
Boteco's intimate restaurant serves up a rich variety of Brazilian dishes and tapas
Clientele & Atmosphere
Open every day until 3am - it's no secret that Boteco do Brasil is a Glasgow bar that really knows how to party. We were greeted by the cool vibe of a reggaeton beat shak-a-laking in the background, while a lively team of bar-tenders frolicked behind the bar - throwing cocktail shakers around as they created some enormous tropical drinks. The clientele ranged from groups of students taking advantage of the £3.50 cocktail deal, to after-work drinkers and couples enjoying caipirinhas. Not only that, Boteco seemed be a magnet for a diverse group of Glasgow drinkers, drawing in people from several different nationalities and a wide range of ages. Boteco's most alluring charm as we discovered, seemed to be its ability to provide a blissful beach-side hideaway by day (the closest you'll get to Rio in Glasgow City Center) and a buzzing Brazilian fiesta by night - spinning out a sultry selection of fiery Latino vibes.
Boteco regularly pumps out a sizzling concoction of latino, salsa and reggaeton beats from its speakers.
Food & Drink
Boteco's zesty and tropical cocktail menu offers an imaginative selection of thirst quenchers that are worlds apart from any other Glasgow bar or pub. They arrive in gigantic goblets and are garnished beautifully with a range of exotic fruit. The menu also serves up an exotic and rich selection of traditional Brazilian fare, and we opted for a selection of tapas dishes which turned out to be perfectly pickable, affordable and delicious. We feasted on the roast peppers stuffed with rice and mozzarella, the Brazilian fish cakes, and fought over the perfectly prepared pan-fried tiger prawns. Boteco do Brasil certainly serves up a unique dining experience for Glasgow's most passionate foodies, and keeps things happily affordable with its two course lunch deal for £5.95, and its selection of tapas dishes that undoubtedly blow the traditional weejie fish supper out the water.
For a taste of something different - pick a handful of dishes from Boteco's rich and spicy tapas menu
Summary
Boteco do Brasil serves up a slice of holiday fever slap bang in the center of Glasgow. It is a unique pocket of sunshine in a Merchant City bar, where the cocktails are ever-flowing and the tunes keep bringing those party lovers back for more. Bringing the easy-going Brazilian lifestyle to Glasgow - it's the perfect retreat to catch up over cocktails or tapas, is an infamous hotspot for a sizzling fiesta weekender, and is even a place to pick up some saucy salsa moves. Not feeling the heat in Glasgow this summer? Boteco do Brasil will soon change your mind.
