Bored of the regular Old Street scene? Twist it with a Brazilian party atmosphere and you get Favela Chic.

The Venue
Based on the original Favela Chic, which opened eleven years ago in Paris, Old Street’s Favela Chic has been going for around two years now and slots into the Old Street scene perfectly. Anyone who has been to both Brazil and Shoreditch will probably wonder how this works, and you’ve got to see it to believe it, but it really does.

Sat on the corner of Great Eastern Street, Favela Chic stands out from the characterless buildings that surround it. Its exterior is covered in funky patterned fabric and there are huge green plants scattered around the building. Once inside, the place is just as spectacular – think furniture hanging from the ceilings, plenty more plants, and a DJ whose elevated position above the main dance floor is just perfect. This place has a distinctly Brazilian feel thrown in with the edgy-twist that makes Shoreditch cool.

The Atmosphere
Favela Chic is unquestionably fun. The venue is packed with both Brazilians in search of a flavour of home and regular trendies on the Shoreditch circuit. The type of night dictates the atmosphere. Events include Swap-a-rama nights where you attend wearing clothing that you drop and swap when the klaxon sounds, nights where teams of DJs battle it out for the best beats, film nights, gigs, and evenings that include a set menu banquet for £12.95. The day of the week and type of night dictates the door charge, but you’ll never pay more than a tenner for entrance.

The Music
What makes Favela Chic stand out from other so-called themed bars in London is that it effortlessly showcases different DJs and live acts virtually every night of the week. This eclectic mix includes everything Brazilian funk, samba beats and jazz. The beats mirror those in the favela with a twist of the electro and indie tunes that mix up the regular Shoreditch scene. Favela Chic undoubtedly spices up the regular Old Street night out.

The Food
In keeping with the banquet theme that characterises so many meals in Brazil – Favela Chic offers a £12.50 set price for a set menu at least one night of the week. The food on offer changes depending on the time of year.

Outside of the set menu, you’ve got main courses priced at £9-£15. These include the amusingly named Hand of God - a popular dish of sirloin steak; Galinha Bebada (drunken hen) - chicken cooked with beer; and the traditional Brazilian Feijoada - black beans, pork ribs, bacon, salt beef and sausage. Desserts are priced at £5 and include Italian desserts, like panacotta, French pastry favourites and pay complement to the English sticky toffee pudding.

The Drink
Arguably, you can’t experience Brazil without a Caipirinha - made of cachaca, lime and sugar - and bar staff at Favela Chic do their best to mix it up in as authentic way as possible. You won’t complain, even if you’ve had the real deal in Brazil. This attention to detail is also reflected in the other cocktails where you can get all the favourites including fruity mojitos and crisp margaritas.

If beer is your thing, then you can’t leave Favela Chic without having a Brahama – the unofficial beer of Brazil. Cocktails are priced from around £5 upwards and expect to pay the same for spirits and mixers. Beer is around £4. This is pretty reasonable for the area.

The Last Word
A hip shakingly Brazilian bar that successfully combines the sexiness and sunshine-themed samba lifestyle with the Shoreditch scene.

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