Samba Bar and Grill

Oh Samba. There are so many reasons I shouldn't love you, but I do.

The closest neighborhood dive bar to my current abode, I had a crush on Samba for months before even making a move. I'd walk by it on the way to the T or drive past it when going to work.  Sure it looked a little rough around the edges, but hey- chicks dig that.  

My first experience was probably not the norm.  A crowd of our friends commandeered the empty bar on a Thursday night when they were most certainly planning to close early and spent the next few hours hanging out, playing pool, dancing on an empty dance floor (strobe lights still going strong) and partaking in the house specialties: bomb chicken tenders, yucca fries, strong caipirinhas and a peanut flavored boozy elixir called Chiboquinha (nice find Jason B.)  The bartender was amazing- she gamely stayed open, keeping us happy with the steady flow of drinks and tasty bar food.

Flash forward a few weeks: we stopped in on a Saturday night and got to see Samba in action. Live music, strobe lights going, dance floor full and everyone in their clerrrrb gear. It was dive bar on steroids- lasers crisscrossing the floor, good acoustics and everyone in the mood to dance. I'll concede that the guys in our group were none too happy with the $10 cover for dudes, no charge for ladies (one lawyer friend actually tried to argue the legality of this with the doorman but his lack of Portuguese and her lack of English got in the way).  Pricing issues aside, we still had a blast grabbing drinks, listening to the band and hitting the dance floor. The Brazilian band even gave the boyfriend and I a shout out after some confusion that we might be there for our wedding reception (hrrrm, wtf? Ehh go with it...) Let's just say the language barriers made this both confusing and hilarious but the big hug and "Congratulations! Parabéns!" from the lead singer only made the night more interesting.

This place won't be for everyone. And I'm guessing Samba has a Peach Pitt/Peach Pitt After Dark thing going with their differing weeknight and weekend vibes. But having experienced both, I really like this divey spot. Keep your expectations in check and you might too.

What's not to like about a Brazilian bar with a stage, a dance floor, a big projection screen, live bands, LASERS, and my new favorite beverage, Chiboquinha!  I'd love to come back here on a night where they have a band playing and give it a fifth star - the acoustics seem great for that.  But great prices, awesome customer service and tasty bar food make this Brazilian joint a rocking good time.

Pretty good for a dive bar.  Went on a Friday night to hear a friend-of-a-friend's band play.  They were fun, but the thousands of lasers on the dance floor are a little over the top.  Lots of room for dancing, a stage for the band, tables, and one lonely pool table.  Not my scene, but fun anyway.