Rua da Cerveja gains a new establishment and reinforces its vocation as a beer hub in downtown Rio

Rua da Carioca, one of the most traditional addresses in downtown Rio, will gain a new attraction on Tuesday, the 17th. The opening of Cotovelo, a brewery that will unite the award-winning breweries Búzios and Tio Ruy and the entrepreneur Raphael Vidal, known for his work in Largo da Prainha. Cotovelo, which brought together two stores in one space, is part of the Rua da Cerveja project, by the City of Rio, to reinforce the revitalization process of the city center.

The project occupies two historic 1877-square-meter townhouses from 400, restored to house a new meeting point for craft beer lovers. The arrival of the brewery on Rua da Cerveja confirms the success of Rio's first beer hub – an initiative that, together with others such as Reviver Centro and Reviver Cultural, is helping to restore the economic, social and cultural aspects of the city's central region. The project is led by the Municipal Department of Economic Development (SMDE), in partnership with Companhia Carioca de Parcerias e Investimentos (CCPar), which is also responsible for Reviver Centro Patrimônio Pró-APAC.

– Little by little, downtown Rio is taking on a new look, with Rua da Cerveja moving forward, the Reviver Cultural spaces attracting people to the downtown area, and more residential developments being completed and delivered. We are happy to see this important part of the city pulsating again – celebrated Osmar Lima, Rio’s municipal secretary for Economic Development.

The project preserved and enhanced the original architectural elements of the properties. On the ground floor, the old hydraulic tiles were restored after the concrete was removed. A ten-meter marble counter, covered with reclaimed wood, accompanies the eight draft beer taps installed on site, with a production capacity of up to five thousand liters, distributed among the mezzanines. The walls expose original bricks, partially covered with tiles, and a second twenty-meter counter surrounds the dining room – an ideal base for the traditional elbow rests that gave the house its name.

The inspiration for the name Cotovelo also refers to the legendary Bar Luiz, the first beer hall in Rio, which operated on Rua da Carioca and, at the beginning of the 20th century, promoted arm wrestling matches as a way of promoting draft beer, which was still little known in the city.

With the opening of Cotovelo, Rua da Carioca now has five of the nine breweries in the program and takes another step towards consolidating itself as Rua da Cerveja, attracting new businesses and visitors and reaffirming its importance as Rio's cultural and emotional heritage.

Category:

• CCPar
• Economic development
• News

June 12th, 2025

Appointments: CCPar City News beer street Secretary of Economic Development SMDE