In the first residential street of Rio, a sunny Saturday may look like ancient times. In the middle of a long parallelepiped corridor surrounded by colorful historic houses, tents selling various items and interesting and cool people fills with style a large outdoor market. There, people don’t seek vegetables or seasonal fruits, but crafts; books, CDs and antique furniture; rare and curious objects; different clothes and accessories and, above all, a light and happy mood!

Today, Tonic&Lime takes you to meet one of the most prestigious free events of the city and, through a scenario of the year 1770, brings back memories of an antique Rio. Welcome to Feira Rio Antigo (Rio Old Market, in free translation), Lavradio Street, in the carioca capital’s downtown!

With around 400 exhibitors and 20 thousand visitors in each edition, the traditional exposition is part of the city’s agenda since 1998, when an association of culture, tourism, gastronomy, commerce and leisure professionals, called Polo Novo Rio Antigo, decided to invest in the revitalization of the capital’s historic center. Since then, the region was transformed with the market which displays and negotiates all types of art, antiquity and, even things without importance on the street that once housed personalities such as the poets Machado de Assis and Lima Barreto, the singer Carmen Miranda, the political Duque de Caxias and the Rio’s legendary figure Madame Satã!

The tents are set up along the sidewalk and cloths are stretched on the floor revealing articles of various ages, such as telephones, wall plates, coffee machines of the Empire period, tablewares, pictures and vinyl records. In a party mood, toys, machines, people, bars, restaurants, music and dance mixes themselves every first Saturday of the month, attracting tourists from Brazil, foreigners and, especially, the inhabitants of the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City, in free translation).

Among so many stands to see, a good tip for women who likes accessories is Santa Malagueta. With bags of different sizes, key chains, bags for cell phones and so many other colorful  tissue goods is impossible not to fall in love! For the music lovers, on its turn, the Diogo’s tent is the choice! Around Relação Street, it keeps relics of nationally and internationally vinyl. There, you can find rare vinyls of any musical style, such as Pearl Jam, Cartola, Baden Powell, Novos Baianos, Tim Maia, Madonna, among many others! The genres are eclectic, and prices vary according to the disk importance or scarcity in the market. Now, if your preference is for sunglasses, the good idea is the stand Loucos por Óculos! With hundreds of original old models, the accessories are restored and are just pretty, pretty! Chat with one of the owners of the space – the friendly Rafa and Lee – and choose the style that matches you!

But if between a tent and other the hunger increases, or the desire to drink a beer appears, choose one of the bars along the market – Botequim Informal, Antonio’s, among others – and ask your order! A good one is Mangue Seco, which is specialized in seafood! Everything there is delicious, from appetizers to main courses! Now, if you prefer Northeastern dishes, try acarajé of Sônia Bahia! The whimsical stand exposed on the corner of Lavradio Street with Relação Street is an obligatory stop for anyone who wants to eat an authentic acarajé, done in a pipkin pan and with palm oil coming directly from Bahia!

Feira Rio Antigo is the perfect place to surprises, meetings, shopping, good food and entertainment! While you walk down the street looking for a bar to sit or even appreciating the stands, you find three different musicals spots. The first one is around Botequim Informal, with live music, and it’s for Brazilian music lovers! For those who enjoy Latin music, Bloco do Conga, around Relação Street, is a good option! Besides the sound, you can try to dance with who usually stay there teaching the uninhibited ones! Finally, near Senado Street, there is a group playing samba and choro! Just choose where you feel better and enjoy the day!

Remember that the party continues after the market ends and the night falls in the bars and nightclubs in Lavradio Street! Discover this world full of possibilities that the Feira Rio Antigo offers and come here to tell us!