The Santo Antônio district in Belo Horizonte is packed with bars and restaurants. Some of the quaintest are located on Rua Congonhas, part of a preserved cluster of charming colorful houses which have been turned into eateries and botecos.

Oficina d'Ideias ("Idea Workshop"), a popular bar with the 20s and 30s crowd, is one of them. The ambience is composed by soft lights - candles, luminaries, beautiful hanging lamps - and details such as and old lamp post and a mosaic floor made of black and white Portuguese chips like the ones on Copacabana sidewalks.

On the walls, you'll see paintings by Fernando Vignoli, a Belo Horizonte-born artist who's based in New York City and has a studio in BH.

The outdoor patio has folding tables and chairs, plants, and a couple of trees.

On Friday and Saturday, booking a table is advisable: the resident DJ and guests spin house, lounge, bossa nova, jazz and pop music, the crowds come in and it could be difficult to find a place to park unless you arrive early.

The menu has several Brazilian treats such as linguiça and farofa. The bartender mixes caipirinhas, margueritas and other cocktails.

Hours:

Tue-Sat from 7 p.m. to the last customer

Cover Charge:

R$5 (price subject to change)

Address:

Rua Congonhas 539
Santo Antônio
Belo Horizonte - MG

Reservations:

55-31-3296-5432