It was at an after party in Brooklyn, New York, that representatives of three of the main music catalysts in São Paulo came up with an idea that was considered so good that it was nourished for more than two years of the pandemic until it finally came to life this Thursday, the 8th.
That idea is Bar Alto, in Vila Madalena, the result of a meeting between Junior Passini, from the Tokyo Group, Lúcio Ribeiro, from Popload, and Fernando Dotta and Rafael Farah, creators of the label and producer Balaclava. In 2019, everyone entered a bar in the American city by chance and found an environment that they thought of adapting to be replicated in São Paulo — a bar with an unpretentious atmosphere with loud and diverse music, ranging from Beyoncé to Metallica in minutes. The “biggest smallest club in the world”, according to Passini.
“We wanted a place that had a space to listen to music and that was small, forcing concerts, parties and DJs into a more intimate format, to bring people together. And also an open area for the public to circulate and meet, because we know that’s what moves people who like music”, says the DJ, who, in addition to Tokyo, also plays the ballad Selva.
Alto occupies several environments in a different format when the subject is a space that favors music. The entrance has a grandstand that leads to a small and cozy bar, where cocktails cost between R$ 30 and R$ 40 are produced by Argentinean Chula Barmaid, who signs the current charter of Cineclube Cortina. The kitchen serves shared meals and snacks starting at R$25.
A mirrored corridor, already with another soundtrack, shot from a speaker in the ceiling, leads to another bleacher and to the main area of the bar.
On the middle floor, a small sign that says “loud sound” is above the door that leads to the dimly lit space and another counter for drinks. It serves as a track for anyone listening to DJ sets and parties and houses the concert audience. The small, low stage follows the house’s rule of intimacy, bringing artists and audience closer together — a common feature of the world of hellish houses that serve independent and alternative music from São Paulo that the bar’s partners know intimately and which was strongly affected by the pandemic.
The space has many stairs and accessibility is still an issue there. But Passini says two elevators will be installed by 2023. One will take you to the first floor and the other to the terrace, which has another beer-only bar, as well as a hallway with outdoor seating.
But the idea is not just to receive smaller artists, but to create a curatorship that mixes a little of the identity of the three groups —the alternative vein of Balaclava, the pop and indie DNA of Popload and the party atmosphere of Tokyo’s DJing.
According to Pasini, the Alto stage can host both new bands and international artists who want to perform in new formats for a more exclusive audience. He also considers this to be a way to oxygenate the circuit after the closing of doors of fundamental stages for the scene, such as Casa do Mancha and Breve —the latter, also commanded by Balaclava staff.
Alto joins other spaces that have also recently emerged in the Pinheiros and Vila Madalena region, such as Casa Rockambole, City Lights Music Hall and Porta.
“We lost very important places, not only in São Paulo, but in the state as well. And creating a club where you can give that first chance, whether for a party or for a band, was the main thing. the opposite, of established artists being able to put on a show that they haven’t done in a few years for 80 people. It’s that feeling of something you have to be a part of”, says Passini.
From Tuesday to Thursday, the house opens with disco. On Saturdays and Sundays, it hosts free parties, but with an artistic cover charge. Fridays will be reserved for concerts with a ticket, but the bars will remain open to anyone who wants to attend them.
December schedule
8 to 11/12
Shows – Tum, Walfredo In Search of Symbiosis
Parties – Creamy Vinyl, Primavera Te Amo
DJs – Millos Kaiser, Claudia Assef, Camilo Rocha, Gui Scott, Chiara Rodello, Tiago Guinness, Lys Ventura, Giu Nunez
12/13 to 18/12
Concerts – Deize Tigrona
Parties – Stay Free, Festa Mel
DJs – Zé Pedro, Gustavo Keno, Ju Mineira, Samuca, Fiervo, Arraya, Valentina Luz, Mau Mau, Ubuntu, Blackat
12/20 to 23/12
Shows – Race, Dozaj
DJs – Deekapz, Ruxell, Thay Girão, Dan Dan, Miria Alves, Corelli, Mari Rossi
12/27 to 30/12
Party – Luna
DJs – Nana Kohat, Sanvtto, Dago, Guarizo, Rafa Maia, Rosa Pistola, Suelen Even
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
