Aside from its beaches, Búzios is famous for its nightlife, most of which is concentrated along Armação’s Rua das Pedras and its extension, Avenida José Bento Ribeiro Dantas, also known as the Orla Bardot. Búzios’s nocturnal scene sizzles all year-round, but during the summer months it boils over. Things don’t get going until around 11 p.m., and the partying (which entails a lot of eating, drinking, and checking people out) is so intense that most of the area’s hotels serve breakfast until noon and most boutiques don’t open their doors until the afternoon.

The creperia Chez Michou is a perennial hot spot, as is Pátio Havana (Rua das Pedras 101, tel. 22/2623-2169, www.patiohavana.com.br, 6 p.m.–close, no cover), a sophisticated place with various spaces including a wine cellar, whiskey club, bistro, tobacco shop, and a stage that hosts live jazz, blues, and MPB performers.

Anexo (Av. José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 392, tel. 22/2623-6837, 6 p.m.–close, no cover) is a popular lounge-bar/bistro with sofas gazing out towards the sea and a dance floor.

Serious dance-aholics can get their fix at Privilège (Av. José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 550, tel. 22/2623-0288, www.privilegenet.com.br, 10 p.m.–close, R$40–70 cover), where three resident DJs serve up an eclectic mix of rhythms to a crowd of international beauties. Having worked up a sweat, you can chill out on the terrace, or at any of the five bars, one of which serves sushi.