On super cool Praia da Joaquina [1], the Unique Lounge (Rua Prefeito Acácio Garibaldi São Thiago, Praia da Joaquina, tel. 48/3232-4088, 8 p.m.–close Tues.–Sun.; 8 p.m.–close Mon.–Thurs. and 4 p.m.–close Fri.–Sun. in summer, R$20–35) is definitely singular. Surrounded by typical Azorean houses, this hybrid lounge/bar/restaurant occupies a converted manioc flour mill.
The exterior is a jungly tangle of trees punctuated with a saltwater aquarium. Inside, things take a turn for the Oriental with a sushi bar, a Buddha statue, and lots of languor-inducing sofas.
The restaurant menu offers lots to nibble on (such as manioc chips with salmon paté), but you can also dine on the likes of T-bone lamb steak with pesto or penne with shiitake mushrooms. When you’ve had your fill, get your groove on in the (acoustically sealed-off) dance floor, where DJs work the tanned and trendy crowd.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-south/santa-catarina/ilha-de-santa-catarina/beaches/east-coast-beaches