SubAstor

Hidden beneath the grandeur of Farol Santander’s historic vaults, Bar do Cofre by SubAstor is a coquetelaria (cocktail bar) like no other. The moment you step through its heavy steel doors, you’re transported into a world that honours its past and plays with the present. Two 16-ton circular vault doors, marble floors and walls, and nearly 2,000 old deposit boxes set the stage. The décor retains many original bank features while layering lush lounge furniture, warm lighting, and intimate corners — every detail invites you to slow down over your drink. The drink menu, under the guidance of head bartender Fabio La Pietra, strikes a balance between innovation and homage. You’ll find SubAstor classics as well as creations inspired by Brazilian ingredients: gin, rum, whisky, genever, all mixed with native produce like rapadura, cashew fruit, Brazilian bitters, and tropical flora. Signature cocktails include Ordem e Prosecco (a twist combining cachaça, spumante, calvados, grapefruit, and Tahiti lime) and The Hidden, which pairs scotch, red vermouth, Campari and rooibos tea. Food here is more than afterthought. Small plates lean Brazilian with occasional Italian flair: steak tartare with mandiopan (a manioc-based fritter), burrata sandwiches, rice balls, comforting bites to complement the cocktail experience. The ambience is moody, intimate, and theatrical. Since this bar lives under lock and key (literally in a bank vault), there’s a sense of mystery. It’s perfect for special nights — dates, celebrations, explorers of design and flavour. It tends to be busy, reservations are recommended, and arriving early helps. Bar do Cofre isn’t just drinking; it’s being part of a story.