Celebrating Two Decades of Brazilian Music, Cinema & Community in Dublin
Few stages in Ireland have felt the heartbeat of Brazil quite like The Sugar Club. For over twenty years, our Leeson Street home has celebrated the sounds, stories, and spirit of Brazil — through unforgettable live shows, late-night DJ sessions, and cinematic moments that have brought the country’s rhythm and soul right into the heart of Dublin.
It all began back in 2005, when DJ Nuts joined the Mochilla collective for a screening of Brasilintime — a groundbreaking night that fused hip-hop, samba, and vinyl culture in a way Dublin had never seen before. Around that same era, we screened Brazilian classics like City of God, and later proudly hosted the Irish premiere of Tropicália — celebrating the psychedelic movement that reshaped Brazil’s cultural identity in the 1960s.
From film to live music, the connection has only deepened. Our stage has welcomed some of Brazil’s most iconic artists: Azymuth (2014 & 2022) and their cosmic jazz-funk explorations; Marcos Valle, the Bossa Nova pioneer whose melodies have defined generations; and Ed Motta, whose velvet funk and soulful presence filled the room with pure groove. We’ve danced to the folkloric rhythms of Lia de Itamaracá, the Ciranda queen of Pernambuco, and witnessed the rise of a bold new wave with Liniker, Bala Desejo, Johnny Hooker, Nação Zumbi, and Bixiga 70 — artists who continue to redefine Brazilian sound for a global audience.
Beyond the stage, our Brazilian-themed DJ nights have become legendary — hosted by Lex Woo, DJ Scope, TWoc, B+, Fruitman, Pablo Santos, and many more. From the main room to the backyard terrace, those nights have turned The Sugar Club into a slice of Rio, blending samba, funk carioca, tropical soul, and Afro-Brazilian rhythms under the Dublin sky.
We’re grateful for the support of the Brazilian Embassy in Ireland, who’ve helped us bring many of these collaborations to life. And at the heart of it all, we’re proud of our Brazilian team, many of whom have worked at The Sugar Club for over twenty years — the real rhythm behind the scenes.
From live concerts to legendary films, The Sugar Club has become a meeting point between Dublin and Brazil — a place where music, cinema, and culture dance together.
Obrigado, Brasil. Sempre.