It's an Olympic party at the Rio 2016 hospitality houses, and everyone's invited
Hospitality houses from countries such as France, Jamaica and the Netherlands have added a new flavour to the legendary nightlife scene in Rio de Janeiro
Located at the city's glamorous horse racing track, Club France has become a big hit on the Rio party scene during the Games
You'll need the stamina of an athlete to make it through a full programme of events at Rio 2016 and have energy left for a night's partying. But that's what's on offer in the Marvellous City during the Olympic Games – around 40 national 'hospitality houses' showcase the culture and traditions of countries taking part in Rio 2016, a few of which take the experience a little further, transforming themselves into nightlife hotspots.
The buzz surrounding Holland House, at the Monte Libano club, started as soon as the Games got underway. During the day, visitors can relax by the pool and take in the Rio 2016 events on the big screen, but after sunset, the vibe changes as Dutch DJs begin pumping out dance music, and many of the 250-wait staff (including Dutch dancers) head for the floor.
Holland House is located at Av. Borges de Medeiros, 701, in Leblon. Entry costs 45 euros, equivalent to around R$160 (open from 10.30am to 1.00am).
Thursday (11 August) saw Holland House host its first medal celebration, featuring famous Dutch TV presenter Humberto Tan as compere. Alongside Sydney 2000 gold medal-winning joduka Mark Huizinga, he congratulated Anicka Van Emden, who won bronze at Rio 2016, also in judo. The crowd sang Queen's 'We Are The Champions' in her honour before continuing with the party.
Find out more about the Holland House here
Take a glimpse inside Austria House...
Brazil House has everything from the four corners of the country
If you're looking for a venue where the party goes on until dawn, the best option is probably Le Club, the nocturnal version of the French hospitality house. The venue is a partnership between three of the biggest names on the club scene: Pacha, Privilège and Café de la Musique and is located at the chic Sociedade Hípica Brasileira (Av. Borges de Medeiros, 2448 in Lagoa).
Revellers entranced by the lights, dancers and DJs at the club are for the most part Brazilian, although some foreigners do join them, including Frenchman Matthieu Péché, bronze medallist in the Rio 2016 canoe slalom competition, who brought his medal with him on Thursday.
A night at Le Club requires a little planning ahead and some deep pockets: tickets can be bought online and prices vary according to the event and the batch of tickets being sold. For last Thursday's Mansion party, tickets sold at 1.00am cost the princely sum of R$250.
Find out more about the French house here
Nearby Jamaica House, located inside Restaurante Prado, in the Jockey Club (Praça Santos Dumont, 31, Gávea) features parties that get going from sundown, with Jamaican DJs on the turntables. Entry is free from 6.00pm to 2.00am, except on nights featuring performances by stars of Jamaican music, such as Bob Marley's son Kymani, when tickets cost R$55.
During Rio 2016, Jamaica House will be the home of athletics as well as reggae, as the big screens will stay tuned to the track events that have seen so much Jamaican success. Portraits of musical and sporting icons such as Shelley Ann-Fraser, Usain Bolt and Bob Marley decorate the walls.
