Geek and Nerd Tour

When it comes to the geek and nerd universe, it’s possible to find many interests in common. Although there are some differences, as ways of interaction and clothes, when it comes to interests in movies, series and electronic equipment, the universes meet.

São Paulo, the Brazilian city that brings together the most diverse nationalities, cultures and urban tribes, is also the biggest geek and nerd haven in the Country. The main interest of these tribes – technology, computers, electronics, games, science, movies and series, comic books, anime and science fiction – are easily found in the capital. Check out the numerous places of the city that lovers of this culture must know:

TO BUY

Galeria do Rock (Rock Gallery)

Founded in 1963 as Shopping Center Grandes Galerias, and known by regulars as Galeria do Rock, is the meeting point of diverse “tribes” in São Paulo downtown. In its more than 450 commercial points, there are several record stores, t-shirts, accessories, body piercing and tattoo studios and many others. The objects of geek desire – comics, manga and other things related to the world of comic books – and t-shirts with various prints can also be found throughout the Gallery, in addition to classic vinyl record stores.

Façade of Galeria do Rock. Photo: José Cordeiro/SPTuris.

Rua Santa Ifigênia (St. Ifigênia Street)

Located in the downtown region, Rua Santa Ifigênia is one of the most famous in the city because it is the main trade center of electronics in São Paulo. With many stores specialized in state-of-the-art computers, games, and video games on the market, sound and light equipment and various types of gadgets (portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets), the street is a passion of geeks and nerds. In addition to the news and releases from the technology world, the shopping center has very attractive prices.

Liberdade

Liberdade neighborhood, near the São Paulo downtown, is the stronghold of Japanese immigrants where you can find all the richness of Eastern people’s culture, whether in restaurants, karaoke bars or even Buddhist temples. But what draws geeks and nerds attention is the diversity of Japanese manga comic shops, themed accessories, DVDs, games, action figures and plush toys inspired by Japanese productions, collectible items, t-shirts with nerd prints and costumes for cosplay. In addition to the shops, you can find it all at Sogo Plaza Shopping, which brings together all the news worshipped by the Otaku (Japanese comic fans).

Liberdade, one of the most famous neighborhoods in São Paulo. Photo: Caio Pimenta.

TO VISIT

Gibiteca Henfil (Henfil Comic Books Library)

Gibiteca Henfil is Brazil’s largest and oldest public comic books library, located since 1991 at Centro Cultural São Paulo. With a collection of over 10,000 titles, among albums, comic books, periodicals and books about the subject, by the most established national and international authors, it is a paradise for geeks and nerds. Moreover, it has a diverse programming of lectures, workshops, movies and games. Young people and adults gather at the place for long conversations about their favorite characters for a news update.

Gibiteca Henfil in Centro Cultural São Paulo. Photo: Sossô Parma.

Geek House

After passing by Gibiteca and reading some comic books, geeks and nerds can go to Geek House to purchase a few comics. The store sells national and imported comic books, action figures and statues, mugs, t-shirts and board games, as well as card games such as Magic, Pokémon, Yu-gi-oh and Marvel Battle Scenes. The place, located in Jardim Paulista, also has a space for games, reading, with tables and beanbags, besides Grão Espresso coffee shop, with a diversified menu.

TO EAT

Gibi Cultura Geek

Gibi Cultura Geek is not just a bar, but a space dedicated to geek culture in all its aspects. Besides the themed decoration, the place has a comic book library, independent comic books sale, exhibitions of series, movies and cartoons, lectures, and workshops related to the geek culture. On the menu, the highlights are hot dogs, snacks, national and imported beers thematic drinks.

The bar Gibi Cultura Geek is a geek and nerd paradise. Photo: publicity.

Big Kahuna

For movie lovers, Big Kahuna Burguer combines a varied menu and a Quentin Tarantino movies-themed decoration. The dishes are named after famous characters from the filmmaker’s works, such as Django, Vincent Vega, Mr. Wolf and others.

Ludus Luderia

The games are the main attraction of the bar Ludus Luderia. Located in a three storey house near Avenida Paulista, it is a true “board” to meet friends, eat, drink and play one of the more than 800 games available. The most fun is that the menu options are named after the games and decoration is totally focused on this type of board games. It’s worth enjoying epic matches of famous games of today or from the past, such as War, Guess who?, Pictionary and many others.

In Ludus Luderia, you can find the most diverse games. Photo: publicity.

And it isn’t over, there even more tour options. Check it out at in our Roteiro São Paulo Geek where to find the best of the geek and nerd universe in São Paulo.

Services:

Rua Santa Ifigênia (St. Ifigênia Street)

Address: Rua Santa Ifigênia – República – Downtown.

Galeria do Rock (Rock Gallery) 

Address: Rua Vinte e Quatro de Maio, 62 – República – Downtown
Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

Sogo Plaza Shopping

Avenida da Liberdade, 363 – Liberdade.

Gibiteca Henfil – Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

Address: Rua Vergueiro, 1000 – Paraíso – South Zone.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 8 pm Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except Carnival and Easter), from 10 am to 6 pm.
Phone: 3397-4090

Geek House

Address: Alameda Franca, 1055 – Jardim Paulista – West Zone.
Opening hours: Mondays, from 11 am to 8 pm; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 11 am to 9 pm; Thursdays and Saturdays, from 11 am to 10 pm.
Phone: (11) 3064-5145

Bar Gibi Cultura Geek

Address: Rua Major Maragliano, 364 – Vila Mariana – South Zone.
Opening hours: from Wednesday to Saturday, from 5 pm to 11:30 pm Sundays from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Tel:( 11) 5084-1165

Big Kahuna

Address: Alameda Lorena, 53 – Jd. Paulista.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Thursday, from noon to 3 pm and from 7 pm to 11 pm Fridays, from noon to 3 pm and from 7 pm to midnight. Saturdays from 1 pm to midnight. Sundays from 1 pm to 11 pm.
Phone: (11) 3051-6268 and (11) 4561-6770

Ludus Luderia

Address: Rua Treze de Maio, 972 – Bela Vista – Downtown.
Opening hours: open for lunch from Monday to Friday, from noon to 3 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, from noon to midnight. Fridays, from noon to 3 am Saturdays from 6 pm to 3 am Sundays, from noon to 11 pm.
Phone: (11) 3253-8452 and (11) 99241-2211