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Vintage Coffee & Emporium scam or normal? 2026
Minimum card charge is normal, service fee usually isn't.
The card thing is common but sitting fees are rare in SP, unless it's couvert artistico which some places charge for live music.
Couvert artistico usually shows up on the menu, not sprung at the counter.
Only when there's actual live music though
Same rule at Bar do Mané, music nights only.
Right, and the giveaway is whether it's listed on the menu before you order. If he sprung it at the counter with no music playing, that's just improvising a fee.
yeah the card thing's standard but that service fee sounds made up, maybe he meant couvert artistico like the other person said
Agree, though some spots do add a sit-in fee
Card minimums are legal here but they have to post it visibly, so if it wasn't on the menu or door he was improvising.
those sit fees pop up more in touristy spots like around paulista, locals just walk out tbh
Sao Paulo late night safety 2026: which areas to avoid?
Rua Augusta itself is fine down to Consolacao at 11, it's busy enough. I'd avoid the stretch past Republica and around Luz late, that's where it gets sketchy. Honestly just walk Augusta, don't wander off it.
Second this. Paulista is fine but the side streets off it get quiet quick.
the side streets off augusta going toward vila buarque get empty fast after 10 so stick to the main drag and you'll be ok
Vila Buarque's Praça Rotary gets dodgy after 10
Yeah those cross streets like Rua Gravata and Marquês de Paranaguá are basically dead by 10, so main drag it is.