Location: Valinhos, Brazil
Capacity: 5,000
Breaking into the top 10 for the first time this year, Laroc is a mainstay in the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs poll, and with good reason. Known as the first sunset club in Brazil, this 50,000-square-foot venue has quickly become a hub for electronic music fans in São Paulo, and a must-visit spot for tourists alike. Located in the lush hills of the Valinhos countryside, the open-air venue has a festival-like atmosphere that plays host to buoyant day parties and hazy club nights. On a typical Laroc night, you’d find superstar DJs like Vintage Culture or Chemical Surf playing on its gigantic stage, while hyper-vivid LED panels light up its main dancefloor and confetti explosions and pyrotechnic displays entertain the energetic crowd.
During the Covid pandemic in 2020 and throughout 2021, Laroc, like many other clubs, found it tough dealing with the lockdown restrictions. “It was very difficult to keep going for almost two years without opening,” says representative, Victor Flosi. “Many marketing actions were done to [keep] the dream alive during these times, and fortunately it worked. Laroc stood still and now is more vigorous than ever.”
Over the past year, Laroc has expanded its pool of brand partnerships, boasting new activation areas with brands like Becks, Redbull, Ciroc and Johnnie Walker. In October this year, Laroc is planning to launch a newly designed stage to honour its seven-year anniversary — just in time to host the only Latin American leg of Dutch DJ Hardwell’s world tour. And with EDM legends Deadmau5 and Tiësto booked for the rest of the year, you can rest assured there is still no hotter ticket in São Paulo, right now.