Roots Reggae Bar is exactly what the name suggests: a dedicated reggae venue in the historic centre that plays nothing but reggae, roots, and dancehall from a sound system that takes up half the room. The owner has been collecting vinyl since the 1970s and knows more about the music than most Jamaicans. The walls are covered with Bob Marley posters and record sleeves.
The bar is small and gets very full on weekends. Come early if you want a seat, or come late if you want to dance. The cachaça cocktails are good and inexpensive. This is the kind of place that defines why people come to São Luís — authentic, unpretentious, and completely absorbed in its own musical world.