Alaska Gallery, in Copacabana, was already famous as a gay stronghold when Boate Sótão opened its doors in 1970. The idea was to offer a more sophisticated nightlife venue, in contrast to the seedy dive bars that took over the gallery and scandalized local defenders of good morals.
Image description: The image is an advertisement for a nightclub called "Sótão." It is in black and white and features a vertical layout, with elements arranged from top to bottom and left to right. At the top left, there is a logo with a crown and the number "8." To the right of it, the name "Sótão" is prominently displayed, followed by "Boate" below it. Next, it reads "Wonderful Samba," indicating the type of show offered. Below that, there is information about direction, choreography, and costumes, mentioning names such as Roberto Reis, Raul Soares, and Fernanda. At the bottom, there is schedule and address information: "Daily at 12:30 AM." and "Av Copacabana 1241 Galeria Alaska."Anúncio da Boate Sótão
In the elaborate setting — dolls, mannequins, and stuffed animals multiplied in the light of the mirrored walls — top-tier musical acts performed. In the second half of the decade, it dove headfirst into the disco club wave and increasingly drew support from the gay audience. The nightclub fell into decline in the 1980s, as did Galeria Alaska itself, which saw its bohemian spirit fade amid the growing stigmatization of gay men, driven by the panic caused by the HIV epidemic.
