Tonight’s Happy Hour with the British Consulate and CCC

By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tonight (Wednesday, April 29th) The Rio Times is excited to host, in partnership with the British Consulate of Rio de Janeiro, a Happy Hour from 7PM to 11PM to announce being the official 2015 media sponsor for the Carioca Cricket Club (CCC). The event will be at Mekong restaurant and lounge in Leblon, with drink and appetizer specials and music by DJ Mary Byker.

The sponsorship agreement came together quickly as a natural fit between the CCC and The Rio Times’ mission to be the community news outlet for expatriates and travelers in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. Partnering on the event was also a natural fit for the British Consulate here, as Ernesto Magalhães, Manager of Communications & Public Diplomacy at British Consulate of Rio de Janeiro explains.

“Cricket was played in Rio and Brazil before football, brought by the British community here at the time. The Rio Cricket Club in Niteroi was established in 1872. Cricket is one of the oldest sports in the UK and an intrinsic part of our culture. An English summer would not be the same without tens of thousands of cricket matches being played in towns and villages across the country.”

Magalhães continues, “Therefore this event is a good opportunity to be in contact with British people living in Rio in a non-formal way, and to show how the Consulate can support them. It is also a great opportunity to promote Cricket with Cariocas, and other aspects of the UK culture.”

“We invited some friends and contacts at the British community in Rio, particularly the ones connected with Sports. We also invited people from others areas we work closely with, like Energy, Oil & Gas, and infrastructure,” Magalhães explains. “And the invitation was shared with the whole Consulate`s staff. A member of our staff, Oliver Ballhatchet – who is the Consul, Olympic and Paralympic Co-ordinator for the British Network in Brazil, has confirmed as he is also the captain of the Carioca Cricket Club.”

In addition to the excellent company and music, Mary Byker (who is also co-owner of Mekong), talks about why the restaurant likes to be involved in events like tonight’s happy hour. “It’s important for sure, most expats are familiar with Asian food of which there is not a great deal of choice here in Rio.”

Giving some detail to the event promotion, beyond the R$5 Bohemia longnecks and R$10 Sabai Sabai drinks, “We chose two appetizer specials as they really popular and quite different. While the Pakora (onion bhaji) is slightly spicy and vegetarian, the Goi Cuon Tom (fresh summer rolls with prawns) is a lighter option.”

For those that are interested in sitting for a full meal beyond the happy hour specials, Byker suggests, “For a main course we recommend the Pad Thai, Massaman Curry or the Chicken Tikka Masala with pilau rice. With our spiced brownie with ice cream for desert!”

What: The Rio Times and Carioca Cricket Club Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, April 29th 7PM – 11PM
Where: Mekong, Rua General Urquiza, 188 A, Leblon (corner of Rua Dias Ferreira)
Entrance: FREE