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At 68 and a wide smile on his face, José Antônio Veras – the popular Zé do Branco – keeps in his chest a story of almost 50 years playing one of Rio Branco’s most traditional bars. Amazonian by birth, but acrean from heart, he arrived in the state at age 9 and since then built his life in the capital.
Zé do Branco Bar keeps a history of almost 50 years as one of the most traditional bars in Rio Branco / Geovany Calegário
The Journey of Bar do Zé do Branco began in 1975, still in the Base neighborhood, in front of the company Brother Lameira. Already at that time, the bar was a certain meeting point in the class that lived or worked in the region. In 1990, Zé decided to change the bar headquarters to the river. It was there that space gained soul and fame. “Here were crowded with people, right? Vineyards from Porto Velho, Manaus, Belém… everyone to meet again, especially who was from the base. When they returned, it was here that they gathered,” recalls the owner.
The Journey of Bar do Zé do Branco began in 1975, still in the Base / Geovany Calegário neighborhood
For decades, the bar worked as a kind of informal tourist spot, where people were to celebrate life-some even to start it. “There were people who met here and married. It was not little. There are those who bring their son saying, ‘Seu Zé, this boy was generated here, we met in this bar,'” he says.
Tragedy and fresh start
In 2023, the bar faced its most difficult chapter. During one of the greatest floods in Acre’s history, the terrain where it worked was completely carried by the force of the waters.
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“When you see a heritage of your collapse at once, you lose the floor. It’s like a dog that falls from a change truck. I was not aware of what to do. And the worst: with employees who depended on me,” he recalls.
During one of the greatest floods in Acre’s history, the terrain where it worked was completely carried by the force of the waters / Geovany Calegário
Even shaken, Zé did not cross his arms. With support from the press, the community and authorities such as the mayor of Rio Branco, Senator Petecão and state and federal deputies, he was able to start over. “They came to really help. They didn’t leave me in hand.”
The bar reopened in a new site, still by the river, and gradually attracted the former visitors and conquer new ones.
The bar reopened in a new site, still by the river, and gradually attracted the former visitors and conquer new / Geovany Calegário
“After we exchanged place, it fallen, but now the people are returning. Our beer is cold, our food is still good. We’re standing.”
A bar with a family soul
Today, Bar do Zé do Branco is a family venture. Three daughters and six grandchildren of Zé work with him. Only four employees are not from the family, but the environment is touched with affection and unity.
“After we exchanged place, it fallen, but now the people are returning. Our beer is cold, our food is still good. We’re standing.” / GEOVANY CALENGARY
Open from Thursday to Sunday, from 7 am, the place serves lunch, snacks and a lot of good conversation. On the banks of the river, the mood is always quiet, and on Saturdays, a live sound packs customers.
“Here comes those who like to live. It’s a bar for everyone: young, adult, child. It can come quiet. Here it’s just love, peace and joy,” says Zé.
“Here comes those who like to live. It’s a bar for everyone: young, adult, child. You can come quiet. Here’s just love, peace and joy,” says Zé / Geovany Calegario
And of course, he himself takes advantage of the environment he created: “I take them all, every day. I already set up the bar because I like to drink. Who works with what they like, lives happily.”
If you still don’t know the Zé do Branco Bar, there is the invitation: “Come enjoy here. You arrive, have fun and get quiet. Here there is no fight, no confusion. This is magic. It’s joy.”
