Even though Mars’s entourage was thirsty, the 39-year-old singer himself did not open the can of beer he was served — and which now has pride of place in the bar, as a memento of the momentous occasion.
On top of the booming trade, the bar has also had a makeover, with the company behind the beer’s label capitalizing on the Mars aura by paying for a renovation.
The once nondescript bar now boasts a new refrigerator, tables and chairs, and a poster — all of them printed with the likeness of Mars. There is also a large framed photo of Teixeira with the singer on the wall.
The American artist already has a history with Brazil, having performed there on tour four times — the last in November, when he made his Belo Horizonte stop, in a venue just five kilometers (three miles) from the bar.
In some of his shows, he spoke a little Portuguese, and on his last tour Mars was presented with an honorary Brazilian taxpayer’s identity card in his name.
A Belo Horizonte bricklayer who lives next door to Lacador, Adilson Machado, said he was among those who met the star.
“When they said that ‘Bruninho’ (“little Bruno” as Mars is affectionately called in Brazil) was here, I shook his hand and he greeted everyone. He is a very humble person,” he said.
