travelling-blogger

comments

A Bin Laden-themed bar is perhaps one of the more unusual sights England fans will see when they head to Sao Paolo for the World Cup game against Uruguay.

But the bizarre nightspot is sure to be a hit with tourists, thanks to eccentric owner Ceará Francisco Helder Braga Fernandes, who looks like the terrorist himself.

His idea for the bar came about after 9/11, when Bin Laden became the most wanted man in the world. Fernandes reportedly found himself in hot water after an alarmed customer reported that Bin Laden was hiding out in Brazil running a bar.

Local celebrity: Ceará Francisco Helder Braga Fernandes was mistaken for Bin Laden following the 9/11 terror attacks

Star appeal: The police who were called by a concerned customer started a trend for having a photo taken with Fernandes

Luckily for the lookalike bar owner, the police saw the funny side and he became a local celebrity, having his picture taken with customer - and the police officers sent to arrest him - and appearing on TV.

A hasty rebrand saw the Bar do Bin Laden open its doors to the public and it has since become a popular local hangout for young people who want to listen to rock and metal music.

The local celebrity, who moved to Sao Paulo from northern Brazil back in 1978, now claims to run 'the most rock and roll bar in Sao Paulo'. He even has a Tumblr blog dedicated to him.

Tourists will certainly be able to collect some unusual photos if they visit, not least because the owner - known to many as Uncle Bin - revels in is celebrity-terrorist status.

Brazilian Bin Laden: The shrewd businessman claims his nightspot is 'the most rock and roll bar in Sao Paulo'

Unusual trend: There are a host of Bin Laden-themed establishments across Brazil

The Bar do Bin Laden isn't the only Brazil venue named after the infamous Saudi, there are multiple themed bars, cafes and restaurants around the country.

Tourists in Rio de Janeiro may want to pop across the bay to Niteroi, where they can play a game of pool in the Caverna do Bin Lade - which translates as Bin Laden's Cave.

While the northern city of Juiz de Fora also has its own Bin Laden's Bar, complete with lookalike owner.