Sorry to take so long. Busy Friday. First where are you staying? Apartment or Hotel. If hotel the most important thing is to find out if they are "girl friendly". This means you can bring a girl to your room. Some are and some are not. The Marriot is, you have to check her in but you can bring a girl to your room. Same with Princess Copacabana.
As you are staying in the Copa area your two best options are Monte Carlo which is close to the Marriot. They use to be so-so and all the action was at L'Uomo but then L'Uomo closed and all the girls migrated to Monte Carlo. They are really jumping right now. The other location is Centaurus in Ipanema which is considered one of the best places in the world. Their prices are a bit higher than the rest but so are the quality of the girls.
As for strip clubs I would avoid them. You pay way too much. My advise would be to try Balconey Bar. This is an open air sidewalk bar where girls gather. You can have a beer, meet and greet and take one home, usually for a lot less than the strip clubs. You can also try Shenanigans in Ipanema. You can pick up a "civilian" here.
4 X 4 is the place downtown or Centro. It is only open Monday - Friday and they have a special of free door if you see a girl before 5:00. LOADS of girls with excellent talent.
You should hit all three of these termas at least once on your trip. You will find that if you find a girl you click with she will gladly give you her number and come visit you on her time off.
Agencies are another option although the problem is finding one that speaks English. Girl show up on time and are ready to get it on as soon as they walk in. Reasonable prices. Again if the girl and you click get the number.
At the termas there are usually real massages available. No happy endings or fooling around, they make that very clear. I always get one, very professional and great on those aching muscles from banging 2-3 girls a day.
If you do go to Barbarella's go late. The girls usually see someone early, get them off quick, and then get back. Toward the end of the night when the client is their last one of the night they will usually stay longer.
Note that if you stay at a high end hotel like the Marriot the girl will a lot of time be glad to spend the night with you because it's a lot better than where they live.
As you are in the Copa area you should make it a point to drop by Blame It On Rio 4 Travel
http://www.blameitonrio4travel.com/ and meet the owner Bobby. They are at Rua Xavier da Silveira, 15 They are always good for changing money at good rates plus helping with tips and suggestions. They rent phones a lot of times.
Will you be there on business or pleasure? Do you speak Spanish or Portugese?