Entertainment in Bolivia
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Av San Martin
The hippest nightspots are along Av San Martin, between the second and third rings in Barrio Equipetrol, a cheap taxi ride from the center. Hotspots change frequently so it's best to dress to impress and cruise the piranhar (strip, literally 'to go piranha fishing') and see what catches your fancy.
Local kids line up with their cars along the pavements and play unbelievably loud music out of their gigantic car-boot speakers in competition with the music booming from neighboring cars, while drinking beer, dancing and chatting till late. Most places start selling drinks between 18:00 and 21:00 but don't warm up until 23:00, then continue until 03:00 or 04:00.
reviewed
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A
Salfari
This little gem of a pub has friendly service, a loyal local crowd, and lively games of poker and cacho usually going on. Try their tasty but potent homemade fruit liqueurs.
reviewed
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Mitos
Mitos is a spacious basement spot a 15-minute walk from the centre. It really fills up around 1am and plays well-loved local and international hits.
reviewed
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B
Peña Marka Tambo
A less expensive - and some claim more traditional - peña. The food is okay, but the music is better.
reviewed
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Cine Palace
First-run flicks are shown nightly here.
reviewed
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C
Extreme Fun Pub
This relaxed spot is a very enticing place for a tea or coffee, a meal or sociable cocktail – try a Sexy Llama Bitch (B$20). It has salt floors, friendly service, a book exchange and beautiful salar photos. It’s also a good place to learn the classic Bolivian dice games or engage in an extreme challenge drink competition: who will chug down 10 drinks in the shortest time possible.
reviewed
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D
Jungle Bar Moskkito
Peruvian-run, English is spoken here. There’s a positive vibe, cheery service and the foliage that hangs from the roof makes you feel like you are in the jungle, whether there are ‘moskkitos’ or not. Throw some darts, shoot some pool and choose your own music – the extensive menu of CDs is played by request. Happy hour runs from 7pm to 9pm on selected cocktails.
reviewed
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El Rincón Salteño
Traditional peñas (folk-music programs) are scarce in modern Santa Cruz, but this is an excellent choice. Positioned on the second anillo, there’s a great variety of musical styles, from Argentine guitarists to Cuban village drummers, local singers and dancers in costume.
reviewed
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E
Joy Ride Café
Probably the Best Bar in Town, ’ or so the promotion will have you believe, this wildly popular gringo-tastic cafe, restaurant and bar has everything, from dawn espressos to midnight vodkas, nightly movies to weekend dancing on tables. It’s spacious, friendly, well-run and the food is great too.
reviewed
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F
Irish Pub
A travelers’ second home in Santa Cruz, this place has pricey beers, delicious soups and comfort food, plus tasty local specialties. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, though most people while the hours away drinking beer, relaxing and watching the goings-on in the plaza below.
reviewed
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G
Teatro Municipal Alberto Saavedra Pérez
The Teatro Municipal Alberto Saavedra Pérez has an ambitious program of folklore shows, folk-music concerts and foreign theatrical presentations. It’s a great old restored building with a round auditorium, elaborate balconies and a vast ceiling mural.
reviewed
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Cinecenter
Modern mall with food court, trendy shops and a 12-screen US-style cinema that shows all the latest Hollywood releases. This place has rapidly become the place to be seen in Santa Cruz, to the detriment of a number of smaller cinemas and art-houses that have closed as a result.
reviewed
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Avenida Monseñor Rivero
North of the plaza between the first and second anillos, Avenida Monseñor Rivero is, according to the locals, 'the Equipetrol for the older generations', with fewer discos but more see-and-be-seen cafés and trendy late-night restaurants with sidewalk seating.
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H
Espresso Café Bar
Just behind the cathedral, this wins the ‘best coffee in town’ award. It’s an attractive, traditional-looking place with pleasant staff. It also serves good juices. A word of advice – don’t order a ‘large’ espresso unless caffeine is more of a compulsion than a pleasure.
reviewed
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I
Peña Huari
The city's best-known peña is aimed at tourists and Bolivian business people. The attached restaurant specializes in Bolivian cuisine, including llama steak, Lake Titicaca trout, charque kan (jerky) and salads. The show starts at 20:00.
reviewed
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J
El Calicanto
Housed in an old colonial home two blocks from Plaza Murillo, it consists of the café El Molino, which does coffee and lunches, a bar with a nightly peña, and the Restaurant Las Tres Parrillas (with reasonably priced and excellent food).
reviewed
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K
Bar Huari
Not much seems to have changed in this traditional bar since the 1930s – locals still while away their evenings playing games and drinking beer in its series of high-ceilinged rooms. There are cheap almuerzos (B$10) and dinner mainstays.
reviewed
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L
Mongo’s
Mongo’s is La Paz’s long-standing hip, hot (it gets crowded) and happening spot that seems to stand the test of time for both tourists and locals alike. There’s after-dinner music, and live salsa music on Tuesdays.
reviewed
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M
Café Teatro Caretas
A bohemian, all-ages cultural center, presenting live music, theater, chess lessons and art exhibitions. There is something happening most nights and the cover is minimal. Drinks and snacks are served and late-night burger stands wait outside.
reviewed
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N
La Casona Pub
The atmospheric La Casona Pub is tucked away in the historic 1775 home of the royal envoy sent to administer the mint. It’s a memorable, friendly watering hole with pub grub. On Friday it stages live music performances.
reviewed
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Murcielaguitos
After midnight, with the resto-bars shut, it’s time for Murcielaguitos, in the Residencial 20 de Octubre, where students from the agricultural college join others to dance to loud Latin music and sing karaoke.
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O
Brazilian Coffee Bar
This Brazilian chain spot does a weird mixture of coffee, sushi and alcohol. The sushi reminds you why the Brazilian’s aren’t famed for it, but the coffee and booze are passable. It claims to be open 24 hours.
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P
Pub the Alpaca
A worthwhile option, this Swedish- and Bolivian-run pub is an intimate recently renovated spot set up in a front room. The good-mood feel is helped with good mixed drinks. If the door is locked, just knock or ring the bell.
reviewed
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Q
Eleguá
During the week this is a Cuban cultural-center-cum-bar-cum-dance-school (it depends which day you visit!). At weekends it metamorphoses into a groovy Latino disco where you can swing your thing to the latest samba sounds.
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Marka
This tucked-away bar set back off Calle Ecuador next to La Republika is a fine, relaxed spot to enjoy low-key music, friendly service, and good mixed drinks. There's live music - jazz and blues - every now and then.
reviewed