THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

Taberna Terramar Monseñor Rivero 281. Charming Spanish restaurant with tasteful decor

and comfy seats, offering traditional dishes like gazpacho, tortilla española and, of course,

paella (Bs100-200 for two people).

DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE

Whether it's because of the humid climate (as visiting collas from the highlands assert), the

beauty and hot-bloodedness of the Cruceñas (as locals insist), or the combination of large

disposable incomes and abundant cocaine (as one may suspect), many Cruceños love nothing

better than to stay up late, eating, drinking and dancing the night away. This comes to the

fore during Carnaval (late Feb or early March), when the city stages a series of wild masked

balls. Most of the flashier clubs are in the brashly exclusive Barrio Equipetrol , about 5km

northwest of the centre, on a stretch of Avenida San Martín between the second and third

anillos. Cover charges (Bs30-50 upwards) are standard, and doormen aren't afraid of turning

away scruffy gringos.

CITY CENTRE

Nightlife within the city centre is relatively low-key and dispersed, but there's still a good

range of bars , many with live music on the weekends.

La Casona Arenales222 033378495, bistrolacasona.com . Smartbohemianbar-restaur-

ant in a nineteenth-century building with a lovely patio, mellow music and a relaxed ambi-

ence. There's live jazz and blues on Thurs-Sat nights (cover charge around Bs15), as well

as refined German, Italian and local dishes (mains Bs39-110) and a lengthy menu of beers,

including some pricey imported options. There's also a small deli. Mon-Sat 11.30am-late.

Clapton Blues Bar Ballivián 159. As the name suggests, this is a dimly lit, smoke-filled

bluesbarthatonlygetsgoingafterabout11pmonThurs-Satnights,whenblues,rock,reggae

and jazz bands perform. Closed Sun & Mon.

Irish Pub Plaza 24 de Septiembre. On the first floor of the Bolívar shopping centre, with

tablesoverlookingtheplaza,thisjointhasafairlyauthentic Irishpubfeel,andisagreatplace

to enjoy a beer (Bs14-24), cocktail or coffee. It gets very lively in the evenings, especially at

weekends. Food is also available, including relatively exotic delights like Irish stew (Bs38)

and a full Irish breakfast (Bs27). Mon-Sat 9am-1.30am, Sun 4pm-1.30am.

Lorca Café René Moreno 20, first floor. This funky cafe-bar has a balcony overlooking

the plaza, an interior filled with arty displays and live jazz, blues or folk music Thurs-Sun

nights. There's also a tasty array of gringo-pleasing delights (Bs30-60), and sometimes more

exotic dishes like cayman tails.