Hallwright's
Hallwright's occupies a two-story building on Calle Sanchez Lima 2229 in Sopocachi, about two blocks off the main Calle 20 de Octubre strip. The pub takes its name from a British mining family that worked in Bolivia in the early 20th century, and the decor leans into that heritage with dark wood paneling, British beer memorabilia, and a dartboard that actually gets used. The ground floor has the main bar and seating for about 40 people. An upstairs area adds another 25 seats with a slightly quieter atmosphere. The craft beer selection rotates but consistently features Bolivian microbrews alongside imports. The kitchen serves burgers, fish and chips, and shepherd's pie that hit the comfort food mark. This is La Paz's default gathering spot for English speakers: NGO workers, teachers, embassy staff, backpackers, and bilingual Bolivians who enjoy the international atmosphere.
What to Expect
You'll walk into a warm, woody space that feels like it belongs in an English market town rather than 3,640 meters up in the Andes. The chatter is a mix of Spanish and English. Sports play on a TV behind the bar. The energy is conversational rather than party-oriented. This isn't a place you go to dance; it's a place you go to talk over a good beer.
Warm, social, and international. A neighborhood pub that happens to sit at the highest altitude of any pub in the world.
Background rock, pop, and indie at conversation-friendly volume. Live music occasionally on weekends.
Casual. Anything goes. The crowd includes people straight from the office and people straight from the hiking trail. Nobody cares.
Expats and travelers looking for an English-friendly social hub. Good for solo visitors who want to meet people over a beer.
Cash (Bolivianos) and cards accepted. Card machine is generally reliable here.
Price Range
Draft beer 20-30 BOB, craft pints 25-40 BOB, cocktails 30-50 BOB, food 35-60 BOB, no cover
Draft beer ~$2.90-4.30 USD / ~2.65-4 EUR, cocktails ~$4.30-7.20 USD / ~4-6.60 EUR
Hours
Tue-Sat 5 PM to midnight, Fri-Sat sometimes until 1 AM
Insider Tip
Go on Tuesday or Wednesday for a quieter experience and easier conversation with locals. The upstairs seating is better for groups. Ask the bartender for the current craft beer recommendations; the rotating taps change weekly.
Full Review
Finding Hallwright's takes a moment if you're walking from the main strip. It's set back from Calle 20 de Octubre on a quieter side street, and the entrance is understated. Inside, the ground floor bar is compact and fills up quickly on Fridays. The bartender knows most of the regulars, and it's the kind of place where a solo traveler sitting at the bar gets drawn into conversation within 20 minutes.
The beer selection is the main draw. Bolivia's craft beer scene is small but growing, and Hallwright's stocks options from local microbreweries that you won't find at other Sopocachi bars. The imports are limited but adequate. A pint costs more than a Pacena at Diesel Nacional, but you're paying for quality and variety.
The food is good by La Paz standards. The fish and chips use local trout, and the portions are generous. The shepherd's pie is comfort food that hits right on a cold La Paz night. Service is attentive and friendly, even when the place is busy.
Upstairs offers a different dynamic. The space is quieter, better for groups of four to six who want to claim a table and settle in. The lighting is warmer and the noise level drops enough to hold a real conversation. It's worth asking for a table up there if one is available.
Compared to Diesel Nacional's rock bar energy or La Costilla de Adan's bohemian intimacy, Hallwright's fills the niche of a proper pub where the quality of the beer and the ease of meeting people are the main attractions.
The Neighborhood
Hallwright's sits on a quiet side street in Sopocachi, two blocks from Calle 20 de Octubre's bar strip. Diesel Nacional and La Costilla de Adan are within a five-minute walk. Several restaurants along Calle Sanchez Lima offer dinner options before heading to the pub. The tourist zone around Calle Sagarnaga is a 15-minute taxi ride away.
Getting There
A radio taxi from the tourist area near Calle Sagarnaga costs 15-20 BOB. From Zona Sur, expect 30-50 BOB. Walking from Plaza Avaroa takes about five minutes. The nearest teleferico station is a 15-minute walk, but timing is tricky for nightlife since the cable car shuts down before bars close.
Address
Calle Sanchez Lima 2229, Sopocachi, La Paz
Other Venues in Sopocachi
Diesel Nacional
Popular Sopocachi bar on Calle 20 de Octubre known for its rock and alternative music playlist, industrial-themed decor, and a young professional crowd that fills the space on weekend nights.
La Costilla de Adan
Cozy Sopocachi bar with dim lighting, rock music, and a bohemian crowd of artists, musicians, and university students. Known for cheap drinks and a laid-back atmosphere that encourages conversation.
Lorca
Intimate cocktail lounge named after the Spanish poet, serving creative mixed drinks in a refined setting with exposed brick walls and soft jazz in the background. A step up from the neighborhood's casual bars.
Mongo's Rock Bottom
Late-night bar and live music venue popular with backpackers and younger Bolivians. The dance floor fills up after midnight on weekends with a mix of rock, reggaeton, and cumbia.
Etno Cafe
Cultural cafe and live music venue hosting traditional Andean performances, poetry readings, and folk music nights. A quieter alternative to the louder bars, with a menu of Bolivian dishes and coca-based cocktails.