Despite a claim by Paddy's pub in Cuzco in Peru,it remains that the world's highest Irish pub is the Wild Rover in La Paz, Bolivia. I visited there to relax away from the madness of La Paz!
The Wild Rover sits in the lofty high altitude of La Paz - its also a hostel so you can stay there and although I knew this beforehand, I didn't stay there but in nearby Loki Hostel. On the first floor of the hostel sits the world's highest Irish Pub. It was an amazing place to relax
The Wild Rover Backpackers doubles up as a tour agent, and indeed I booked a few of my trips within Bolivia from here. But you have to let things go when you travel as you never have time to cram them all in and I was happy to visit the world's highest football stadium (Estadio Hernando Siles) and the world's highest Irish pub as cheaper and worthy substitutes (itself probably not even the right word to use).
As a Northern Irishman it was nice to see a few Northern Irish mentions in the pub, Geordie Best made it onto the wall here in the world's highest Irish Bar. Amazing to see him feature there and it made me feel at home for a while!
I got a must have photo with my Northern Ireland flag - people always forget about us and always think of Ireland as one country. I love levelling things up.
Then as I sat down at the bar, I recognised the accent of the guy serving me! It was a strong Northern Irish accent! The first other Northern Irish person I had met in South America. Serving me an ice cold Pacena beer was Grant McParland, all the way from Carryduff in County Down, Norn Iron!!!
Grant serves me then comes to this side of the bar to join me for a beer and a chat.It's all a bit surreal! We talk about Tayto, Milky Ways, Gaelic football and Glentoran FC. Grant even puts on his County Down gaelic top!
Liverpool were also on TV so I caught a live football match from the UK (a rarity for me on my travels). They played Utrecht and I also spoke to a girl from Dublin who is a Liverpool fan.
Against the background of the Irish Tricolour flag, Grant and I got a few photos of my travelling Northern Ireland flag.
Grant even controlled the music while I was drinking there as he put his iPod as the dukebox! I also chatted away to Jack the manager about the possibility of working there in the future and really wanted it as an option. I've worked in Irish pubs in three different continents so would love to do a fourth!
Every night in the Wild Rover it totally does get wild! This is a party style pub and a lot of fun activities go on including shots, cocktails, dancing on the bars and mild nudity! You really forget that outside you are in one of the highest cities in the world!
I did a Slainte and Cheers with Grant - amazing having a beer with a guy from my homeland yet some 3,600 plus metres above sea level. No Guinness so it was Pacena the local stuff!
!
The pub is on a side street but you will notice it first and foremost as a backpackers hostel, once inside head up the stairs to the world's highest Irish Pub!
Situated on a random street and sinking deep into Bolivian mountains is where you find the Wild Rover and I have been to an Irish pub in 6 out of the 7 continents (didn't find on eon my trip to Antarctica).
A lifestyle of travel indeed and I loved every minute of my trip to The Wild Rover - the highest Irish Pub on the planet. Definitely a great place to relax and thanks to Grant the barman for serving me, chatting away, posing for flag photos and providing such awesome music and a fabulous travel experience!
Top of the world to ye!
The Wild Rover sits in the lofty high altitude of La Paz - its also a hostel so you can stay there and although I knew this beforehand, I didn't stay there but in nearby Loki Hostel. On the first floor of the hostel sits the world's highest Irish Pub. It was an amazing place to relax
The Wild Rover Backpackers doubles up as a tour agent, and indeed I booked a few of my trips within Bolivia from here. But you have to let things go when you travel as you never have time to cram them all in and I was happy to visit the world's highest football stadium (Estadio Hernando Siles) and the world's highest Irish pub as cheaper and worthy substitutes (itself probably not even the right word to use).
As a Northern Irishman it was nice to see a few Northern Irish mentions in the pub, Geordie Best made it onto the wall here in the world's highest Irish Bar. Amazing to see him feature there and it made me feel at home for a while!
I got a must have photo with my Northern Ireland flag - people always forget about us and always think of Ireland as one country. I love levelling things up.
Then as I sat down at the bar, I recognised the accent of the guy serving me! It was a strong Northern Irish accent! The first other Northern Irish person I had met in South America. Serving me an ice cold Pacena beer was Grant McParland, all the way from Carryduff in County Down, Norn Iron!!!
Grant serves me then comes to this side of the bar to join me for a beer and a chat.It's all a bit surreal! We talk about Tayto, Milky Ways, Gaelic football and Glentoran FC. Grant even puts on his County Down gaelic top!
Liverpool were also on TV so I caught a live football match from the UK (a rarity for me on my travels). They played Utrecht and I also spoke to a girl from Dublin who is a Liverpool fan.
Against the background of the Irish Tricolour flag, Grant and I got a few photos of my travelling Northern Ireland flag.
Grant even controlled the music while I was drinking there as he put his iPod as the dukebox! I also chatted away to Jack the manager about the possibility of working there in the future and really wanted it as an option. I've worked in Irish pubs in three different continents so would love to do a fourth!
Every night in the Wild Rover it totally does get wild! This is a party style pub and a lot of fun activities go on including shots, cocktails, dancing on the bars and mild nudity! You really forget that outside you are in one of the highest cities in the world!
I did a Slainte and Cheers with Grant - amazing having a beer with a guy from my homeland yet some 3,600 plus metres above sea level. No Guinness so it was Pacena the local stuff!
!
The pub is on a side street but you will notice it first and foremost as a backpackers hostel, once inside head up the stairs to the world's highest Irish Pub!
Situated on a random street and sinking deep into Bolivian mountains is where you find the Wild Rover and I have been to an Irish pub in 6 out of the 7 continents (didn't find on eon my trip to Antarctica).
A lifestyle of travel indeed and I loved every minute of my trip to The Wild Rover - the highest Irish Pub on the planet. Definitely a great place to relax and thanks to Grant the barman for serving me, chatting away, posing for flag photos and providing such awesome music and a fabulous travel experience!
Top of the world to ye!
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