Bolivia's Route 36: A World-Renowned Adventure

Bolivia's Route 36 is an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia, and the world's first cocaine bar. Although cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine have resulted in Route 36 becoming a popular destination for thousands of drug tourists each year. The bar constantly changes its location, which it spreads via word of mouth, to avoid complaints from nearby business owners or residents.

Bolivia's Route 36 is the world's first cocaine bar

The only way to get to Route 36 is by taxi. After being dropped off in an undisclosed location, patrons must enter through a metal curtain and go up a dark and dusty stairwell. Once inside, they are greeted by a dimly lit room with tables and a bar. The cocaine is served by the gram on a metal tray with a straw and costs around $15-25 per gram. The bar also serves basic cocktails and beer.

Route 36 has been able to stay in business for at least 12 years due to corruption and bribery. The bar owners pay off the police and local authorities to look the other way, and they also change the location every few weeks to avoid detection. The bar is aimed exclusively at foreign tourists, and no Bolivians are allowed inside. Many customers learn about the bar through obscure travel websites and word-of-mouth promotion.

Despite the risks and illegal nature of the establishment, Route 36 remains a popular destination for drug tourists looking to indulge in high-purity cocaine at affordable prices. The bar's notoriety has even earned it a mention in The Guardian, further solidifying its reputation as the world's first cocaine bar.

It is an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia

Route 36 is an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia, and, according to The Guardian, the world's first cocaine bar. Although cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, the country is the third-largest producer of coca leaves, the plant from which cocaine is derived. Political corruption and the affordability of locally produced cocaine have resulted in Route 36 becoming a popular destination for thousands of drug tourists each year.

The bar is difficult to find and changes location every few weeks or months to avoid detection. Its location is passed on by word of mouth, and only a small number of taxi drivers know where it is. To enter, customers go through an inconspicuous iron door and up a dirty staircase. Inside, tourists crowd into a dimly lit lounge, where they can purchase small amounts of cocaine along with cocktails. The cocaine is served openly at the bar or brought directly to tables by the hostess.

The bar is known to bribe the police to avoid being shut down, and it does not allow Bolivians to enter to reduce the risk of police informants or journalists. Customers are also not allowed to use their phones to prevent photos of the bar from being shared on social media.

The existence of Route 36 is due in part to the liberal policies of Bolivian President Evo Morales, who legalised the cultivation of coca leaves in the 1980s and has defended its medicinal and nutritional qualities. While Morales has argued that coca is not cocaine, Bolivia's cocaine exports have risen steadily, and it is estimated that a significant portion of the coca leaves produced in Bolivia end up in the hands of drug traffickers.

It is hidden and only a small number of taxi drivers know its location

Bolivia's Route 36 is an illegal lounge bar in La Paz, Bolivia, and the world's first cocaine bar. The bar is hidden and only a small number of taxi drivers know its location. This is because the address changes every few weeks or months to avoid complaints from nearby residents and business owners. The bar is also known to bribe the police to avoid being discovered.

The bar is difficult to find and only a few taxi drivers know where it is. These taxi drivers wait outside hostels like Wild Rover or Loki, and they are the best option for those looking to find the bar. Once at the location, customers enter through an unassuming corrugated iron door and are quickly ushered inside and up a dirty staircase.

The bar is described as a dimly lit room with worn-out sofas and small wooden coffee tables. Tourists crowd the space, becoming more talkative as they consume more drugs. The owner, a middle-aged woman, serves cheap basic cocktails and hands out small packets of cocaine, CD cases, and plastic straws. A DJ plays dubstep under the dim lights of a disco ball, and the dance floor fills with sweaty bodies.

The clientele at Route 36 is mostly tourists looking for cheap thrills and a high quantity of cocaine at low prices. The cocaine is served openly at the bar, and the bar attracts thousands of drug tourists each year due to the affordability and easy accessibility of locally produced cocaine. The bar is also promoted through travel websites and word-of-mouth.

It is popular with drug tourists and backpackers

Bolivia is the world's third-largest producer of coca leaves, which are used to make cocaine. Although cocaine is illegal in Bolivia, the affordability of locally produced cocaine and political corruption have made Route 36 a popular destination for drug tourists and backpackers.

Route 36 is an illegal, after-hours lounge in La Paz, Bolivia, and the world's first cocaine bar. The bar is aimed exclusively at foreign tourists looking to indulge in some high-purity cocaine. The bar is not allowed to operate in the same location for more than a few weeks at a time to avoid complaints from nearby business owners or residents. Its location can only be found through taxi drivers, obscure travel websites, or word-of-mouth information.

The bar is well-known for its low prices, with a gram of cocaine costing between $14 and $25, which is much cheaper than anywhere else in the world. The cocaine is also reported to be of above-average quality.

The lounge is dimly lit, with worn-out sofas and small coffee tables. Tourists crowd into the bar, becoming more talkative as they ingest more cocaine. A DJ plays dubstep under the dim lights of a disco ball, and a middle-aged woman stands behind the bar, serving cocktails and small bags of cocaine.

The bar constantly changes locations, and the police are bribed to look the other way. The entrance fee is typically around 25 to 50 Bolivianos (about $3.50 to $5), and only foreign tourists are allowed inside.

It has remained open due to political corruption and bribery

Bolivia's Route 36, an illegal after-hours lounge in La Paz, has remained open due to political corruption and bribery. Bolivia has a long history of political instability and corruption, with widespread poverty contributing to poor governance. The country's judiciary, police, and public administration are perceived as the most corrupt sectors, and bribery is a common occurrence.

Route 36 has been able to operate due to corruption within the police force. The lounge's owners pay monthly bribes to the police, who turn a blind eye to its existence despite the negative impact on the country's reputation. The police force has been implicated in drug trafficking, with officers accepting payoffs to facilitate shipments and even directly participating in the trade.

Political corruption at the highest levels has also contributed to a culture of impunity. For example, in 2022, a former Bolivian government minister, Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder bribes he received in exchange for helping a US company secure a lucrative contract with the Bolivian Ministry of Defense.

Additionally, the current president, Evo Morales, has been accused of complicity in the drug trade. While Morales has improved transparency and reduced corruption, the country remains highly corrupt, and the government continues to exert control over the economy, creating more opportunities for corruption. The affordability of locally produced cocaine, due to relaxed agricultural regulations, has also played a role in keeping Route 36 in business.

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