Bars & Nightlife

Nightlife in Kathmandu revolves mainly around the area of Thamel, where backpackers and hip locals can be seen frequenting the trendiest bars and nightclubs in the city, some of which have live music. Though music in public places is forbidden after 10pm, many of these places manage to keep it going until later. More upscale establishments can be found in big hotels. Additionally, cultural centres and some high-end restaurants offer traditional dance shows.

Copyright: anna-m. w./pexels.com

LOD — Lord of the Drinks

LOD regarded as is the biggest and loudest club in Kathmandu. The club is frequented by local celebrities, VIPs, VVIPs. Even Nepal's ex-royal family visits this club for their weekend …

Read more

Copyright: Sam Moghadam Khamseh/unsplash.com

Moksh Bar

Moksh is a popular music venue and, allegedly, a destination for a more "posh" and "refined" crowd. It's a whole new concept for art, music, and food lovers. Every Tuesday and Friday you can catch a music show here. The bar is built like an extension to an existing building in the form of a …

Read more

Copyright: Andrew Eland/cc by-sa 2.0/Flickr

Rum Doodle

The ceiling of Rum Doodle is covered with foot-shaped notes, left there by every Mt Everest summiteer who has visited the bar. One of the most iconic bars in the city and a real hub for the mountaineers since the 70s. Come for a drink and stay for the home-style food and the atmosphere …

Read more

Copyright: F8 studio / Shutterstock.com

Tom & Jerry Pub

A long-standing favourite among backpackers and trekkers, Tom & Jerry is a rowdy and noisy little place that doesn't lack for charm. Groups of trekkers make it lively after weeks of traversing the mountains, and for the more relaxed crowd, there are pool tables on the second …

Read more

Copyright: thanosquest / Shutterstock.com

New Orleans Cafe

For a bit of live music, be sure to visit New Orleans. It is an extremely popular place for a drink due to its intimate vibe set to candlelight and soft tunes, and the courtyard hosts live blues and rock covers almost every night. The far-reaching menu has excellent and varied options, too. Book …

Read more

Copyright: xmee / Shutterstock.com

Electric Pagoda Bar & Cafe

Quickly becoming one of the best places to eat, drink, and party in Nepal, Electric Pagoda provides a great environment for travellers. The primarily Mexican-inspired menu is top-notch, the bar is fully stocked with international spirits, and the resident DJs pump out an eclectic mix to satisfy all tastes. The courtyard is green, the …

Read more

Copyright: lapandr / Shutter

Jai Nepal Cinema Hall

For a more relaxed evening, the Jai Nepal Cinema offers a convenient option for cinema-lovers. The selection is usually limited to Bollywood movies (mostly Hindi, but also some local Nepali films) with no English audio or subtitles, but that only makes it a more interesting experience, and it takes nothing away from enjoying the …

Read more