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Best Nightlife in Kathmandu (2026)

Kathmandu's nightlife has two sides. Thamel is the traditional centre, where Purple Haze Rock Bar has hosted Nepali and international rock bands since 2011 and Reggae Bar has had live music every night for close to two decades. In Lazimpat, Jazz Upstairs has been the home of the city's jazz scene since around the turn of the millennium and gave birth to the Jazzmandu festival, with live bands on its regular music nights.

The newer story is cocktails. Barc in Tripureshwor became the first Nepali bar on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list in 2024 and builds drinks around local ingredients such as aila, timur pepper and khattu plum. Bitters & Co in Lazimpat makes its own bitters and uses Nepali citrus, while The Old House on Durbar Marg pairs a cocktail list by the Indian bartender Yangdup Lama with Newari bar food. Thamel's bars and clubs stay open late, so take a taxi between districts at night, and check events and opening days in advance, as some bars close one day a week.

6 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 nightlife in Kathmandu

  1. Barc Speakeasy cocktail bar, TripureshworA speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Tripureshwor and the first Nepali bar on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, known for drinks built on local fruit, spices and spirits.
  2. The Old House Cocktail bar and Newari kitchen, Durbar MargA Durbar Marg cocktail bar under a century-old banyan tree, with drinks by the Indian bartender Yangdup Lama and a Newari-inspired menu.
  3. Bitters & Co Cocktail bar, LazimpatA Lazimpat cocktail bar that makes its own bitters and uses Nepali citrus, with a smoked Old Fashioned and clarified milk punch among its drinks.

Bar

1. Barc

Speakeasy cocktail bar$$$Tripureshwor

A speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Tripureshwor and the first Nepali bar on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, known for drinks built on local fruit, spices and spirits.

View details — Barc

Bar

2. The Old House

Cocktail bar and Newari kitchen$$$Durbar Marg

A Durbar Marg cocktail bar under a century-old banyan tree, with drinks by the Indian bartender Yangdup Lama and a Newari-inspired menu.

View details — The Old House

Bar

3. Bitters & Co

Cocktail bar$$$Lazimpat

A Lazimpat cocktail bar that makes its own bitters and uses Nepali citrus, with a smoked Old Fashioned and clarified milk punch among its drinks.

View details — Bitters & Co

Bar

5. Reggae Bar

Live music bar$$Thamel

One of Thamel's oldest live music bars, with bands every night, a mixed crowd of locals and travellers, and seasonal cocktail menus.

View details — Reggae Bar