Sam's Bar
Long-running Thamel institution popular with backpackers for cheap drinks, pool tables, and a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people.
Other Venues in Thamel
Club OMG
Thamel's largest nightclub with a proper dance floor, DJ booth, and weekend events that draw both tourists and young Nepalis.
Purple Haze Rock Bar
Kathmandu's best-known rock venue, hosting local bands nightly in a Jimi Hendrix-themed space that has anchored Thamel's live music scene for over two decades.
Funky Buddha
Compact bar on a Thamel side street with a younger crowd, affordable cocktails, and music loud enough to dance to without a formal dance floor.
Tom & Jerry's
Tourist-friendly pub with a roof terrace, Western comfort food, and a relaxed vibe that makes it a reliable starting point for a Thamel night.
LOD - Lord of the Drinks
Upscale by Thamel standards, LOD mixes cocktail lounge ambitions with live music nights and a crowd that skews slightly older and better dressed than the backpacker bars.
Himalayan Java Jazz Bar
Jazz-focused venue connected to the Himalayan Java coffee chain, offering live performances in a more refined setting than Thamel's rock bars.