Nightlife · Pokhara · Nepal
Pokhara nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Pokhara, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Pokhara's nightlife centres on Lakeside, with bars and restaurants playing live music, from Nepali rock to acoustic covers, and lakefront terraces. It is relaxed rather than wild, and most places wind down around midnight. The main areas are Central Lakeside and Lakefront terraces.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 2
- Stay near the action
- Lakeside
- Local drink
- Masala chiya
Where to go out
Central Lakeside
Bars with live bands and open-air terraces along the main Lakeside road, busiest in October and November.
Lakefront terraces
Restaurants and bars along the lakeshore path with fire pits and views of the water.
Nightlife tips
- Many bars close around midnight; check locally for late-opening venues.
- Live-music nights are listed on boards outside bars along Lakeside.
- Walk back along lit main roads or take a taxi late at night.
What to drink
- Masala chiya — Sweet milky tea boiled with cardamom, ginger and other spices, drunk throughout the day.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. May has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:34 | 7°C (45°F) | 2 |
| April | About 18:34 | 15°C (59°F) | 9 |
| July | About 19:08 | 21°C (70°F) | 28 |
| October | About 17:40 | 15°C (59°F) | 6 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Lakeside, North Lakeside and Damside are linked by the lakeshore road and paths; walking between them takes 15–30 minutes.
- Taxi — Agree the fare before getting in; ask your guesthouse for typical prices.
- Ride-hailing — Ride-hailing apps such as Pathao and inDrive operate in Pokhara, offering motorbike and car rides at lower prices than street taxis.
- Bus — Tourist buses connect Pokhara with Kathmandu (about 200 km, typically 6–8 hours) and Chitwan, and local buses run to Begnas and trailheads such as Nayapul.
Late-night bites
- Momo — Momo shops all over Pokhara, from Lakeside cafés to local eateries near Mahendrapul.
- Sekuwa — Grill restaurants in Lakeside and evening stalls in town.
- Sel roti — Street stalls and sweet shops, especially at festival time.
Staying safe at night
Choose licensed, insured operators for paragliding, rafting and trekking, and follow guide advice on weather and altitude on treks. Monsoon landslides can block roads and trails, and boats on Phewa Lake should only be used with life jackets.
- Emergency number
- 100 (police), 102 (ambulance), 1144 (Tourist Police)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and food lovers
Lakeside
Lakeside (Baidam) stretches for a couple of kilometres along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake and holds most of Pokhara's hotels, restaurants, bakeries, trekking agencies, gear shops and live-music bars. The lakefront path is good for walking, boats for Tal Barahi leave from the shore, and many rooms have mountain views from their roofs.
- Good
- Everything within walking distance; Huge choice of rooms at every price; Lakefront walks and boats
- Watch out
- Commercial and busy in peak season; Traffic on the main Lakeside road
- Nearby
- Phewa Lake, Tal Barahi Temple, Basundhara Park
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Pokhara?
Central Lakeside and Lakefront terraces. Bars with live bands and open-air terraces along the main Lakeside road, busiest in October and November.
+Which area of Pokhara is best for nightlife?
Lakeside: Guesthouses, cafés, trekking shops and bars along Phewa Lake's eastern shore.