By late afternoon the light comes off Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range sharpens behind it. Along the shore at Lakeside, the walking path fills with trekkers back from the hills, and the little pubs and bars start tuning up for the evening.
Pokhara's nightlife is shaped by that backpacker atmosphere and by the lake itself. Lakeside is where most of it happens: live music, bars and clubs within walking distance of the guesthouses. It suits people who want an easy, sociable evening rather than a big-city club scene, and it is worth knowing that some venues cater to local male crowds rather than a mixed one.
Where to go out in Pokhara
1. Lakeside
Lakeside, the strip along Phewa Lake, is the main going-out area and the best place to find live music. A walk along the shore reveals many little pubs and bars with bands, and busking musicians who can be genuinely talented and add local flavour.
It suits anyone who wants to drift between venues on foot. Expect overpriced drinks in the lakeside bars, and note that Busy Bee Cafe, which frequently has a live local band, is often described as among the most overpriced on the strip.
2. North Lakeside clubs
Pokhara's club scene is small and uneven. Most clubs are dominated by local men, or are "girl dance" bars where the only women are staff paid to dance and then ask male patrons to buy them drinks.
If you want a club with a mixed crowd, Catwalk Club beside the amusement park in North Lakeside is noted as the exception, with female patrons. It plays electronic music with local or Nepali DJs, has a powerful sound system, and charges western-style prices, including drinks over Rs 1,000. The source does not confirm that these venues are still operating, so check locally before you go.
3. Lakeside cafes and spa venues
For a quieter evening, several Lakeside places run yoga, meditation or spa sessions alongside food and drink. Jiva Cafe & Spa, on the Phewa Lake walking path behind Busy Bee, offers yoga, meditation and zumba classes plus treatments, and lists hours of 09:00–19:00.
Calmness Day Spa on Street No. 13-Lakeside lists 10:00–22:00, and Nextdoor Spa at Hallanchowk lists 09:00–23:00. These suit an early, restorative night rather than a late one.
4. Live music pubs along the shore
The live music scene here is casual and constant rather than scheduled around big names. Bands play in small pubs and bars along the Lakeside shore, and the atmosphere is informal and walk-in friendly.
This suits a low-commitment evening: pick a bar, listen for a while, move on. Drink prices along the strip are high by local standards, so budget accordingly.
5. Tibetan settlements
Pokhara has four Tibetan settlements, Jampaling, Paljorling, Tashi Ling and Tashi Palkhel, each with a gompa, a chorten and its own architecture. They are daytime destinations rather than nightlife, but they give an evening's plan a different character if you visit late in the day.
This suits travellers interested in the city's Tibetan community rather than bars. A bike ride out to the settlement near the airport passes a monastery, a school and craft stalls, with an uphill return to the lake area.
6. Sarangkot and the surrounding hills
The hills above the valley are where Full Moon Trance Parties are held during the warmer months. Details and schedules circulate by word of mouth, so ask around locally.
This suits people who want a night out that is also a trip out of town. The source warns that some festivals have published fake line-ups, so check with the artists before committing.
How a night out unfolds
The sources describe Pokhara's nightlife in general terms rather than by the clock. Live music and bars along Lakeside run into the evening, clubs such as Catwalk play every night, and spa venues close between 19:00 and 23:00 depending on the place. Beyond that, the sources do not specify when people eat, when they head out, or how late things run, so treat timings as flexible and confirm locally.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Dipawali — the Hindu festival of lights and worshipping of Laxmi, in October or November.
- Holi — the festival of colour, heavily celebrated with concerts and musical events at Lakeside.
- Street Festival — held every year from 27 December to 2 January, when thousands gather on Lakeside street; one of the biggest festivals in the valley.
- Full Moon Trance Parties — in the surrounding hills during the warmer months; ask around for details.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to find live music?
Lakeside. A walk along the shore reveals many little pubs and bars with bands, plus busking musicians.
What are Pokhara's clubs like?
Most are dominated by local men or operate as "girl dance" bars. Catwalk Club in North Lakeside is noted as the exception, with female patrons and electronic music.
What local drinks are worth trying?
Local beer such as Gurkha or Everest, and home brews: chang, a slightly sour, earthy rice or millet beer; roxi, a stronger fermentation of chang; and three panni roxi, which is very strong.
When is a good time to be in Pokhara for festivals?
Dipawali falls in October or November, Holi is heavily celebrated at Lakeside, and the Street Festival runs from 27 December to 2 January.
Check what is on along Lakeside for your dates, then plan an evening that starts by the water and ends wherever the music takes you.