A Friday night in Thamel. A full house bar, live music blaring, the band enjoying themselves and so are the guests, both tourists as well as locals. But just as the clock strikes midnight, the venue owners and staff get a tense look on their faces, last orders are called for and the band hurriedly announce their last song for the night. Even so, it would be a lucky day for bar owners. Most of the times, they would be forced to shut down well before midnight, as police sirens start blaring and the men-in-blue barge in.

 

“This has been a problem for a number of years now,” says a bar owner in Thamel who refused to be named. “I have been locked up for the night on a few occasions. My only fault—not making my guests leave my premises before the curfew began.” Most business owners around Thamel support him and allege the cops of destroying their business by imposing strict rules.

 

“We are only obeying orders,” the cops retort. “We are here to provide security and prevent any untoward incidents, and we do just that.” But they say they are also preparing for a 24-hour Thamel.

 

But will it really happen, and when? And will such a development be welcomed by all?

 

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