Where night life culture is still frowned upon, there's a new pub in D-Town. One can't walk down Chhata Chowk without noticing Happy Hour Pub as it is right smack on the road and highlighted with red flags that spell Happy Hour. As you climb up the stairs, you'll be greeted with the sound of soft music in the background, people playing Jenga and nothing but bamboo décor. That's what Bikram Palikhey, 33, decided on. "Sustainability and to be in touch with nature." Palikhey explains his motive behind the bamboo.
Only into its fourth week, Happy Hour is slowly beginning to attract customers and Palikhey is happy. As far as he is concerned, he wants it to be a cozy intimate environment where Dharanes can pop in and relax over a drink. "I want the conversation to flow all night. Talk to me while I'm pouring a drink or clearing the glasses off a table. Let there be no uncomfortable moments."
Whether it's the Cosmopolitans with handcrafted orange liqueur that people are raving about or the minimalistic yet gorgeous décor, Palikhey has got the atmosphere right and this will not be the first and only time, you'll be hearing about Happy Hour.
Karma Coffee
ROSHANI ADHIKARY
I love discovering my new favorite thing. It's the perfect way to start a conversation with a fresh vibe when you would normally have nothing original to talk about. This week I've been raving about quite possibly the best combination in all of Patan. My two loves Yoga and coffee are right next to one another. In the Moksh Complex (Lalitpur) you can find a Himalayan Java coffeehouse and the Pranamaya Yoga Studio within mere meters of one another. Now, however, there is a new coffee spot located two floors directly above Pranamaya. Karma Coffee is a quaint corner where the local community unites over good conversation and freshly brewed coffee.
Less than two months old, this initially one-woman operation is gaining momentum at such a rapid pace there are now two baristas and several volunteer assistants who grind coffee beans fresh before each serving.
It all began when Birgit Lienhart-Gyawali, an unassuming Austrian expat wanted to leave her work as a Development Consultant. In 2010 she began visiting coffee farms in Nepal. One in Begnas, run by an old married couple especially caught her attention. "The man was a Brahma culture guru of sorts and the farm felt so peaceful, I knew I wanted to work with them," Gyawali says with a spark in her eyes.
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As Founding Director of Karma Trading Gyawali began trading Nepali coffee beans in Austria and Germany,and now, two years later, she is hoping to develop a brand with "Karma Coffee." What's unique to Karma Coffee is the pricing. It is completely open. People pay as they wish and the donations go right back into replenishing the beans for the next day. "I wanted local Nepali people in and around the Moksh complex to experience good, quality coffee at an affordable price. This building has such creative people; it was a shame to see so many different artists walk by one another without exchanging a single word. I figured coffee would bring us all together and we could talk, get to know one another; build a sense of community."
Customers love the idea of donating whatever they feel like. Especially since Gyawali does not place judgement on nominal contributions, in fact she's quite the contrary. Some people feel obligated to give unnecessarily high donations. For such patrons a standard fee of 30 rupees was created by Gyawali to avoid any awkwardness, "I just want to be able to sustain this place, excess profit is not the goal. I also don't want people to feel they must overly compensate because we stress on Karma so the 30 rupee-deal seemed appropriate."
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Less than one week into the opening of Karma Coffee, the pint-sized founder realized she wasn't the only one with a similar dream. People from all walks of life littered the balcony area, sitting on handwoven stools and mats talking to one another about their days going. On an average day you can run into anyone from rockstar and business mogul Nirakar Yakthumba of the group 1974 A.D to a sweaty yoga practitioner to a working class Nepali person from across the courtyard to an Aussie extreme sports aficionado visiting from next door's Initiative Outdoors. It certainly is a community that is reflective of the ever transient populace of the greater Kathmandu area.
The flower pots that line the balcony are decorated with used coffee filters which Gyawali recyles, creating lampshades. The ground coffee beans from the filters are discarded directly onto the plants as they make for great, natural compost. Adjacent to it is a showroom full of all things coffee-related. Using waste coffee beans Gyawali is creating "coffee paper" to ship batches of beans. The Nepali-made ceramic mugs and coffee filters are also beautiful.
Speaking with Gyawali it's hard not to fall in love with her project. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her personality perseverant. When I asked her about the biggest obstacle she has faced so far, she was very pragmatic in her response. "The coffee industry in Nepal is relatively new. Farmers are less interested in quality because they see the money-making aspect. It is necessary that proper training occurs so recognition of good quality beans takes place."
Whether you prefer your coffee light with cream or black and strong, the benefits of coffee are great for all! When consumed in moderation, it can offer anti-oxidants that are vital for good health. Coffee tends to perk people's energy levels up and often clears the mind. Knowing that the beans offered at Karma Coffee are locally harvested, it is wonderful because with each sip comes a feeling of solidarity with the farmers.
If you're not in the area, you can visit www.madeinnepal.com for further information, otherwise doors are open Monday-Friday a little after 9am till 5pm. Next time you're in the area, stop by for a beverage that's certain to be good till the last drop.
