Durbar Marg, the broad boulevard that cuts through the heart of Kathmandu, has a new address worth noting. It’s here that Minakshi Singh and Yangdup Lama have opened The Old House, a cocktail bar poised to become a pilgrimage site for lovers of fine drinks. With Singh and Lama at the helm, expectations are not just high—they’re almost guaranteed.
Meet the Founders of The Old House
The Old House marks the fourth collaboration between Singh and Lama, following the success of Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy, The Brook, and Sidecar—the latter a regular presence in the upper echelons of bar rankings across India, Asia, and the world, with a place on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Their partnership also extends to Vikram Achanta, with whom they co-founded India Bartender Week, first held in February 2025 and already a benchmark for the region.
Newari Soul and a Timeless Tree
The name The Old House carries intention. Singh and Lama sought to channel “the old-world charm of Newar culture”—a nod to the indigenous Newa community of the Valley.
The interiors evoke a cinematic Kathmandu from the 1970s and ’80s, with tactile layers of wood, handwoven tapestries, clay tiles, and yellow ochre finishes. Behind the bar, eight Bhairab masks peer from individual alcoves—symbols of protection meant to ward off dark spirits, deeply rooted in Newari belief systems.
Just outside, a banyan tree—its aerial roots draping downward in soft defiance of time—presides over the space. The ficus benghalensis, India’s national tree, adds a mythic dimension to the setting: grounding, generous, impossible to ignore.
The Old House Menu
When it came to crafting the drink list, Singh and Lama chose not to reinvent the wheel but to polish it. The menu pays homage to the best of Sidecar, Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy, and The Brook. Expect signatures like Zing Thing, Cilantro, Foghorn, and Duk Ley.
The menu also features thoughtfully prepared non-alcoholic offerings, made with the region’s finest produce, alongside a curated selection of local teas and coffee. The kitchen is led by Dhendup Lama, who twitst classic Newari dishes through a modern, light-handed lens, offering what he calls “a refreshed narrative” that remains deeply tethered to the soul of Kathmandu’s cuisine.
The Founders’ Reflections
Unsurprisingly, both Singh and Lama speak of The Old House with a mix of pride and emotion. For Lama, who was born in Darjeeling and traces his roots to Nepal, the project is personal. “I’ve always felt a special connection to this region—its rich heritage and beautiful ingredients. The Old House feels like coming home, and I can’t wait to share our craft with everyone here.”
Singh, meanwhile, sees continuity in spirit: “It has the same relaxed atmosphere our guests love in our other bars, enhanced by a dreamlike setting, beautiful interiors, and amazing live music. I’m sure you’ll love it just as much as we loved creating it.”
Images courtesy of The Old House
