In Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, it is rare to see young people during the day. Unless, right after the school exams. When not in school, Bhutanese youth hang out in video game parlors, make TikTok videos at the Clock Tower, and those no longer in school, stay in, conserving energy for a night out. I remember having this habit myself and see it in younger generations of today. One could argue that the Bhutanese way of life, often termed “slow” by both locals and outsiders, reflects in this simple practice.
Bhutan Nightlife: Then vs. Now
Mojo Park used to be one of the most happening places in town. All age groups, including locals and internationals gathered there. During its height of popularity, it appeared in documentaries about Bhutan, and bands such as the Baby Boomers, including metal heads, and traditional Bhutanese singers all performed at the venue. I remember having a drunken-state conversation with the owner, saying to him something along the lines of “I am not into married men. Don’t worry.” In retrospect, it was a silly remark, but it speaks to how intimate the nightlife scene was—where conversations like this could take place.
Before the era of Mojo Park, western music like Rock & Roll played a crucial part “modernizing” Bhutan’s youth, and launching its nightlife. My own mother hung a poster of James Dean and Elvis in her bedroom.
Currently, there are more bars than I know of. Plus, many say that that generation Z, today’s youth population, don’t drink and go clubbing as much as previous generations, which is great. My own sister, who is in her late teens, prefers to be home, or do a staycation. Despite that, places like Avenue 28, Alchemy, and Beer Garden, have used social media to try and upend that trend.
Last month, I had the most fun when I headed out to Alchemy, Thimphu’s newest bar. Even their opening hours are liberal (6 PM – 3 AM). In fact, I remember seeing the owner from my Mojo Park days. Maybe those years of going out served as practice or education. Since it was Thursday, Karaoke was an option and toward the end of the night, I recited my poems.
At Beer Garden, I liked the vast space to choose from, and the quiet ambience when I went on a weekday. The increasing number of nightlife venues in Bhutan signals a cultural shift in Bhutan.
During my parents’ time, clubbing was often looked down upon. I remember hearing stories about how women, in particular, faced berating and demeaning names for going out. With my own mother, I had a tough time convincing her, and that could have been the reason why it was so exciting to go out in the first-place.
While attitudes toward nightlife have changed overall, clubbing can still be seen as dangerous. Most recently, a young TikToker tragically took their own life after a night out. It could be for reasons like this, and due to the growing influence of digital platforms like TikTok- that have led many in the younger generation to prefer staying in over going out.
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