Bamiyan Nightlife

Ok, so let's not get too excited but yes, there is alchol available in Bamiyan -- in the bazaar in the black market (you must use the code names of famous people to identify which liquor you want) and in the recently re-opened Buddah Bar.

The first Buddah Bar was operated by ICRC and closed in 2003, after the last expat left. Now, Global Securiy, the gang of ex-soldiers and ruffians who give security to UNAMA's electoral registration teams, have re-opened a new Buddah Bar - complete with a brick mini rendition of the large buddah, masonry into the bar, itself.

There are carpets to lay on, a nice decorations. Drinks cost $3 a piece. No local Afghans are allowed inside, due to cultural and religious sensitivities.

The bar is open only on Thursday nights and really only gets going around 10pm. There is no curfew in Bamiyan, but most of the regulars come from the bar's own neighboorhood.

You heard it here, first.

Dress Code: No special dress, along as its conservative to Afghan standards. Be ready to chat it up with the usual cast of characters from the UN -- security guys, program officers, electoral workers, and folks from the various other non-governmental organizations and the occassional BBC journalist or vagabond from Kabul.