Purple Haze Rock Bar – Savior of Live Music in Nepal
Purple Haze Rock Bar is a celebrated name amidst the rock & metal music enthusiasts, as well as admirers of live music in Nepal. Since its inception in 2011, the brand has consistently aspired to offer electrifying experience to its customers through performances from promising local bands and quality bar service. While there are several bars operating in close proximity in Thamel, Purple Haze Rock Bar has created a distinct identity as a go-to brand for rock music lovers and musicians alike.
Although the music market in Nepal has largely shifted towards Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and digital music in recent years, there is a niche of passionate audience that prefers rock & metal music, which the bar has successfully captivated. This success of Purple Haze is largely attributed to the use of innovative business strategies which have collectively worked to influence customer perception. Some of the strategies are highlighted below:
Brand Name
The name “Purple Haze” itself holds a very symbolic inference to the avid consumers of rock music. Many associate the name with a fallacy that it originated from a strain of cannabis plant in Himalayan region of Mustang. However, purple haze is a song by the legendary musician “Jimi Hendrix”, which is cherished by rock music listeners throughout the world. The name insinuates an affinity to the rock genre, through which the brand has created a psychological and emotional connection with the audience.
Exemplary Platform for Local Musicians
Prior to the existence of Purple Haze, even the most promising of the local bands had to go through arduous efforts to transport their equipment to bars located in Thamel. Most bars lacked essential equipment for producing quality sound and the performing band was deemed responsible for bringing the entire band equipment. Furthermore, bands were allocated a clustered space for their performance with very little space for movement. In this regard, Purple Haze revolutionized a platform for local musicians and built a spacious stage equipped with a modern sound system and several equipment. The only equipment musicians were expected to bring was guitar. Ultimately, Purple Haze acknowledged that performance of musicians is a driving factor in attracting and retaining customers.
Interior Architecture
When it was established, Purple Haze was the first of its kind in terms of interior architecture. The establishment consisted of a large hall with copious space for the audience as well. This was a relatively new concept as other bars were mostly located in a single flat with seating arrangements across a number of rooms. This served as a major distinction point for the bar as customers were availed with enough space for movement without becoming a hindrance for the operation of staffs.
Gigs & Events
Occasionally, Purple Haze also turned its venue into a “Headbangers Ball” by allowing musical events of unorthodox, or some would say “extreme” nature. The music audience of Kathmandu consists of a niche which has preference for the notorious genre known as “extreme metal”. Although very less in number, the extreme metal audience is known for passionately promoting and attending such forms of events. Furthermore, the bar has also hosted the likes of “Chris Adler” and “Eric Martin” which are big names in the international rock & metal music industry and bound to further strengthen its brand image. Purple Haze established itself as an ideal location for conducting such events and also a major promoter of rock as well as metal music in Kathmandu.
All in all, Purple Haze has grown over the years to create a distinct image of not only a business institution, but also a promoter of live music and rock as well as metal music. All other businesses alike, the corona pandemic has severely impacted upon the well-being of the bar. However, upliftment of restrictions is bound to further grow the brand’s business in the years to come as the brand “Purple Haze” has a strong recognition as a go-to brand for live music in Kathmandu.
