Email  Print

Kathmandu Corner gets music permit

Music will be the latest offering from Taste of the Himalayas with its newly reestablished Kathmandu Corner. On Thursday, the Sonoma Planning Commission approved a live music permit for the popular restaurant’s backroom, which has been remodeled to improve sound quality.

Under the permit, the restaurant can host live music from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. It is something owner Chhiring Sherpa has long wanted to bring to his Sonoma establishment. He actually began booking live music in the Kathmandu Corner more than a year ago, unaware of the permit requirements.

“When we first converted the place from a shop to a restaurant, I didn’t know I needed to get a special permit from the county,” Chhiring said, explaining that because the back room is technically a separate physical address, he had to apply for a new permit from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to serve beer and wine there. He also needed the approval of the planning commission, which has a new policy of providing temporary live music permits that the Kathmandu Corner obtained on Thursday.

“Now everything is done and we have lots of music planned,” Chhiring said. “We also have our full dinner menu back there, every night from 5 to 10 p.m. We’re also doing a really nice selection of local beers and wines at reasonable prices.”

Chhiring paired up with Valley musician David Ian Robbins to manage the bookings in the small room, which was upgraded with sound equipment to make the space more musician-friendly.

“People will be more inclined to play there because they don’t have the schlep their stuff, they can just plug in,” Robbins said. “It’s a close-knit, beer, wine and music place, kind of like a club.”

The Kathmandu Corner is best for singers, duos and trios, Robbins said, anything larger can crowd the room. This Friday, Dec. 21, Randy Cook can be heard with Antonio Mendez set to play Saturday and local talent Sarah Summers performing on Sunday.

“It’s just a nice, relaxed space to hear some music,” Robbins said. Those interested in booking a show can email Robbins at tambourineman2@comcast.net.

Located at 464 First St. E. in Sonoma, Taste of the Himalayas and its new Kathmandu Corner can be found in the alley across from Murphy’s Irish Pub.