In the past, Colombo's bar scene was frustratingly
short on choice. But in the last two years, fuelled
by a growing going-out culture amongst the young,
several new bars have opened and there are now a
handful of good options to suit a variety of tastes.
Sri Lankans love bar-hopping and a typical evening
out will include a handful of destinations. Live
music is often available between Thursday and Sunday
Bradman Bar
Cricket Club Café
34, Queens Road,
Off Duplication Road
Tel: 250 1384
The most popular theme bar in town. The ambience
breathes cricket with memorabilia, videos, and framed
international shirts and is popular with cricket
lovers and non-cricket clients alike. The prices
of drinks and western-style bar food are reasonable
and of a consistently high standard. A particularly
attractive proposition for those yearning for their
favourite pub back home.
Glow Bar
3rd Floor, Automobile Association Building,
42A, Sir Mohamed Marcan Marker Mawatha, Colombo
3.
Tel: 4714666
Sri Lanka’s trendiest bar, packed over the
weekend with Sri Lanka’s Under 30’s
party crowd. A place to see and be seen. But despite
being lively you can still make conversation. A
modern, minimalist design. Arrive early if you want
a seat. Friendly staff and reasonable prices. Regular
theme nights and happy hour is from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Rhythm and Blues
19/1, Daisy Villa Avenue, Duplication Road, Colombo
4.
Tel: 5363859
Brilliant bar, small but moody, with a lively atmosphere
into the early hours. Favoured club of Colombo musicians
and live music is played six nights a week. Has
four pool tables and outdoor seating. If anyone
ever uttered the words: "Play it again, Sam,’’
in Colombo, it would probably be here.
Hippos
112, New Bullers Road, Colombo 04.
Tel: 2596883
Hippos is a bar as well as a café and serves
generous portions. Along with a stylish bar it has
comfortable sofas to stretch your legs and relax.
Happy hour is from 8 pm to 10 pm on Thu/Wed and
live music is played on selected days.
Zanzibar
1st & 2nd Floor, Huejay Court 32B,
1/1 Sir MohamedMacanMarkar Mw.,Colombo 03.
Tel: 2446589
A new and welcome addition to Colombo’s bar
scene (it also has a restaurant). A quieter and
more sophisticated atmosphere to the Glow, it’s
neighbour, the bar has live jazz, soul and classic
rock on Wed, Fri & Sat nights. Can get crowded
on Fri and Sat nights with pre-clubbing drinkers.
Cheers
Colombo Plaza, Colombo 3
Tel: 2437437
Another new addition having replaced the exclusive
Colombo Club. Housed downstairs, the wood-panelled
bar-cum-restaurant would not look out of place in
the House of Commons. Very popular with the expatriate
crowd. Also boasts an all-day fried breakfast and
popular Sunday Carvery. Has an excellent pool table
and a full-size snooker table.
Bistro Latino
Duplication Road, Colombo 5
Tel: 2580063
A small Mexican bar off Duplication Road, close
to Rhythm and Blues. A must-visit for salsa dancers.
Offers free dance classes for diners on Tue, Fri
and Sat. Great Margaritas. Friendly and fun atmosphere.
White Horse
2 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2
Tel: 2304922
The White Horse has a long history. The new re-located
White Horse has a more modern feel but the clientele
remains young and lively, fuelled by inexpensive
drinks and the excitement of a long night out. Gets
very busy over the weekend when the crowd spills
out onto the street. Quiet and moody during the
week – ideal for a private beer.
Inn on the Green
Galle Road, Colombo 3
Tel: 2239440
A traditional English bar,
leased from the Galle Face Hotel, Inn On The Green
offers the only draught bitter in town as well as
an impressive selection of imported beers. Walkers
crisps also make a surprise appearance, but they
burn a hole in your pocket. Despite being themed
as an ‘English Pub’ it has avoided becoming
a haven for expatriate bores and is well-worth a
visit. The food has less to commend it.
Clancy's
Colombo Cricket Club (CCC), Colombo 6
Tel: 2682945/2683809
It might seem strange that the liveliest atmosphere
on a Colombo weekend can take place in a cricket
club bar, but that is the case at Clancy's. Fridays
and Saturdays can pull in a fun-loving crowd, with
less studied urban cool than at bars like Glow,
and eager to party to live music deep into the early
hours.
