Nightlife in Colombo (Bars, Clubs, Casinos...)

BARS IN COLOMBO

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

Best Bars :

Bradman Bar

Cricket Club Cafe

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.

NIGHT CLUBS IN COLOMBO

Colombo's night clubbing scene is focused in the capital's five-star hotels. We have only featured three properties this year, but there also night clubs at the Taj Samudra (My Kind of Place) and the Grand Oriental Hotel (Blue Leopard) which are sometimes worth exploring. Entrance is often denied for large groups of single men. Avoid sandals and dress smartly. The night clubs rarely fill up until 1am and then rock until the early hours.

Top Spots :

The Blue Elephant

The Colombo Hilton, Echelon Square, Colombo 1, Fort.

Tel: 249 2061/254 4644

If there is one specific thing that the Colombo Hilton is famous for, it is The Blue Elephant. Undoubtedly the trendiest and most popular club in town, it is a place with lots of activity throughout the week such as Flite Nite on Wednesdays and Ladies Only Night. While local DJ’s set the pace, foreign DJ’s are invited regularly to give it an extra dimension. The place can be crowded at weekends so if you want a seat it’s best to get in early even though you will not see much of a crowd till around midnight. Entrance is usually Rs.500/-. Women enter free of charge.

The Library

Trans Asia Hotel, 155 Sir Chittampalam Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2.

Tel: 254 4200.

The Library offers class and style. The Library is exactly that – a library by day and a club at night. It is not as hysterical and frantic as the Blue Elephant. Entrance is only for house guests or members, but tourists can often sneak in. It is relatively quieter than the other clubs and the atmosphere, music, food and drinks are of a very high standard.

The Hut

Mount Lavinia Hotel, 102, Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia.

Email: laninia@sri.lanka.net

Tel: 271 5221-7.

Formerly known as the Little Hut, The Hut was revitalised in 2003. The Hut offers 70’s reggae, 80’s disco, and the 90’s techno sounds. A live band sets the moods on Fridays and Saturdays from 9.00 pm to 4.00 am, while DJs take the stage through Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 9.00 pm to 2.00 am. An entrance fee of Rs.1000 is charged per couple but it does include two drinks of your choice. The bar also provides a range of snacks and there are cosy booths if you just want to relax and enjoy your drink.

Other Clombo night Clubs :

Aquamarine Bar Inter Continental,

48, Janadhipathi Mw,

Colombo 01. 10:00 - 01:00

Beira Lounge Trans Asia Hotel,

115, Sir Chittambalam A.Gardiner Mw,

Colombo 02. 19:00 - 23:30

Blue Leopard Grand Oriental Hotel,

2, York Street,

Colombo 01. 21:00 - 03:00

Bradman Bar Cricket Club Cafe

34, Queens Road,

Colombo 03. 11:00 - 23:00

Cascades Hotel Lanka Oberoi.

77, Steuart Place,

Colombo 03. 20:00 - 23:00

Colombo 2000 Galadari Hotel,

64, Lotus Road,

Colombo 01. 21:00 - 03:00

Cyclone

29, Maitland Crescent

Colombo 07. 20:00 - 04:00

Don Stanley's

42, Navam Mw.,

Colombo 02. 19:00 - 23:30

Echelon Pub Colombo Hilton,

2, Sir Chittambalam A. Gardiner Mw,

Colombo 02. 11:00 - 02:00

Harbour Room Grand Oriental Hotel,

2, York Street,

Colombo 01. 19:30 - 03:00

Karaoke Bar Colombo Hilton 2,

Sir Chittambalam A. Gardiner Mw,

Colombo 02. 20:00 - 03:00

Karaoke Lounge Galadari Hotel'

64, Lotus Road,

Colombo 01. 17:00 - 23:00

Legends

 5th Floor, Majestic City,

Colombo 04. 20:00 - 04:00

Lobby Bar Galadari Hotel'

64, Lotus Road,

Colombo 01. 11:00 - 23:00

Lobby Bar Taj Samudra Hotel,

25, Galle face Centre Road,

Colombo 03. 11:00 - 23:00

My Kind Of Place Taj Samudra Hotel

25, Galle face Centre Road,

Colombo 03. 21:00 - 04:00

Rock Cafe

43, Ananda Coomarasamy Mw,

Colombo 03. 23:00 - 04:00

Showboat

104, Reid Avenue,

Colombo 04. 19:00 - 03:00

Thorana Lounge Colombo Hilton,

2, Sir Chittambalam A. Gardiner Mw,

Colombo 02. 21:00 - 02:00

Underground Inter Continental,

48, Janadhipathi Mw,

Colombo 01. 20:00 - 04:00

CASINOS IN COLOMBO

Although no Las Vegas, there is plenty of nightlife in Colombo. Many casinos, or otherwise also called clubs here, scream for your attention with flashing neon lights. The clubs offer gamblers roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack, and other games to try their luck as well as complimentary food and drinks, and sometimes music with live bands playing. Entrance is only for those over 18 years and some clubs offer entrance only for foreigners. Be dressed in smart casual for instant admission.

Colombo Casinos :

Star Dust Casino

No 09, 15th Lane,

Galle Road,

Colombo 03.

M G M Casino

772, Galle Road,

Colombo 04.

Bally's Casino

14, Dharmapala Mw,

Colombo 03.

Bellagio Casino

430, R A De Mel Mw,

Colombo 02.

The Ritz Club

05, Galle Face Terrace,

Colombo 03.

source : alloexpat.com