Before writing about the negatives, I will start with a few positive points:
- Sri Lankans are almost always very friendly and helpful. They speak good English too.
- Colombo is a rather clean and safe city, especially in the tourist and expat areas. New construction is happening everywhere, for instance near the Fort (5-star resorts, waterfront apartments, etc).
- There are several interesting things to do (parks, museums, markets, etc).
- You can go to the beach in less than 30 minutes.
- Most prices (except accommodation) are reasonable: Transportation (by Uber), mobile internet, food and drinks.
When it comes to its nightlife, Colombo is disappointing for several reasons:
- Sri Lankans go to bed very early. By 10 PM, the streets are empty and you may have to walk a long time just to find something to eat.
- Bars and nightclubs are hidden and they are spread out. They have an early curfew, usually midnight. After that, only a few places are still open.
- Colombo nightlife during the week is extremely quiet.
- There are barely any women in clubs or bars. It is similar to India where it is frowned upon for them to have fun with their friends. The ones you see in nightclubs are either "Westernized" Sri Lankan girls, girls who come with their husbands/boyfriends, or prostitutes.
- Overall, Sri Lankan women are not as attractive as Southeast Asian women and they are more conservative.
- Some nightclubs give commissions to tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. As a result, the latter will pressure you to visit them and you'll have to pay an overcharged entrance fee.
- Sri Lankan food, in my opinion, is terrible. Greasy and repetitive.
- Unbearable heat (at least in April) and massive traffic jams during day time.
Nightlife Areas
![]()
80% of Colombo's nightlife is spread out in one of these 3 neighborhoods: The Fort, Kollupitiya or Cinnamon Gardens (near the Town Hall).
The bars and nightclubs are rarely within walking distance from each other, though, so you'll often need to use taxis or Uber to get around.
Some entertainment complexes are convenient because they have several venues within one location:
→ The best one is the Dutch Hospital Precinct in the Fort rea. It is near the train station and the central business district. It is a good place for dinner and for after-work drinks, but it closes at midnight.
→ In the upper-class neighborhood of Cinnamon Gardens, the Gymkhana Club Complexis also recommended and it stays open until late. You can go after visiting the Dutch Hospital Precinct, for instance to 41 Sugar or to Floor by O.
→ In the same neighborhood, there are two more trendy complexes. The first one is called Independence Square Arcade and the second one isPark Mews.
Hotels Near the Nightlife:
![]()
The bars and nightclubs are rarely within walking distance from each other, though, so you'll often need to use taxis or Uber to get around.
Some entertainment complexes are convenient because they have several venues within one location:
→ The best one is the Dutch Hospital Precinct in the Fort rea. It is near the train station and the central business district. It is a good place for dinner and for after-work drinks, but it closes at midnight.
→ In the upper-class neighborhood of Cinnamon Gardens, the Gymkhana Club Complexis also recommended and it stays open until late. You can go after visiting the Dutch Hospital Precinct, for instance to 41 Sugar or to Floor by O.
→ In the same neighborhood, there are two more trendy complexes. The first one is called Independence Square Arcade and the second one isPark Mews.
Hotels Near the Nightlife:
The 3 neighborhoods mentioned above (The Fort, Kollupitiya or Cinnamon Gardens) are the best ones to choose for a stay in Colombo. They are near the nightlife and near the main tourist attractions as well.
The Fort (for tourists traveling by train)
This area is expensive but very convenient for tourists traveling by train or for businessmen working in the CBD.
I stayed there for 2 nights in a backpacker hostel called CityRest Fort. It had an ideal location within the Dutch Hospital Precinct (in front of Re.Pub.Lk) but average facilities considering the price (20$/night for a bunk bed and shared bathroom). The nearby Star Anise has better ratings for the same price.
If you can afford to spend a bit more, you can check the following properties in the Fort:
→ 50$ per night: City Beds - The Regent (rated 8.1 on Agoda)
→ 50$ per night: City Beds - The Regent (rated 8.1 on Agoda)
→ 80$-90$ per night: The Steuart by Citrus (rated 8.1) or Fairway (rated 8.8)
→ Over 150$ per night: The Kingsbury (rated 8.4)
Kollupitiya
This is the trendy and modern area in central Colombo, at the crossroads between the Fort, Cinnamon Gardens, Bambalapitiya and the beachfront.
I stayed there for 14 nights in Clock Inn, a friendly hotel with both dorms (15$ per night) and single rooms (45$ per night). The location was great, walking distance from a few restaurants (including a McDonald's) and luxury malls.
Some of the best options for sleeping in Kollupitiya are:
→ Budget hotel - 35$ per night: CJ Villas (rated 8.2)
→ 100$ per night: Mandarina (rated 9.1) or Ocean Front Hotel (rated 8.4)
→ Over 200$ per night: Movenpick (rated 9.1) or Kingsbury Apartments (rated 8.4)
Naughty Hotel:
In Kollupitiya, the Hotel Sunhill has a 24-hour naughty spa and a Bollywood nightclub (with prostitutes). Its ratings on Agoda and Booking.com are quite poor though.
I stayed there for 14 nights in Clock Inn, a friendly hotel with both dorms (15$ per night) and single rooms (45$ per night). The location was great, walking distance from a few restaurants (including a McDonald's) and luxury malls.
Some of the best options for sleeping in Kollupitiya are:
→ Budget hotel - 35$ per night: CJ Villas (rated 8.2)
→ 100$ per night: Mandarina (rated 9.1) or Ocean Front Hotel (rated 8.4)
→ Over 200$ per night: Movenpick (rated 9.1) or Kingsbury Apartments (rated 8.4)
Naughty Hotel:
In Kollupitiya, the Hotel Sunhill has a 24-hour naughty spa and a Bollywood nightclub (with prostitutes). Its ratings on Agoda and Booking.com are quite poor though.
Cinnamon Gardens
This is an affluent neighborhood with a central location, but the choice of hotels is limited. Prices are higher than average.
→ Less than 50$ per night: Cool Colombo7 (rated 8.1)
→ 100$ per night: Jetwing Colombo 7 (rated 8.7)
→ 200$ per night: Paradise Road - Tingagel (rated 9.1)
→ Less than 50$ per night: Cool Colombo7 (rated 8.1)
→ 100$ per night: Jetwing Colombo 7 (rated 8.7)
→ 200$ per night: Paradise Road - Tingagel (rated 9.1)
Best Bars and Nightclubs in Colombo
On weekends, most nightclubs and bars will charge an entrance fee to men. The fare varies from 1,000Rs up to 2,500Rs and you'll get drink coupons in exchange. Before paying, try asking the bouncers if you can have a quick look inside to check the crowd situation.
Avoid wearing shorts and sandals in high-end venues. Also, be aware that it is not uncommon to be refused entry if you are a group of men without any women. This is especially true if you are Indian.
Here are the best bars and nightclubs in Colombo as of 2017 (Note that many have closed recently: Texas, Disques, Silk, Amuseum, Clique - all of them are dead):
Rhythm and Blues
![]()
This bar/club was one of the nicest I visited in the city. The indoor area is medium-sized, with a long rectangular bar in the middle, and sofas on the side. It is modern, well-designed and clean. The DJs or live bands play in one of the corners, in front of a small dance floor.
I was there on a Wednesday and it was crowded (90% Sri Lankans, 20% women). The music was commercial Rn'B/EDM and people were dancing enthusiastically. Different themes every night (Tuesday for Backpackers, 80/90s music, etc).
Drinks cost around 300-400Rs per glass of spirit (they charge the mixer separately 200Rs) and cocktails around 800-900Rs. Rs1,000 entrance for men only.
Facebook: Rhythm and Blues (R+B)
Which Way West
Inside the mall Liberty Arcade, it is one of the trendy bars and lounges at the moment in Colombo. The crowd is almost entirely made of young, chic Sri Lankans. Hip Hop nights on Wednesdays. Ladies nights on Fridays (Free shots for girls from 6 PM to 9 PM).
Prices are reasonable (the cheapest bottle of spirit costs 4,500Rs). Entrance fee of 1,000Rs on Friday and Saturday.
Facebook: Which Way West
41 Sugar
This is a small rooftop bar with either live bands (jazz, blues) or a DJs (deep house, nu disco, lounge). It is located within the Gymkhana Pool Complex (above Floor by O and Silk nightclub - currently closed). Chill atmosphere (soft music, dim lighting) but not too busy. 800Rs for a cocktail and 450Rs for a beer. This is where I would bring a date if I had one.
Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. 2,500Rs entrance fee on weekends.
Facebook: 41 Sugar
Website: 41 Sugar
Re.Pub.Lk
My first hotel (CityRest Fort) was just in front of this new bar, probably the best one in the Dutch Hospital Precinct.
Republk is built on two floors with a small garden/smoking area. Good selection of food/drinks. Eclectic music (Rn'B, reggae, electro, etc). Expat crowd with some rich Sri Lankans. It is the only place in the city where I felt it was possible to pick up a girl.
Be careful as they have a strict dress code: No shorts, no sandals, no skinnies after 7 PM on weekends.
Ladies night on Wednesdays. Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. Cocktails cost around 700Rs.
Facebook: REPUBLIK Colombo
This is a small rooftop bar with either live bands (jazz, blues) or a DJs (deep house, nu disco, lounge). It is located within the Gymkhana Pool Complex (above Floor by O and Silk nightclub - currently closed). Chill atmosphere (soft music, dim lighting) but not too busy. 800Rs for a cocktail and 450Rs for a beer. This is where I would bring a date if I had one.
Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. 2,500Rs entrance fee on weekends.
Facebook: 41 Sugar
Website: 41 Sugar
Re.Pub.Lk
My first hotel (CityRest Fort) was just in front of this new bar, probably the best one in the Dutch Hospital Precinct.
Republk is built on two floors with a small garden/smoking area. Good selection of food/drinks. Eclectic music (Rn'B, reggae, electro, etc). Expat crowd with some rich Sri Lankans. It is the only place in the city where I felt it was possible to pick up a girl.
Be careful as they have a strict dress code: No shorts, no sandals, no skinnies after 7 PM on weekends.
Ladies night on Wednesdays. Happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM. Cocktails cost around 700Rs.
Facebook: REPUBLIK Colombo
Playtrix
I went to Playtrix sports bar to watch a Champions League game and I had a great night. Most customers were young, easy-going Sri Lankans. Prices are average (350Rs for a beer). The music is from a DJ mixing EDM and Top 40 tunes. Ladies nights on Fridays from 8 PM to 11 PM and Couchsurfing meetings every Thursday.
Beware: Playtrix is hard to find. First, you need to go inside the racecourse track, and then climb the stairs of the tribune. It is at the top, just above Disques nightclub (closed already).
Website: Playtrix
Floor By O
One floor below 41 Sugar and one floor above Silk, this lounge-bar-restaurant was empty when I visited it. Apparently, it only gets crowded on weekends (entrance fee 2,000Rs for guys to spend on drinks).
Facebook: Floor by O (the same group also owns the beach club Shore By O in Mount Lavinia)
I went to Playtrix sports bar to watch a Champions League game and I had a great night. Most customers were young, easy-going Sri Lankans. Prices are average (350Rs for a beer). The music is from a DJ mixing EDM and Top 40 tunes. Ladies nights on Fridays from 8 PM to 11 PM and Couchsurfing meetings every Thursday.
Beware: Playtrix is hard to find. First, you need to go inside the racecourse track, and then climb the stairs of the tribune. It is at the top, just above Disques nightclub (closed already).
Website: Playtrix
Love Bar and The Attic
Both are located within the Flamingo House, a chic restaurant in Cinnamon Gardens. Love Bar is open every day and it is famous for its cocktails (around 900Rs each). The music is laidback deep house and nu disco. The Attic is a small private nightclub with hip-hop/Rn'B music. It is better to visit it with a group of friends and order bottles. It is open only on Friday and Saturday.
 |
| Attic Club |
Sopranos Karaoke
Sopranos is a high-end bar with a live karaoke located about 100 meters from the Gymkhana complex (41 Sugar, Floor By O). It is quite fun and you have a decent crowd from Tuesday to Saturday (until 3 AM). Men must pay Rs1,000 to get inside.
Facebook: Sopranos
Website: Sopranos Karaoke
Sopranos is a high-end bar with a live karaoke located about 100 meters from the Gymkhana complex (41 Sugar, Floor By O). It is quite fun and you have a decent crowd from Tuesday to Saturday (until 3 AM). Men must pay Rs1,000 to get inside.
Facebook: Sopranos
Website: Sopranos Karaoke
Floor By O
One floor below 41 Sugar and one floor above Silk, this lounge-bar-restaurant was empty when I visited it. Apparently, it only gets crowded on weekends (entrance fee 2,000Rs for guys to spend on drinks).
Facebook: Floor by O (the same group also owns the beach club Shore By O in Mount Lavinia)
The Manchester Pub
This minimalistic pub is one of the main expat hangouts in Colombo (You also have a fair amount of backpackers and locals among the customers). Good for watching football, cricket or rugby. You can order Indian food from the excellent Agra restaurant next door.
Busy quiz night on Wednesday. Open mic on Tuesday. Live music on Thursday and Friday. Closes very early at 11 PM.
Facebook: The Manchester Pub
Busy quiz night on Wednesday. Open mic on Tuesday. Live music on Thursday and Friday. Closes very early at 11 PM.
Facebook: The Manchester Pub
ON14 Rooftop Lounge
A rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the OZO Hotel. Not very big nor sophisticated, but decent enough for a relaxing time during sunset. Happy hour from 6 PM to 7 PM (50%). Small swimming pool. Average service and watered-down cocktails (900Rs each).
Facebook: ON14
Sky Lounge
Another famous rooftop bar, more expensive but with a better set-up compared to ON14. It is located in the 5-star Kingsbury Hotel, in the Central Business District area.
Happy hours from 5.30PM to 7 PM (usual price for a cocktail around 1200Rs each). Live music on Thursday.
Facebook: Sky Lounge
Honey Beach Club
![]()
This place just opened when I left Colombo so I didn't get a chance to try it. Part of the Kingsbury Hotel, it is actually more a pool club than a beach club. Live DJ every day starting 5 PM. Open from 10 AM to midnight. Full menu and prices available here.
Facebook: Honey Beach Club
Curve
A tapas bar with live rock, soul or jazz music from Wednesday to Saturday. Odd and amateurish design. Lion beer for 300Rs and Mojitos for 720Rs. Located in Park Mews, an entertainment complex built from renovated warehouses.
Facebook: Curve Bar and Tapas
![]()
A rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the OZO Hotel. Not very big nor sophisticated, but decent enough for a relaxing time during sunset. Happy hour from 6 PM to 7 PM (50%). Small swimming pool. Average service and watered-down cocktails (900Rs each).
Facebook: ON14
Sky Lounge
Another famous rooftop bar, more expensive but with a better set-up compared to ON14. It is located in the 5-star Kingsbury Hotel, in the Central Business District area.
Happy hours from 5.30PM to 7 PM (usual price for a cocktail around 1200Rs each). Live music on Thursday.
Facebook: Sky Lounge
Asylum
Open from 11 AM to 11 PM, Asylum is a trendy bar and restaurant located in Arcade Independence Square. Salsa nights on Thursdays and Sundays.
Cocktails cost around 900Rs and local beers 300Rs. The food served is Western (around 2,000Rs for the main course).
Website (with full menu): Asylum Colombo
Facebook: Asylum LK
Barefoot
This beer garden is part of a small complex with a shop and a bookstore. It was recommended by a friend, but I was disappointed when I visited. Only a few guests, mostly older expat women (50+). Low prices. Popular on Sundays for their Jazz afternoon.
Facebook: Barefoot Colombo
Honey Beach Club
Facebook: Honey Beach Club
Curve
A tapas bar with live rock, soul or jazz music from Wednesday to Saturday. Odd and amateurish design. Lion beer for 300Rs and Mojitos for 720Rs. Located in Park Mews, an entertainment complex built from renovated warehouses.
Facebook: Curve Bar and Tapas
W Lounge
Previously known as The Kama, it looks fine but there weren't any customers when I visited.
Facebook: W Lounge
Cleopatra Bollywood ClubFacebook: W Lounge
Cleopatra is a bit complicated to find as it is hidden in the basement of Liberty Arcade (same building as Which Way West). You won't see any signs indicating it from outside so you should ask one of the security guards for directions.
I was charged 2,000Rs to get inside, without any drinks. I accepted to pay because I had read on the Internet that it was the "ultimate underground nightclub" in Colombo. What a load of bullshit!
It is just a dirty bar with mostly overweight and old prostitutes. The music is horrible and the staff tried to short-change me. The only positive thing is the belly dancer show every hour.
Don't go there unless you belong to their core customer demographic: Indians, Middle Easterners, or Sri Lankans, in their 40s-50s.
It is just a dirty bar with mostly overweight and old prostitutes. The music is horrible and the staff tried to short-change me. The only positive thing is the belly dancer show every hour.
Don't go there unless you belong to their core customer demographic: Indians, Middle Easterners, or Sri Lankans, in their 40s-50s.
Address: Basement, Liberty Arcade Mall, R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
Beach Clubs in Mount Lavinia/Dehiwala
There is a laid-back nightlife on weekends in a few selected beach clubs. The most popular are Shore by O, La Voile Blanche, Buba and The Station. Check their Facebook page in advance for special events (DJs, live music).
Spa/Massage Parlours Plus Plus in Colombo
I didn't try any naughty spas in Colombo, but I know they exist. Usually, the masseuses are either Thai or Chinese.
A famous one is located in the Sunhill Hotel (available on Agoda and Booking.com) and it is open 24 hours (Lush Bollywood Club and Spa).
On the same street, I also saw a Thai massage parlor called Kannika Spa which seemed dodgy as well.
Please leave a comment if you've tried any of these.
Meeting Sri Lankan Girls
My spontaneous advice would be "Forget about it" as there are very few Sri Lankan women in bars/clubs and also on dating websites/apps.
If you really insist, I would only recommend Tinder (many foreign girls). You may also have a chance in Re.Pub.Lk, Rhythm and Blues, Floor by O, Sugar 41 and Which Way West.