I stayed several weeks in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. I didn't really enjoy the city's nightlife, which is very limited, male-oriented, and conservative.
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, mobile internet, food and drinks.
When it comes to nightlife, Colombo is disappointing for several reasons:
- Sri Lankans don't have the habit to go out by night. 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/escorts.
- 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.
Update 2023
Since I wrote this article, Sri Lanka has been through a long economic crisis that led to mass protests in 2022. Together with the terrorist attacks of Easter 2019, this has had a deep impact on tourism in the country and in Colombo. Only 719,978 people visited the country in 2022 vs 2.3 millions in 2018. Logically, you can expect the nightlife to be even more quiet now than it used to be.
Nightlife Areas + Best Hotels
![]()
Most of Colombo's nightlife is located near one of these 3 neighborhoods: The Fort, Kollupitiya or Cinnamon Gardens (near the Town Hall). I recommend you to stay in either of them as they are also close to the city's main attractions.
The Fort (Tourist area)
This area is expensive but very convenient for tourists traveling by train or for businessmen working in the Central Business District.
In particular, this is where you will find the Dutch Hospital Precinct. This complex is a good place for dinner and for after-work drinks. If you are new to the city, this is probably where you should start your night out as you will be sure to find places that are open and busy.
Where to drink and party in The Fort?
Where to stay nearby?
→ Backpacker: CityRest Fort. It has an ideal location within the Dutch Hospital Precinct but average facilities considering the price (20$/night for a bunk bed and shared bathroom). A cheaper alternative is C1 Hostel.
If you can afford to spend a bit more, you can check the following properties in the Fort:
→ 50$ per night: Zest Metropole (rated 8.9 on Agoda)
→ 50$ per night: Zest Metropole (rated 8.9 on Agoda)
→ 80$-90$ per night: The Steuart by Citrus (rated 8.1) or Fairway (rated 8.8). Both have a bar/café.
→ Over 150$ per night: The Kingsbury (rated 8.4)
Kollupitiya (or Colpetty)
This is the trendy and modern area in central Colombo. It has a large beachfront spreading from the Fort in the north until Bambalapitiya in the south. Also called Colombo 3 or Colpetty, this is one of the main expat areas in the city (with Cinnamon Gardens) and as such, it is more diverse culturally and less conservative.
→ 80$ per night: Hotel MaRadha (rated 8.7)
→ Over 100$ per night: Movenpick (rated 9.1, home of the nice Vistas Rooftop Bar) or Radisson Hotel (rated 8.1)
Where to drink and party near Kollupitiya?
The current popular spots are The Chiller Room (the best nightclub in Colombo), Playtrix Sports Bar, Liv Karaoke and Bar, Floatz, or Irish Pub.
Where to stay nearby?
→ Budget hotel - Clock Inn, a friendly hotel with both dorms (15$ per night) and single rooms (45$ per night). The location is great, walking distance from a few restaurants (including a McDonald's) and malls.→ 80$ per night: Hotel MaRadha (rated 8.7)
→ Over 100$ per night: Movenpick (rated 9.1, home of the nice Vistas Rooftop Bar) or Radisson Hotel (rated 8.1)
Cinnamon Gardens
This is an affluent neighborhood with a central location, but the choice of hotels is limited. Prices are higher than average.
→ 200$ per night: Paradise Road - Tingagel (rated 9.1)
Where to drink and party near Cinnamons Gardens?
You can check the Gymkhana Club Complex, Floor by O, Headquarters by W15, the Love Bar, or Kava Island Bar.
Where to stay nearby?
→ 100$ per night: Jetwing Colombo 7 (rated 8.7) - It has its own bar called → 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 today:
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)
Re.Pub.Lk
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.
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).
Instagram: Playtrix
Floor By O
Inside Gymkhana Complex, 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
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).
Instagram: Playtrix
Love Bar and Candi Room
![]()
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 Candi Room is more like a speakeasy. It is better to visit it with a group of friends and order bottles. It is open only on Friday and Saturday.
Facebook: Candi Room and Love Bar
Sopranos Bar and Karaoke
Sopranos is a high-end bar with a live karaoke located about 100 meters from the Gymkhana complex. 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
Sopranos is a high-end bar with a live karaoke located about 100 meters from the Gymkhana complex. 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
Inside Gymkhana Complex, 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 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
Sky Lounge
Famous rooftop bar with a stylish setup, good drinks and perfect view. 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
Facebook: Honey Beach Club
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 disappointment!
It is more a sad bar with horrible music and staff who tried to short-change me. Crowd is mostly older local guys and prostitutes. The only positive thing is the belly dancer show every hour.
It is more a sad bar with horrible music and staff who tried to short-change me. Crowd is mostly older local guys and prostitutes. The only positive thing is the belly dancer show every hour.
Address: Basement, Liberty Arcade Mall, R A De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
Meeting Sri Lankan Girls
There are some foreign girls on Tinder/Bumble/Hinge, but you'll have better luck going directly to clubs like Chiller Room, Re.Pub.Lk, Rhythm and Blues, Floor by O, or Love Bar.
You may also want to look at Seeking.com, even though it is a sugar dating site. There may be more profiles there.
![]()
You may also want to look at Seeking.com, even though it is a sugar dating site. There may be more profiles there.
