You booze, you lose…money. With 10% service charge, 15% VAT, and 384940% assorted taxes, your friendly neighbourhood cocktail will now cost you a hell of a lot more. How to drink on the cheap then? Short of visiting one of Colombo's dodgier establishments (ey Randoli), you need to trawl for happy hours like a thrifty little elf. Here's an updated list of where to go, when to go, and what to expect to spend.
If you know of any other great happy hours in Colombo, drop us a comment and we'll add them on!
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7 Degrees North (Cinnamon Lakeside) Head here for – Beautiful sunsets over the lake, live music on weekends |
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Asylum Lounge and Bar Head here for – Fairly good pizzas, super central location |
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Playtrix Head here for – Boys' nights out, matches on TV, beer pong |
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Cheers (Cinnamon Grand) Head here for – Cosy ambience, good pub fare, matches on TV/ big screen |
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Kaema Sutra (Shangri-La)
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Colombo Fort Cafe Head here for – Chill post-work drinks at the Dutch Hospital, beer pitcher deals |
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TGI Friday's Head here for – Family-friendly ambience, delicious ribs, strong cocktails |
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41 Sugar Head here for – Sexy date nights, sunsets over the fields, good wine list |
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Sugar Bistro Head here for – Good drinks, great service |
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Lobby Bistro at The Kingsbury Apartments Head here for – Central location, discount cocktails |
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Curve Head here for – Bustling Park St vibes, live music, good tapas |
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Verandah Bistro & Bar Head here for – Post work drinks, poolside ambience |
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VU Restobar (Best Western Hotel) Head here for – Great views in Kirulapone |
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Honey Beach Club (Kingsbury Pool Side) Head here for – Sunset and music, poolside. |
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The Kings (Kingsbury Lobby Bar) Head here for – Pub ambience, good food, post-work drinks |
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In On The Green Head here for – Themed nights like quiz, open mic, and more. Cosy, dark, matches on TV |
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Cloud Cafe & The Loft at Colombo Courtyard Head here for – Chic al fresco ambience, good crowd |
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Sky Lounge (Kingsbury) Head here for – Superb views of the city and the ocean, upscale vibes |
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Breeze Bar Head here for – Poolside chill, good cocktails, shisha, live uncle-type music on weekends |
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Which Way West Head here for – A younger crowd, loud music |
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The Long Bar (Waters Edge) Head here for – Lovely golf course views, good live music |
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ON14 Great view to watch everyone else stuck in traffic. |
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YUMI (Taj Samudra) Head here for – Great sushi, upscale ambience |
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Stella Karaoke & Lounge Bar Head here for – Karoake with way less smoke and exorbitant prices than Sopranos |
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RE.PUB.LK Head here for – Good crowd, great ambience, kinda loud music. Cheap & delicious tapas |
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Floor by O! Head here for – Loud post-work crowds, relatively cheap bites, and good Pol Adi cocktails |
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Zaza Bar (CASA Colombo) Head here for – Funky ambience, dates |
As a general rule, your best bet for happy houring is right after work, around sunset. Have fun, drink responsibly, and please don't drive afterwards. Instead of boozing and cruising down the rickety roads of the big papol, get yourself a PickMe or Uber.
Special thanks to intern extraordinaire Shalini for calling up all these bars for info.
