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The night bars and open-roofed clubs awaken as the sun goes down on this sunny paradise. Whether you are a more chilled party-at-home person or an all-night-long dance floor queen/ king, we have all the info you will need to have fun! If you and your friends plan to travel to Sri Lanka, this guide will lead you to some of the best spots Island wide.
Your options are limited depending on where you will stay on the island. But the more touristic zones like the South and East are great to get down and jiggy.
Colombo, the capital:
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is the city you will arrive in. The airport is not located in the center, but with a short bus or taxi ride, you can reach it quickly. Big and highly populated, Colombo is great for shopping, having a nice meal out or enjoying a few drinks. Here are a few options to make the most out of your night:
Ballys casino
If you feel up for the challenge and want to try out a Sri Lankan casino, then Ballys is the place to do so. It has a long history in the Colombo nightlife and is safe and respected. Locals and tourists mix and gamble together as they enjoy cocktails and yummy snacks.
The sky lounge
As the name mentions, this place leaves your head in the clouds. Located on Galle’s face, you can enjoy the sunset over Colombo ort. They serve drinks, food and high-quality products such as cigarettes, champagne, etc.
Rhythm and blues nightclub
If you are feeling up for a dance, this is the place to head to. Here you can enjoy fresh drinks and snacks before taking to the dancefloor. Great for groups of friends, you can reserve tables for birthdays or other events. The music varies depending on the night.
Hikkaduwa
As you head to the South from Colombo, you will come across the coastal town of Hikkaduwa. If you are into raves and beach party vibes, this is the place for you. Highly touristic in the season, there are some pretty cool places to enjoy a night out.
Vibration music bar
Known for its amazing vibes, this bar hosts regular parties in the high season. If you like DJs mixes and meeting people, Vibration is a perfect match. Here you can get drinks and food even at the latest of hours. A true party paradise.
Funky de bar
Located on the beachfront here, you can listen to some tunes whilst watching the waves crash ashore. Come before sunset for a cocktail on the beach and grab some tasty food here or close by.
Weligama
The small town of Weligama is hugely known for its many surf spots. This sandy bay is the perfect place to learn surfing or chill by the beach. After you have enjoyed a gorgeous fiery sunset on the beach, you can head out for a meal and some drinks along the beachfront.
In Weligama, you have plenty of choices regarding bars and parties. These two are amongst the best places to visit:
Hangtime
Open most of the day. You can grab breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hangtime restaurant. At nighttime, they host regular live music and karaoke. From time to time, you can enjoy some music on their rooftop and have a dance, but it generally closes early. Suitable for families with younger kids.
Layback
If you want to party all night long, this is the place to head to. Known amongst the locals and tourists, it generally attracts younger people. Solid beats and disco lights are for those of you looking for somewhere to run to later in the night.
Mirissa
Mirissa is a beautiful town made up of 3 sandy bays. Although it is small, the central bay itself is well built up. You will find a lineup of different restaurants along the gorgeous golden sanded beaches. Enjoy your meal feet in the sand and sip a cocktail or two! After dinner, the restaurants turn into bars, and the tables make way for a dance floor. Here are a few places I recommend:
Salt
Located on Mirissa’s main beach, Salt is the perfect place to enjoy a meal and freshly made cocktails. When everyone is done eating, the dancefloor is cleared of the tables, and a DJ takes place. They host regular parties all along this beach, so the choice is there!
There are also regular private parties with an entry fee, but that is not so crowded in general. Salt is a more elegant and high-class party spot, with many locals travelling down from Colombo to party there.
Surf view
If you are looking for some great music, then head on down to Surf view. Located on the main beach to the right side, this restaurant/ bar hosts parties and live music every week. Here you can mix with locals or chill by the beachside. It is not recommended to go swimming by this bar as this part of the beach is a reef home to sea urchins.
Hiriketiya
If you are stopping by the stunning bay of Hiriketiya for a night or more, you can find great entertainment at Dots.
Dots
This restaurant/ café is on the beachfront and offers tasty snacks and food all day. You can enjoy chilled live music and fresh cocktails as the sun sets. They host parties at Dots which you can easily find advertised on their Instagram page.
Arugam bay
Now you have made it to the East coast, it’s time to kick back and have fun. Arugam bay has everything you need to have a good time. The busy main road is full of different bars, offering different vibes.
Hideaway
If you want to enjoy a couple of drinks in a chilled outdoor setting, this is the place to head to. They have regular live music and, from time to time, get a Dj in for some more funky tunes. You can enjoy good food at Hideaway and not miss the happy hour!
Friends indeed
This spot is another chilled place to enjoy a fresh beer. Friends are located a little further out of town but close enough to walk. Hosting regular live music and open mic sessions, this is a place for the most talented. With its cozy vibe and elegantly decorated outdoor space, you can lounge around during the day or night.
Siam view
The closest thing to an English-style pub in Arugam bay. Here you can watch your favorite matches: cricket, football, etc. During the night, they have karaoke nights and host bands for live music. Great vibes and generally quite busy. It is an easy place to make new friends.
Ocean sky
As the night goes on, most places close but the ocean sky is an all-nighter. Located on the beachfront, you can strut your stuff on the sandy dancefloor. Equipped with a pool table and dart board, you can have fun and challenge a stranger for a drink. The music played here is generally house music.
Mambo’s
As you stroll along the beach, you will come across this beautiful wooden bar/ café. At night time, the place completely transforms into a nightclub. Complete with the loud house music, strobe lights and younger crowd. It is without a doubt a great town to party in.
Buying alcohol
Duty-free.
Buying spirits and more potent alcohol is recommended duty-free. In Sri Lanka, you can find more potent alcohol in the wine and beer stores but at a higher price. With the current situation, importations were brought to a halt, and so the prices rocketed up. Why not save a few rupees?
Wine and beer store.
In most places, small stores sell beer and the famous Sri Lankan Arrack. These stores have a special license to sell alcohol and generally close at 9 pm. Highly popular amongst the locals, this is the only place to buy alcohol.
Bars
Of course, if you just want to sit back and chill without haste, you can find beer and other beverages in the bars. They are cheap compared to European prices, and the cocktails are much tastier with fresh fruits. If you don’t drink alcohol, just ask for virgin cocktails. They are just as good!
Local traditions.
In Sri Lanka, the most popular alcoholic drink is Arrack. Made from coconut, it has a similar taste to brandy. It is generally drunk with sprite or coca-cola; as the tradition wants, the first shot should be drunk together. Different from the European ways, they eat their dinner after drinking. Another difference is that most women in Sri Lanka do not drink alcohol. In fact, they have never even tried it.
Nighttime transport
Depending on where you are, your transport options are pretty limited. In Colombo, you will be able to find taxis and tuk-tuks to travel home safely. But in the Southern region, it is mainly Tuk-tuks.
The price of a nighttime ticket goes up but can still be negotiated. I strongly advise checking the current tuk-tuk rate before traveling around.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country to experience, and I have to say that they do know how to party. Although it may not e Ibiza, Sri Lanka can give you some of the best experiences of your life. This guide should have helped you find some lovely places to chill for an evening and some fun-filled memories to last you a lifetime.
One thing I totally recommend is walking around and experiencing things for yourself here. With the current situation in Sri Lanka, they have not had much opportunity to welcome guests. You can travel around the tourist places without trouble at night, and the locals will go out of their way to make you as comfortable as possible. Cheers! Hoping to see you soon on the beautiful Island of Sri Lanka.
