The cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, is known for its surreal natural beauty and spiritual charm. While the nightlife in Kandy might not be the most extravagant since the closing time for bars is 9 PM, it still has a few quirky and off-beat bars to grab a glass of chilled beer. Due to religious sentiments, alcohol is not available in the restaurants and bars in the vicinity of the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Here is the essential guide that covers the best bars in Kandy.
1. Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar and Restaurant
Source
After imbibing the beauty of the historical city of Kandy, if you are looking for an urban retreat, then Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar or Bamboo Garden Restaurant is the answer. This place lets you chug your favourite beer with a mesmerizing view as you enjoy the latest tunes. They also entertain requests from visitors when it comes to some peppy beats. You can play pool, or if you wish to check-in to your social media handles and update with what’s going on in your friends’ lives, there is free wi-fi too. The ideal time for the bird watchers is during the evening when you can see them flying back to their nests. Don’t forget to carry a sweatshirt as it gets slightly chilly in the evenings.
Location: Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka Timings: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM Happy Hours – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Cost for two: LKR 2500 Must-Try: Spicy Devilled Beef, Chinese style Chilly Chicken and other Chinese Dishes along with their signature cocktails.
2. Royal Bar and Hotel Restaurant
Source
The colonial architecture of the building adds some grandeur to the Royal Bar and Hotel Restaurant. The rich modern-day interior décor blends with the exterior, rendering an exciting look and feel to the place. If you want to chill with the locals, you can opt for the downstairs seating and guzzle some of the best Sri Lankan drinks whereas you can head upstairs to soak in the vibe of the extravagant ambience here.
Location: No.44 Raja Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka Timings: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Happy Hours – 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Cost for two: LKR 1500 Must-Try: Chicken Curry, Prawn Cakes, Coconut Saffron Chicken and Barbeque Sunday, Mojitos, Lion Beer are worth trying.
3. The Pub
Source
Sports enthusiasts fall in love with this place within a fraction of seconds on entering this place when they see the large screens. In the centre of the city, The Pub is an ideal place to unwind here with a beer or two while you see your favourite sportsmen in action.
Location: No.36, Dalada Vidiya, Kandy, Sri Lanka 20000 Kandy Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Cost for two: LKR 1500 Must-Try: Mullet Chips, Beer Towers
4. HQ Kandy Pub
Source
This pub for nightlife in Kandy is the newest addition to the scene. The best part of chilling out at HQ Kandy Pub & Restaurant is its pristine location in the hills of Aniwatta. Quench your thirst with some fantastic draft beer at an affordable rate and in a mind-blowing ambience, this place has got you covered.
Location: No 30, George E De Silva Mawatha, Kandy Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Must-Try: Sri Lankan Styled Spiced Cashews, Fish and Chips, Draft Beer
5. Le Garage
Source A night club located within the Le Kandyan Hotel compound, Le Garage is known for organizing the most upbeat parties in town. Whether you are in your twenties or forties, this place is bound to make you sway to the groove of the most throbbing music played by the in-house DJ as you embark on a gastronomic experience. Their retro nights and techno nights attract a large crowd as they cater to the music taste of every age group, be it the fans of 60s music or someone who is into contemporary style. Make sure you adorn your best ‘Smart Casuals’ because Le Garage follows a strict dress code, and the visitors must dress accordingly. The concoctions produced by their mixologists are genuinely out of the world. Find your way to Le Garage in Peradeniya in the most convenient option of a tuk-tuk or hire a private taxi.
Location: Amaya Hills, Heerassagala, Kandy Timings: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM. On Saturdays, only couples and members of the club are allowed. Must-Try: Chicken Nasi Goreng, Burgers
6. Old Trinitians Sports Club (OTSC)
Source
Heading down to the Old Trinitians Sports Club on weekends is the ultimate joy over the weekend. The place has an altogether happy vibe to it on Fridays and Saturdays when it is filled with music and dance. Although it is a members-only club, those who are not members can enter the club by paying a minimal fee. The club offers stellar facilities such as a pool table, a gym and a well-stocked bar that serves drinks of premier quality. The OTSC also organizes sports tournaments be it rugby or cricket from time to time. Don’t forget to dress up as per the club’s code and walk in a loose t-shirt and shorts.
Location: Adahanamaluwa Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka Timings: 24 hrs
7. Tavern 29 Rooftop Bar
Source
Partygoers must-visit Tavern 29 Rooftop Bar to savour delightful Korean Barbeque along with the best cocktails in Kandy. For music enthusiasts, they have acoustic, calypso and DJ nights on different days of the week. Tavern 29 also provides Shisha with different flavours for an elaborate and fragrant experience to hookah lovers.
Location: 11, Deveni Rajasinghe Mawatha, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka Timings: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM Must-Try: Arrack Cocktail, Tequila Sunrise, Gimlet and Frozen Melon Margarita
8. Blackout
Source
One of the coolest bars in Kandy, Blackout is the place where the party never ends. Head to Blackout with your friends to have a rocking night with topnotch music played by the best DJs from Sri Lanka. Located inside The Swiss Residence, Blackout offers some attractive offers such as First Drink Free when the doors open on Saturday and free entry to ladies. They have #ProgressiveFridays when you can enjoy Progressive, Trance, Techno, Tech House and Minimal music and connect with ardent music fans from all across the globe.
Location: 23, Bahirawakanda Bahirawakanda Ln, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka Timings: 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM Cost for two: LKR 1500
9. Victory Hotel & Bar
Source
With an extensive international cuisine and located in proximity to the Temple of the Tooth, Victory Hotel & Bar is famous for their fun quiz night and music night on Sundays. On other days, you can grab a drink and pair up with the best of Sri Lankan food and relish with mellow music in the background. Alcohol is not available between 2.00 PM – 5.00 PM, which you must keep in mind if you are planning to sip on a cocktail around this time.
Location: 79 Colombo St, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka Timings: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Cost for two: LKR 1500 Must- try: Deviled Octopus, Arrack Cocktail
10. The Last Drop Restaurant
Source
The pub inside Kandy City Hotel by Earl’s plays the latest pop beats and flaunts an exquisite range of signature cocktails and the best Sri Lankan food. If you want to enjoy a cosy dinner night with dim lights and an exotic ambience, The Last Drop Restaurant is noted to be among the best bars in Kandy.
Location: No. 37, Yatinuwara Street, 20000, Sri Lanka Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM Happy Hours - 3 PM-7 PM: With every Beer Tower bought, you get a Free Pitcher 6:30 PM-7:30 PM: Buy 1 Get 1 Offer on the selected range of Cocktails. Cost for two: LKR 2500 Must- try: Kandyan Spice Cocktail, City Special Cocktail, Traditional Sri Lankan Rice and Curry, Hot Butter Mushrooms, White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake
Being a culturally rich city, bars in Kandy have all the potential to provide the visitors with memorable club nights with stellar cocktails and international cuisine. With ample options, you can also plan a pub crawl to pick your favourite in Kandy where the DJ spins your kind of tunes. Whether you are on a budget trip or looking for a sophisticated clubbing experience, bars in Kandy have a lot to offer.
