The best bars in Colombo owe their success in part to the vast and diverse fertile soil. Sri Lankafrom tea fields shrouded in mist ellaIt stretches from Haputale and Hatton to the coastal plains for miles, where coconut and palmyra trees grow in abundance.

Elsewhere, the country’s rich soil, heavy rain and bright sunshine combine to allow the easy cultivation of a dizzying variety of spices such as cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg, resulting in some of the world’s best produce. Ideal flavors for creating interesting drink menus. Add tropical fruits like wood apple, mangosteen, rambutan and countless varieties of mango to the mix; You’ll see why Sri Lanka is quickly rising to the top. asian destination for amazing bars and innovative drinks.

Against islandNew popular spots like Raa in Hiriketiya, The Jungle Kade and Ropewalk in Unawatuna Galle It emerges by focusing on seasonal ingredients and unique flavors. Island standouts like Chill Cafe are opening a new bar and restaurant outpost Colomboand Hiri’s famous Smoke and PainHeaded up by Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, consistently ranking high on lists of the world’s best bars – Sri Lanka’s bar scene is truly thriving.

At the heart of many of these success stories is passion, dedication and graft, as well as the humble alcoholic liquor known as arrack and the hard-working toddy tappers who easily scale the treetops to harvest this essential ingredient by hand.

Made from the fermented sap of coconut and palmyra flowers, arak is not unlike whiskey in that it is aged in oak barrels and usually drunk at room temperature with some water, but it is also the basis for some of the country’s most exciting spirits. Cocktails blended with delicious mixtures of ingredients such as coconut milk, cinnamon-honey and ginger bitters. Ashwel Handy, co-owner and head bartender of Jungle Kade, likes to champion whatever he can at his own bar on the south coast and thinks: “This is the one spirit that is unique to our island, why not embrace it?”

From rooftop terraces to old-school lounges to hipster cocktail bars and hotel terracesThere are numerous places where you can taste not only local wines, but also premium wines and exquisite non-alcoholic options. Here are our handpicked picks of the best bars in Colombo.