Colombo takes on a different tone at night, with the dusty hot streets turning into cool, breezy, softly lit lanes that have a dreamy atmosphere, especially if you are around the beach area. The sea air blows gently, creating a serene ambiance. Devoid of the heat, loud noises and other distractions, you can have a lovely, irreplaceable tour of the city. If you are a night owl, and you feel more energetic once the sun has set, then this post is definitely for you. Go for a drive through the city in an open air tuk tuk, or simply walk, and get to see Colombo through the eyes of a night owl.
The Dutch Hospital is the perfect nightly haunt. This renovated courtyard has an old fashioned feel to it, while stocked with a lot of contemporary fun. Be sure to stop by as experiencing the nightscape around this area is one of the nicest things to do in Colombo. Traipse down the cobblestone alleys that run around the precinct, walking in the light that spills from the open shops onto the grey stones underneath your feet. The soft lighting combines with the live jazz band that plays most nights makes the experience supremely chill, a great way to unwind and enjoy some delicious food and drinks from the bars and cafes around. You can even go shopping at night, stocking up on souvenirs for friends and family back home as there are a few boutiques perfect for that sort of thing. The Dutch Hospital is great for a fun night out with your fellow companions, as a romantic date night or even as a place for a solo traveler to make some friends. Check to see if there are any special events happening, as there often are, and the place will be even more fun if you know what to look forward to.
Close to the Dutch Hospital is Galle Face Green. Walk along the edge of the sea amidst the delicious aroma of street food frying, and enjoy the sight of families with children walking along with light up toys! Make sure to sample the food, and wash it down with some cool drinks. You can also walk along the ramparts of the fort. It’s a short but quiet walk, a haven of peace amidst the lights and sounds of nightlife. You can even spot the lighthouse, and see the elevated Chaitya that has been built nearby. Park Street Mews, with its strings of fairy lights hanging over its entry way and corridor is another place that comes alive at night. A small cobblestone alley is the entry point to a handful of popular restaurants and cafes which are buzzing with activity at night.
Another thing to recommend is finding a roof top bar, as the view of the city at night is beautiful. Dots of light – yellow, red, green – make strings of bright sparks as vehicles travel up and down the roads. The breeze blows your worries away, and the sound of the traffic doesn’t reach the rooftop. This experience gives you a different idea of the city, and is one you are sure to enjoy. If you are a music buff, do some research to see if there are any shows playing or any places that have live bands and head there. During holiday season you may be able to catch some locals celebrating traditional festivals, which will be a wonderful thing to witness. Night time is also the perfect time to practice photography in low light, and you will find many opportunities to capture things in new ways.
If you’re feeling extra vocal, you can head to Sopranos, Colombo’s most loved and best karaoke bar. Joyously belt out your favourite tunes well into the night, all the while enjoying the yummiest finger food and drinks. For a more quiet night out you can head down to Mount Lavinia Beach. Walking along the cold sands (though the water tends to still be warm from the setting sun) is a delightful experience, and there are a number of rustic restaurants that dot the coastline and are a great places to hang out with some drinks and food. Digging your toes into the sand while enjoying dinner is a soul enthralling experience, and is highly recommended. The best part is you can choose a relatively quiet cabana and relax with the smell of the sea in the semi darkness, enjoying the quiet. Or you can seek out a more well-lit place with loud music and enjoy some dancing well into the night!
Another great thing to do around Colombo is to just walk – you can really get a sense of the city when you walk through it, and while Colombo is hot and sweaty during the day, it’s deliciously cool at night. The streets are mostly deserted, which makes for a pleasant change. If you stick to Galle road you will be perfectly safe, though you may want to walk by the sea on Marine Drive as well. Check out the ‘saiva kades’ or saiva shops, and you may even be tempted by the smells to go inside and see what they have for sale. Hot hot short eats, or finger food, will be available which you can buy to eat while you walk, and by doing this you can sample late night street food. You may also want to duck in and enjoy a more substantial dish, such as fragrant curries with breads or naan, and of course you will not be able to escape the sound of someone making Kotthu. The rhythmic clangs sound like music, and you will be mesmerized by the sound and movement of the chef. Definitely sample the kotthu, as you are bound to love the chopped up pieces of roti mixed with vegetables and meats. Going on a food tour at night is then an essential part of soaking in the feel of the city.
So go forth and explore the city of Colombo at night!
Exploring Colombo 