Quick answer
Kandy has many licensed wine stores and supermarket liquor counters selling gal arrack at the printed price: roughly US$10 to US$14 for a full bottle, US$5.50 to US$7.50 for a half and US$3 to US$4 for a quarter in 2026. Nuwara Eliya and Ella have a smaller number of licensed shops, and remote tea estate stays may have none nearby. Stock up in Kandy or a large town. Be discreet near the Temple of the Tooth and during the Esala Perahera.
Key takeaways
- Kandy has many licensed wine stores and supermarket liquor counters.
- Gal arrack costs roughly US$10 to US$14 a full bottle at shop prices in 2026.
- Nuwara Eliya and Ella have fewer licensed shops, with narrower choice.
- Remote tea estate stays may be far from any shop, so stock up in a town.
- Discretion is expected near the Temple of the Tooth and during the Esala Perahera.
Buying in Kandy
Kandy, the hill capital, has licensed wine stores in the commercial streets of the city centre and on the main roads leading out, as well as supermarkets with liquor sections. Prices follow the printed price, and the range includes old and coconut arracks.
The city's centre is built around the lake and the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Wine stores are in commercial areas, not near the temple, and carrying bottles openly near it is inappropriate.
Kandy is the natural place to stock up before heading to Nuwara Eliya, Ella or a tea estate, since choice higher up is narrower.
- →Wine stores in the commercial centre.
- →Supermarket liquor sections.
- →Stock up here before going higher.
Nuwara Eliya and Ella
Nuwara Eliya, the old hill station, has a small number of licensed shops in town and hotel bars with fires and colonial atmosphere. Everyday gal and old arrack are available; the premium range may be limited.
Ella has grown quickly with visitors, and its bars and restaurants serve arrack, often at visitor prices. Licensed shops are fewer than in larger towns, and some visitors buy in Bandarawela or Badulla, or bring a bottle from Kandy.
Haputale, Bandarawela and other hill towns have licensed shops of their own, useful on the way to estate stays.
- →Nuwara Eliya: a few shops, everyday range.
- →Ella: bars at visitor prices, fewer shops.
- →Bandarawela and Badulla as backups.
Tea estate and bungalow stays
Tea estate bungalows and small hill lodges are often well away from any town, reached by narrow estate roads. Some have a bar or will serve drinks; others allow guests to bring their own. Ask when booking.
For a bungalow stay of two or three nights, buy in Kandy or a large town on the way. A bottle of old or coconut arrack by the fire suits the setting better than gal, which comes into its own with soda on a warm terrace.
Lankan Stays & Trails drivers can plan a stop at a licensed store before the climb to an estate, so nobody depends on the bungalow's stock.
Remember that the hills are cool at night, and that cool evenings make it easy to drink more than planned by a fire. Moderate drinking suits the early starts for Horton Plains or a dawn train to Ella.
- →Estate stays can be far from shops.
- →Ask about bringing drinks.
- →Old or coconut arrack suits the fireside.
What gal costs in the hills
In licensed shops, gal arrack in the hill country costs the printed price: roughly US$10 to US$14 for a full bottle, US$5.50 to US$7.50 for a half and US$3 to US$4 for a quarter in 2026. Remote shops may have fewer sizes or houses in stock.
Bars in Ella and hotel bars in Nuwara Eliya price for visitors, typically more than shops by a wide margin, with service and taxes in hotels.
The page on arrack in Kandy and the hill country covers bars, fireside drinks and colonial hotel lounges.
- →Shops: the printed price.
- →Remote shops: fewer choices.
- →Bars and hotels: visitor prices.
Respect around sacred sites
Kandy and the hill country have many temples and shrines, and Sri Pada, Adam's Peak, is a pilgrimage mountain. Carrying or drinking alcohol near sacred sites, and on pilgrim routes, is inappropriate and in some places prohibited.
During the Esala Perahera, Kandy's great festival in July or August, the city fills with pilgrims and processions. Be especially discreet, and note that some days may be declared dry.
Poya days are observed everywhere, with no alcohol sales in shops or most bars.
- →No alcohol near temples or on pilgrim routes.
- →Extra discretion during the Esala Perahera.
- →Poya days observed everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy arrack in Kandy?
Licensed wine stores in Kandy's commercial streets and on the main roads, and supermarket liquor sections, sell arrack at the printed price. They are away from the Temple of the Tooth. Kandy has the widest choice in the hill country.
Are there liquor shops in Ella?
Ella has fewer licensed shops than larger towns, though its bars and restaurants serve arrack at visitor prices. Many visitors buy in Kandy, Bandarawela or Badulla before arriving. Check opening hours and poya days in advance.
Can I buy arrack in Nuwara Eliya?
Yes. Nuwara Eliya has a small number of licensed shops selling everyday gal and old arrack, and hotel bars serve arrack by the measure. Premium choice may be limited, so buy a coconut or aged bottle in Kandy or Colombo if you want one.
Can I drink alcohol near the Temple of the Tooth?
No. The Temple of the Tooth is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites, and drinking or carrying alcohol near it is inappropriate. Keep bottles out of sight in the area and enjoy a drink at your hotel or a licensed restaurant elsewhere.
Is arrack sold during the Kandy Esala Perahera?
Licensed shops generally trade on non-poya days during the festival, but some days may be declared dry, and the city is full of pilgrims. Buy in advance, be discreet, and check locally which days shops will be closed.
Should I bring arrack to a tea estate bungalow?
Ask the bungalow first. Some have a bar or serve drinks, while others welcome guests bringing their own. Estates are often far from shops, so buy in Kandy or a large town on the way, and consider old or coconut arrack for fireside drinks.
Can I take arrack on the train to Ella?
Carrying a sealed bottle in your luggage is fine, but drinking on trains and at stations is not appropriate and may be prohibited. Keep bottles packed upright in your bag and enjoy a drink once you reach your guesthouse or hotel.