Quick answer
Licensed wine stores in Sri Lanka usually open around 9.00 or 10.00 and close in the evening, with hours varying by shop, area and current rules. No alcohol is sold in shops or most bars on poya days, the twelve or thirteen full moon holidays a year, or on other declared dry days, such as some election and national event days. Buy before a poya day, ideally in the morning, as shops are busy the evening before.
Key takeaways
- Wine stores usually open around 9.00 or 10.00 and close in the evening.
- Hours vary by shop, area and current rules.
- No alcohol is sold in shops or most bars on poya days.
- There are twelve or thirteen poya days a year, plus other declared dry days.
- Buy before a poya day, ideally in the morning.
Opening hours
Licensed wine stores usually open around 9.00 or 10.00 in the morning and close in the evening. Exact hours vary by shop, by area and with current licensing rules, and they have changed over the years, so it is best not to plan on a late purchase.
Supermarket liquor counters may keep different hours from the rest of the store, sometimes opening later or closing earlier. Bars and hotels have their own licensing hours and usually serve later than shops.
In rural areas and small towns, some shops close earlier or for a break in the afternoon. Shopping in the morning or early afternoon is the safest approach.
Public holidays that are not poya days, such as national and some religious holidays, do not automatically close wine stores, but hours may be shorter and queues longer. When in doubt, ask the shop the day before.
- →Opening around 9.00 or 10.00.
- →Closing in the evening; exact times vary.
- →Supermarket liquor counters may differ.
Poya days
Poya is the full moon day of each lunar month, a Buddhist holiday and a public holiday in Sri Lanka. There are twelve or thirteen a year. On poya days, no alcohol is sold in licensed shops, and most bars and restaurants do not serve it.
Some hotels serve guests discreetly on poya days, in rooms or private areas, but many do not, and visitors should not expect a normal bar service. The poya day guide lists dates and explains the customs.
Vesak poya in May, the most important of the year, is often accompanied by additional days without sales and by lanterns, pandals and free food stalls across the island.
- →Twelve or thirteen poya days a year.
- →No alcohol sales in shops.
- →Most bars and restaurants do not serve.
Other dry days
Beyond poya, the authorities may declare other dry days, such as some election days, days of national events or mourning, and special religious occasions. These are announced in advance, often only a few days ahead.
Local news, your hotel, your guide or the shop itself will usually know. Shopkeepers often put up a notice before a closure, and regulars stock up visibly the day before.
In some sacred areas, such as parts of the ancient cities and pilgrimage towns, alcohol sales may be restricted all year.
- →Some election and national event days.
- →Announced in advance, sometimes at short notice.
- →Some sacred areas restricted all year.
Planning around closures
The simplest plan is to check the poya calendar before the trip and note the dates that fall during your stay. Buy the day before, in the morning if possible, enough for the dry day and the evening before.
For a villa or remote stay, buy for the whole stay at the start, including any poya days. Shops near villas may be far away, and closures are easy to forget once you are relaxing.
Lankan Stays & Trails guides and drivers flag approaching poya and dry days and can plan a shop stop the day before.
- →Check the poya calendar before travelling.
- →Buy the morning before a dry day.
- →Stock remote stays for the whole visit.
The evening before
Wine stores are busiest on the evening before a poya day or long holiday, with long queues and sometimes shortages of popular sizes. Regulars buy several bottles, and quarters of the most popular gal can sell out.
Going in the morning avoids the rush. If you must go in the evening, be patient and have a second choice of size or house in mind.
Informal sellers appear on dry days, offering bottles at inflated prices. Avoid them; the bottles may be counterfeit or illicit.
- →Busiest the evening before.
- →Popular sizes can sell out.
- →Avoid informal sellers on dry days.
Frequently asked questions
What time do liquor shops open in Sri Lanka?
Licensed wine stores usually open around 9.00 or 10.00 and close in the evening, with hours varying by shop, area and current rules. Supermarket liquor counters may keep different hours. Shopping in the morning or early afternoon is safest.
Can I buy alcohol on poya days in Sri Lanka?
No. On poya days, the full moon holidays, no alcohol is sold in licensed shops, and most bars and restaurants do not serve it. Some hotels serve guests discreetly. Buy in advance if you want a drink at your accommodation.
How many dry days are there in Sri Lanka?
There are twelve or thirteen poya days a year, one for each full moon, plus other dry days the authorities may declare, such as some election days and national events. The total varies by year. Check the calendar for your dates.
Are hotels allowed to serve alcohol on poya days?
Practice varies. Most bars and restaurants do not serve alcohol on poya days, and some hotels serve guests only discreetly, in rooms or private areas. Do not expect normal bar service, and respect the religious character of the day.
What happens if I arrive on a poya day?
Licensed shops will be closed and most bars will not serve. Hotel arrangements vary. If you want a drink on arrival, buy at arrival duty free within the allowance, or plan for a quiet first evening.
Can I drink my own alcohol on a poya day?
Drinking privately in your room or villa is generally tolerated, but keep it discreet and quiet, as poya is a religious holiday for Buddhist staff and neighbours. Never drink in public, and avoid temples and pilgrim areas.
Are liquor shops closed during Vesak?
Vesak poya in May is a dry day, and the authorities often declare additional days around it without alcohol sales. The exact days vary by year and are announced in advance. Buy before the Vesak period if you will want a drink at your accommodation.