Quick answer
In Colombo, hotel bars, pubs and sports bars around Galle Face, Kollupitiya, Colombo 7 and the Fort show international cricket on big screens, especially when Sri Lanka or a big tournament is playing. Ask staff to switch channels for other matches. Bars usually close by around midnight, and alcohol is not sold on poya days. The atmosphere is relaxed, and Sri Lankan fans are happy to talk cricket with visiting Australians.
Key takeaways
- Hotel bars and pubs in central Colombo show international cricket on big screens.
- Galle Face, Kollupitiya, Colombo 7 and the Fort have the most options.
- Bars usually close by around midnight.
- Alcohol is not sold on poya (full moon) days.
- Staff will often switch channels for another match if asked.
Where to watch
Central Colombo has the most options. Big hotels around Galle Face and the Fort have bars with large screens, and pubs and sports bars in Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Colombo 7 show cricket during big matches. Rooftop bars sometimes screen major games too.
When Sri Lanka is playing, many restaurants and even small cafes put the match on. Big tournament matches draw crowds to bars across the city.
Lankan Stays & Trails can suggest bars near your hotel that reliably show cricket.
Some bars become informal gathering points for travelling fans during a series, especially near the big hotels along Galle Face. Ask other Australians at the ground where they are watching, as word spreads quickly on a tour.
- →Hotel bars around Galle Face and the Fort.
- →Pubs and sports bars in Kollupitiya and Colombo 7.
- →Restaurants and cafes when Sri Lanka plays.
When it is useful
A screen is useful when a match is sold out, when you are travelling between grounds and want to catch the end, or when another series is on, such as Australia playing elsewhere or the Sheffield Shield at home.
It also suits a rainy afternoon in a mid-year tour, when the ground is under covers but play elsewhere continues.
For an evening session of a Test in Australia, Sri Lanka's time zone means a late-afternoon or evening start, convenient for a drink.
Time zones work in your favour for some matches. A day-night Test in Adelaide or an afternoon in Perth falls in the Sri Lankan afternoon or evening, while a morning session in Sydney or Melbourne starts in the early hours, better watched in your hotel room.
- →Sold-out matches.
- →Travel days and other series.
- →Rainy afternoons.
The atmosphere
Watching with Sri Lankan fans is a good way to meet people. Most are keen to talk cricket, share opinions on players and, inevitably, bring up 1996. Banter is good-natured, and visiting Australians are generally welcome.
Hotel bars are calmer; pubs and sports bars get louder for big matches. Dress is smart-casual in hotel bars and relaxed in pubs.
Food is part of the experience. Most pubs serve bar snacks such as devilled chicken, fried prawns and cashews, along with short eats and kottu, which make a good match-day meal alongside a cold beer.
- →Friendly conversation with locals.
- →Calmer in hotels, louder in pubs.
- →Smart-casual in hotel bars.
Opening hours and poya days
Bars usually close by around midnight, with hotel bars sometimes later. On poya days, the monthly full moon holidays, alcohol is not sold in bars, shops or most hotel restaurants. Check the poya calendar before planning a big night.
Drink prices in hotel bars are much higher than in pubs and restaurants. Local beer, such as Lion Lager, is the cheapest choice.
On poya days, when bars cannot sell alcohol, some fans watch the cricket in a hotel lounge with soft drinks or king coconut, or simply take a break. Plan around these days during a long tour.
- →Close around midnight.
- →No alcohol on poya days.
- →Hotel bars cost more.
Other ways to watch
Most hotels show cricket on room TVs, and local streaming services carry matches. If you want to watch Australian coverage, check whether your subscription works abroad before you leave.
Outside Colombo, Galle Fort has a few bars that show cricket, and Kandy has hotel bars with screens.
If you are travelling with a driver, ask them too: many drivers are keen cricket followers and know which local restaurants and bars will have the match on, wherever you are on the island.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you watch cricket on TV in Colombo?
Hotel bars around Galle Face and the Fort, and pubs and sports bars in Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Colombo 7, show international cricket on big screens. When Sri Lanka is playing, many restaurants and cafes put the match on too.
Can you ask a bar in Colombo to show a different match?
Yes, staff in hotel bars and sports bars will often switch channels for another match if asked, especially if it is quiet. During a Sri Lanka match, the local game will stay on. Arrive early for big matches to get a good seat.
Are bars open on poya days in Sri Lanka?
Alcohol is not sold on poya days, the monthly full moon holidays, in bars, shops or most hotel restaurants. Bars may stay open for food and soft drinks. Check the poya calendar before planning a big night out.
What time do bars close in Colombo?
Most bars in Colombo close by around midnight, with some hotel bars later. Nightclubs stay open later at weekends. Plan for a relatively early finish, especially before a match day.
Is it easy to meet Sri Lankan fans in bars?
Yes, Sri Lankan fans are usually keen to talk cricket with visiting Australians, sharing opinions on players and history. Banter is friendly, and 1996 often comes up. It is a good way to meet people on a cricket trip.
Can you watch Australian TV coverage in Sri Lanka?
Local TV and streaming services carry international cricket. Australian subscription services may not work abroad, so check before you leave. Most hotels show cricket on room TVs, and bars show local coverage.
Where can you watch cricket in Galle or Kandy?
Galle Fort has a few bars and restaurants that show cricket, especially for big matches. Kandy has hotel bars with screens. In smaller towns, a local restaurant will often have the match on when Sri Lanka is playing.
What food do Colombo bars serve during cricket?
Most pubs and sports bars serve bar snacks such as devilled chicken, fried prawns, spicy cashews and short eats, and many also serve kottu and rice dishes. Hotel bars have fuller menus. Food is usually good value compared with drinks in hotel bars.