N Radhakrishnan
Co-Founder, 30 Best Bars India
A writer and publisher who founded Man’s World and Rolling Stone India magazines.
A legacy of celebrating excellence
Best Bars Sri Lanka comes from the team behind 30 Best Bars India — and brings seven years of rigour, credibility and commitment to fairness across the Palk Strait.
Where it began
Seven years of raising the bar in India.
30 Best Bars India is India’s leading bar-ranking platform. Its annual ranking has become an important benchmark for the country’s bar industry — a place in the Top 30 is an aspiration for most premium cocktail bars in the country.
Established in 2019, it began with a simple but ambitious purpose: to recognise excellence in bars and beverage service, raise industry standards, and give India’s bar talent a platform for national and international recognition.
Over the years the initiative has become an integral part of the evolution of India’s bar industry, bringing its talent, creativity and achievements to wider attention — across Asia and beyond.
Visit 30 Best Bars India- 201930 Best Bars India established
- 300+Bar enthusiasts and experts in the nationwide jury poll
- 700+Guests at the annual awards gala every January
- 7Years of recognising India’s finest bars
The legacy travels
Across the Palk Strait
Sri Lanka has emerged as one of South Asia’s most exciting hospitality and nightlife destinations. Colombo and coastal towns such as Galle and Hiriketiya have seen a new wave of ambitious bars, talented bartenders and distinctive concepts.
Fuelled in part by a thriving tourism industry, the country’s food and beverage landscape continues to evolve, and its bars and bartenders are attracting growing recognition at home and internationally.
A distinctive cocktail culture is taking shape, drawing on the island’s culinary heritage, indigenous ingredients and homegrown spirits. Ceylon Arrack in particular offers a compelling expression of Sri Lanka’s drinking heritage — with the potential to find a far wider audience.
We believe the time is right to celebrate this momentum through a platform dedicated to recognising the best of Sri Lanka’s bar industry.
Towards the first edition
More than an awards ceremony — a meeting point for the industry.
The team behind Best Bars India, with the active help of leading members of the Sri Lankan bar industry, will bring the same energy and rigour that has guided its work in India.
- Format
- A flagship, invite-only awards ceremony and industry gathering in Colombo
- Date
- 9 March 2027 — Cinnamon Life — City of Dreams
- Guests
- A carefully curated audience of 150–200
- In the room
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- Sri Lanka’s leading bars and hospitality professionals
- Celebrated bar owners and industry figures from India and Southeast Asia
- Global spirits brands and partners
- Leading media, tastemakers and creators
The first edition marks the beginning of an annual tradition — one that recognises excellence while helping strengthen connections across the industry.
A platform for growth
Not merely recognition. Growth.
Best Bars Sri Lanka is envisioned as a contributor to the continued growth of the country’s bar industry, drawing on an extended network of experienced professionals from Sri Lanka and across the region.
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Mentorship & guidance
Supporting emerging talent through an experienced network from Sri Lanka’s bar and beverage industry and leading voices from the region.
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Knowledge-sharing
Encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences between bars, bartenders and the wider industry.
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An international spotlight
Creating opportunities for Sri Lankan bars and bartenders to join the international conversation around contemporary bar culture.
A new chapter in the celebration of South Asian bar culture begins in Sri Lanka.
The team
The people behind Best Bars Sri Lanka
The team behind Best Bars India and its collaborators in Sri Lanka, united by a shared commitment to recognising excellence and supporting the growth of the country’s bar industry.
Vikram Achanta
Co-founder & CEO, Tulleeho
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Devarsee Parekh
Project Director
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Ashuli Saini
Project Director
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Sharron Gomtez
Project Manager
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Arshiya Jain
Social Media Manager
FreeSelf-nominations
Is your bar among the island’s best?
Self-nomination is one of three considerations that shape the shortlist. Put your bar forward for the inaugural edition — at no cost.
Nominate your bar