Bar
King of the Mambo
The Galle Face Hotel's Havana-inspired beachfront bar, with sunset views, signature cocktails, Mediterranean tapas and live entertainment every night.
LIT – Lost In Translation
A cocktail bar sharing its space with Dharshan Munidasa's Nihonbashi at Port City, mixing drinks with house-made syrups and Japanese touches, plus jam sessions and DJ nights.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail bar
- Area
- Port City, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily
Good to know
- Live jam sessions
- DJ nights
- Bar snacks
Why we recommend it
LIT, short for Lost In Translation, is the bar at Port City Colombo that shares its space with Nihonbashi, Dharshan Munidasa's long-running Japanese restaurant. It combines a cocktail bar with the restaurant's kitchen, so it is equally good for a pre-dinner drink, a full night out or a late snack after a meal elsewhere.
The cocktails are the centrepiece. A team of young mixologists creates signature drinks using house-made syrups and Japanese elements, served across a bar counter built from giant stone boulders, which gives the room a distinctive look. The bar snacks draw on the Nihonbashi kitchen and include okonomiyaki, sushi boxes, karapincha tempura, and the signature Nihonbashi burgers.
Music and events give LIT its energy. There are weekly jam sessions with local bands, DJ nights and themed events, so the atmosphere changes through the week. The bar is known for its sunset views over the Colombo cityscape, so arriving at opening time is a good plan if you want to see the sky change colour.
LIT opens at 5pm, closing at 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and at 1am on Friday and Saturday. Reservations can be made by phone, and it is wise to book for weekend nights and for any evening with live music. The bar suits couples, groups of friends and food lovers who want to try cocktails with a Japanese twist. If you would rather have a full meal, Nihonbashi itself opens for dinner from 6pm to 10.30pm and takes bookings by phone and email.
Port City is a short tuk-tuk ride from Galle Face Green and the Fort district, so LIT fits easily into an evening on the seafront. Nihonbashi was founded in 1995 and was the first Sri Lankan restaurant on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, featuring from 2013 to 2018, and Munidasa has been honoured by Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun. Combining a sunset drink here with dinner at Nihonbashi or at Ministry of Crab, Munidasa's crab restaurant in the Old Dutch Hospital, makes a complete night out built around one of Sri Lanka's best-known chefs. Opening times and events can change, so check the latest details by phone before you go.
LIT – Lost In Translation FAQs
What does LIT stand for?
Lost In Translation.
Where is it?
At Port City Colombo, sharing its space with Nihonbashi on Chaithya Road.
What are the opening hours?
From 5pm, until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.
What are the cocktails like?
Signature drinks with house-made syrups and Japanese elements.
Is there food?
Yes, including okonomiyaki, sushi boxes, karapincha tempura and Nihonbashi burgers.
Is there live music?
Yes, weekly jam sessions with local bands, plus DJ nights and themed events.
How do I book?
Call +94 74 308 0844.
Can I have dinner there too?
Yes, Nihonbashi shares the space and serves dinner from 6pm.