Issue 60

23 March

 Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch

This Sunday the Colombo Brunch Club returns for Episode 2, offering a specially prepared brunch menu and cocktail menu, Sri Lankan and international DJs playing through the afternoon and evening, plus live percussion and sax, a belly dancer and glow-in-the-dark face painting. It's hosted at Ask for Fern which, with the Chiller room, offers two spaces, two vibes. It starts from 11.00 am, admission costs Rs3,000.  

If you have tried Full'r you'll know that they make some great burgers. They are now open in Thalawatugoda, as well as Nawala, Colombo 5 and Mount Lavinia. Delivery is available.

And speaking of Full'r, this Saturday there's a Full'r pop-up at Cafe Kumbuk offering five of their most popular burgers, plus a vegan burger specially created by Mama D's and some of their most popular sides - fries, onion rings and chicken strips. They will be there for lunch from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

Mongolian Street have improved their Mixed Mongolian Rice lunch box which has prawn, chicken, egg and fresh vegetables with the rice. It's priced at Rs750 and is available through the main delivery partners.

And we discovered another Sunday lunch option. The Crown Restaurant at the Regent Country  Club  in  Malabe now has a Sunday lunch buffet from 12.00pm to 2.30pm, which also allows guests to use their pool from 12 to 2..

High Tea and Dinner

You may have heard of the expression "sing for your super" but how about "poem for your tea"? Until Sunday 27 March you can get a hot tea at Dilmah's T Lounges at Chatham Street, Arcade or One Galle Face and pay for it by writing a poem. There are also some gift packs to be won. 

If you have an appetite for pasta, then this deal is for you. Montana have just launched an "All You Can Eat Pasta" offer, available from Monday to Thursday, 7.30pm to 8.30pm for Rs2,000.

Little Fire by CSK have a Buy One, Get One Free offer at present on a selection of four dishes: Nasi Goreng, Wok Noodles, Chicken Kotthu or Devilled Chicken Fried Rice. These are available via the main two delivery partners for a limited time only.

Happy Hours & Ladies' Night

We found a new happy hour! Red Dwarf, the upstairs covered rooftop bar at The Irish on Park Street, have introduced a Happy Hour from Tuesdays to Saturdays. It's a Buy One, Get One Free deal on selected beers, spirits and cocktails from 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

This Friday, Botanik is being taken over by Tesouro, a cocktail bar from Goa and number 65 on the Best Bars in the World list. They will be serving some of Tesouro's signature craft cocktails, and music will be by Joe Norman from UK and Clifford Isaac. It starts at 6.30pm.

Looking ahead to Wednesday next  week, 30 March the Ladies' Night at Butlers Pub is going to be extra special, with Kiss 96.9. As well as the usual drinks deals, there will be games and prizes as well as music from DJs Nick and Kapila, plus the Kiss entourage will be there. Doors open 6pm.

Live Music and DJs

This weekend there seems to be the most music events yet. On Saturday night alone there's at least five evening music festivals and EDM nights with multiple DJs followed of course on Sunday by the Colombo brunch Club with seven DJs, two live musicians and a belly dancer.

Starting with something for classical music fans: The Chamber Music Society of Colombo is hosting "Westminster to Bohemia via Weimar", a performance of four sonatas for two violins, cello and piano. This will be at the Goethe Institut on Saturday and Sunday at 7.15pm.

Moving on to live bands and the big gig this weekend is Stigmata live in concert celebrating their 22nd anniversary. This will be at the Gloriance Ballroom on Saturday 26th March at 7.00pm.

Also on Saturday is "Pretty in Pink", an evening of music from six female artists, comprising Naomie, Melissa Stephen, Q, Romaine, Ashi Perera and The Singing Potatoes with DJ KC Grey. There is an added bonus of free-flow gin cocktails from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. This all-women musical event will be at Asylum on Saturday 26th starting from 6.30pm.

Space doesn't allow us to list all of the other gigs so for a full gig listing please see our Live Music page.

There's a couple of big DJ nights on Friday, in addition to the Clubs. Wawki 3 is at Drunk Panda with guest DJs Rachith, Dr Green and Gruv E, as well as the resident DJs Jayy Vibes, Yedikule and Cherula. Starting a little earlier, "Pardon My French" is at the Travelling Bruncher with KK, DKM, She, Babeondabeat and Neco, starting at 5pm.

On Saturday the big EDM nights are at Port City with "Life's a Beach" featuring local DJs Sajay, Kuu, Rev, Van Luup and Budz.  Close by will be the Electric Mask Festival with international DJs Teri Miko, Dave Radio, Bonka, Lost and Shaan.

If you prefer something a bit smaller, or indoors, Playtrix is hosting a "Spring Break Party" with Hitch, Trev D, Babeondabeat, Lunatics, Ace and KK plus Binu Sax.  Or there's "Twerk It" at Red Dwarf, with a pop-up by Twerk and music by Lunatics, Dirty Dzv, Babeondabeat and Loca.

There's lots more DJ parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so check our home page diary for more info.

Other Events

There's a couple of pop-up markets this weekend, as well as the regular weekly ones. On Saturday there's a Love Local Avurudu pop-up at Selyn Fair Trade, with  around 10 local vendors.  On Sunday, The Happy Market is back at Havelock Grounds with 40 local entrepreneurs offering their products as well as food, massage and more.

There's also a couple of food festivals this weekend. Eat Street festival is at Green Path from 11am to 11pm, with food from many of the leading restaurants in town. Over in Pelawatta, the Colombo Food and Music Fusion Festival will take place at Buddhadasa Grounds with food, music and entertainment for kids. 

The Colombo Comedy Club is back at last, at Shrimp Daddy's on Saturday evening with stand up comedy from six comedians starting at 9.30pm (but with a happy hour from 5pm to 7pm to get you relaxed and in the mood).

If you are interesting in finding out more about Sri Lanka's crocodiles, the WNPS monthly lecture is on Thursday at Jasmine Hall, BMICH, on the subject of "Sri Lanka's Crocodiles, Living Fossils".

The Pearl Protectors are holding a "Global Climate Strike" on Friday afternoon to draw attention to the burning of fossil fuels and to promote renewable energy. This is taking place near Viharamahadevi Park opposite Nelum Pokuna on Friday 25th from 3.30pm to 6.00pm.

And one more event for Saturday, it's Sensational Saturday at Pappa Rich in Nawala with deals and events from midday to midnight including happy hours, 2 for 1 cocktails, live music and more.