New Year plans are usually made well in advance, but if you are yet to decide where you want to be when you welcome 2023, these are a few New Year’s Eve events taking place, both in and out of Colombo.
The RE.PUB.LK
New Year’s at The RE.PUB.LK begins with a pre-party tonight, 30 December, with DJs RJ and Sushan spinning tunes from the 80s, and the following day, a Tamil NYE party “Engeyum Eppothum” will be held, featuring Balaji Sri and DJ RJ from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. to say “Vanakkam” to 2023.
Hilton Colombo
New Year’s Eve festivities sure are grand at Hilton Colombo this year, giving patrons a range of options on 31 December. You can celebrate with a New Year’s Eve buffet at Graze Kitchen, savour scrumptious Szechuan and Cantonese delights at Emperor’s Wok, countdown to an amazing 2023 at SunsetBlu, which is presenting a gala dinner buffet and breakfast accompanied by DJs Hiranya, Danushka, Sushan, Naushad, Thoshan, and Kapila Mohotti, or celebrate in style with the Black Jackets and a specially curated menu at L.A.B.
Cinnamon Grand
Sequel at Cinnamon Grand is celebrating New Year’s Eve with X Calibre, free flowing drinks and unlimited nibbles from 8 p.m., while special celebratory dinners are available at Plates, The London Grill, Cheers Pub, Noodles, The Lagoon, and Chutneys. At the Main Ballroom, the Redeemers will usher in the new year, with a gala dinner, breakfast buffet, and entertainment. If you want to feel at home and celebrate with authentic Sri Lankan flavours, Nuga Gama will serve up a truly Lankan 31st night dinner as well as Sri Lankan breakfast the following day. Celebrations will also take place at Breeze Bar and The Lounge.
Asylum
Asylum Restaurant and Lounge Bar is going big this year, and is taking things outdoors with live music by Funk Island and DJ Ishan, along with street food and a barbeque. While access to the outdoor party is free, anyone looking for something a bit more private or exclusive can head to the indoor VIP party, which is complete with a special seasonal menu.
Rare
Rare New Year’s Eve dinner is the perfect way to usher in the new year. Rare’s finest flavours are brought together to create a night to remember, with action stations and live music to set the mood for celebrations with friends and family.
Hilton Colombo Residencies
Hilton Colombo Residencies invites you to raise a glass and ring in the new year with a bang; eating, drinking, and being merry with loved ones as you count down the seconds to a fabulous 2023. They have an amazing spread planned for the dinner buffet on 31 December, with live entertainment to keep spirits high.
Angel Beach Unawatuna
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Colombo for the new year, Unawatuna may be the perfect spot for you. Angel Beach has a New Year’s Eve seafood barbeque gala dinner, accompanied by back to back DJ sessions right into the new year. The party doesn’t stop there, since Angel Beach is prepared to get things back on track at 8 a.m. on 1 January 2023, with an oil lamp lighting ceremony. After having their Hangover Brunch, you can enjoy another line-up of DJs until 12 midnight.
Hotel Mount Breeze
Funtastic People presents Jungle Beach at Mount Lavinia’s Hotel Mount Breeze and Restaurant Sawadee on 31 December, where DJ Shrinath, FreaKo, and DJ Anix Jay will play everything from retro to R&B to hip hop to EDM to Baila. While gifts await you for the best dressed couple and wildest dance competitions, you can also welcome the new year with fireworks.
Marino Mall
It’s a glam New Year’s Eve at Marino Mall, where on 31 December, all are invited to the Floatz Pub to celebrate the dawn of 2023 in high spirits.
Cloud Café
Colombo Court Hotel and Spa has a special treat for you this year; they plan on escaping 2022 and entering 2023 with some old-school hip hop vibes at Cloud Café. You can jam with DJ Mazo and DJ J Stefan at the rooftop bar.
Harpo’s Cafes and Restaurants
Park Street Mews Restaurant and Curve Tapas Bar is ready to usher in the new year with a New Year’s Eve party on the street with Jerome Speldewinde and Band and DJs Sushan and Ricky from 8 p.m. onwards, with a dinner buffet and a breakfast break with traditional sweetmeats. You can also head to The Bayleaf, where the garden will be transformed into an enchanting setting with festive décor. Welcome 2023 while enjoying a western and Italian dinner, DJ music by Pradeep and a countdown at midnight by Harpo’s Cafes and Restaurants Founder and CEO Harpo Gooneratne.
Heritance Negombo
Headed away from Colombo on 31 December? Why not check out Heritance Negombo, which has a gala dinner planned at the Bluetan Restaurant Lawn. Dine with your friends and family, and take part in their raffle draw to win amazing prizes. You can also indulge in seasonal festivities with a sparkling New Year’s breakfast and a New Year’s buffet lunch with live music on 1 January.
Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre
A New Year party will bring Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre to life on 31 December, with entertainment by a line-up of talented singers and DJs. The event begins at 6 p.m. and the organisers promise the event will live up to its claim as the first ever Tamil 31st night grand concert in Sri Lanka.
Street Food Festival
If you want to start your celebrations early, and don’t want to wait until tomorrow, 31 December, the Fairway Colombo Street Food Festival is taking place today, from 5 p.m. onwards, and will be an evening of street food, beverages, live music, and entertainment.
Industri
Start your New Year celebrations early by heading to Industri tonight (30), where Trev D, Kakes, The Lunatics, Clifford Isaac, and DJ Demot will keep spirits high until the early hours on the last day of their seasonal event line-up.
The Love Bar
The Love Countdown is an event you cannot miss tonight, 30 December, where Henricus, Tokio, and Mechanic will keep everyone on their feet, in preparation for Sweet Love on 31 December at The Love Bar with Henricus, Thushan, and Mechanic.
Ibsons Choice Café
Ibsons Choice Café in Kotte will have a DJ spinning tunes all night at their New Year’s Eve event, with each ticket including a mocktail or cocktail, as well as a cup of cappuccino and a slice of cake after 12 midnight.
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa
Why limit New Year celebrations to one night, when you can make a staycation out of it? Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa has a special new year double full board offer, inclusive of breakfast, lunch and gala dinner, a complimentary glass of sparkling and mulled wine, DJ music as well as live music by Aroh, a contemporary dance performance, and fireworks at midnight.
Monsoon
Monsoon is celebrating New Year’s Eve with an exciting evening of signature cocktails, Asian fusion dishes, action bao and satay stations, and live music by Gangulee and Dillion. The bao and satay stations will be open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., while a special New Year’s Eve à la carte menu will be available for dinner.