Sri Lanka's Smoke & Bitters has been awarded the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award in the lead-up to the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 list. The award, voted by over 300 members of the Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, recognizes outstanding hospitality over the past 18 months. Located on Pehembiya Beach in Dikwella, the bar has gained international acclaim, ranking No.14 on Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2025 and No.67 on The World's 50 Best Bars extended list, marking the first Sri Lankan bar to appear on the global ranking.
Co-founded by Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, Smoke & Bitters opened in January 2020 with a mission to showcase Sri Lanka's culinary heritage through contemporary cocktails and wood-fired dishes. The name reflects the dual focus on smoking and chargrilling techniques ('Smoke') and the use of indigenous bitters from local herbs and spices ('Bitters'). The bar's cocktail menu draws inspiration from Tiki pioneers while incorporating local ingredients like rambutan, mangosteen, and woodapple.
The hospitality at Smoke & Bitters is deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture, offering a relaxed yet attentive beachfront atmosphere. Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for Asia's 50 Best Bars, stated: "Smoke & Bitters has played a pivotal role in redefining perceptions of Sri Lanka's bar scene. Its commitment to local ingredients, open-fire cooking and heartfelt hospitality creates an experience that feels both deeply personal and globally relevant."
Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera commented on the award: "It's honestly pretty crazy to receive the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award and see Sri Lankan hospitality being recognised on this level. We've always believed there's something really special about the way people welcome and look after you on our island, so this means a huge amount not just to our team, but to the wider hospitality community in Sri Lanka as well."
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter's, congratulated the team, saying: "Smoke & Bitters has become recognised as a destination for thoughtful hospitality, and we're delighted to celebrate this well-deserved achievement."
The award is the first of two special accolades before the 11th edition of Asia's 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, which will culminate in a live ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau on 28 July. The event will feature a red-carpet celebration and the unveiling of The Best Bar in Asia 2026. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the 50 Best YouTube channel.
Smoke & Bitters' signature cocktails include the Bananarama, made with smoked wild bee honey, Rockland arrack, banana peel, falernum, and smoked hellfire bitters, and the Mai Chai, blending Ceylon chai tea with rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat, and chai syrup. The bar has been named The Best Bar in Sri Lanka for four consecutive years on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list.
