Sri Lanka's celebrated coastal venue Smoke & Bitters has been named winner of the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award in the run-up to Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. Voted for by more than 300 members of the Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, this award recognizes an establishment that has delivered exceptional hospitality over the past 18 months, setting a new benchmark for guest experience across the region. Located on Pehembiya Beach in Dikwella on Sri Lanka's southern coast, Smoke & Bitters has risen steadily since opening in January 2020. In 2025, it ranked No.14 on Asia's 50 Best Bars and No.67 on the extended list of The World's 50 Best Bars, becoming the first bar in Sri Lanka to feature on the global ranking. The venue has also been named The Best Bar in Sri Lanka on the Asia's 50 Best Bars list for four consecutive years.
The brainchild of co-founders Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, Smoke & Bitters was created to showcase Sri Lanka's culinary heritage and ingredients through a contemporary cocktail and dining experience. Their commitment to authenticity means all dishes are cooked using traditional wood fire – either smoked or chargrilled – as signified by 'Smoke' in the name, while 'Bitters' reflects bitters from indigenous Sri Lankan herbs and spices which dominate a cocktail menu inspired by myriad global cultures. Beyond its culinary and cocktail philosophy, hospitality lies at the core of the Smoke & Bitters experience. Reflecting Sri Lanka's culture of warmth and generosity, the team delivers service that is relaxed yet attentive, creating an easy-going beachfront setting where guests feel genuinely welcomed. This balance of informality and care has become a defining feature of the bar and underpins its recognition with the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award.
The drinks menu draws inspiration from early Tiki pioneers while integrating local ingredients and techniques. Signature serves such as the Bananarama combine smoked wild bee honey with Rockland arrack, banana peel, falernum and smoked hellfire bitters, reflecting the bar's flair for layering smoke and spice. The playful Mai Chai blends Ceylon chai tea with rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat and chai syrup, lifted by elemakule tiki bitters, while Pani Like Dodang balances Sri Lankan sweet orange and gin with ginger honey, triple sec, salt and pepper, mint and orange bitters. The bar has become recognized for its ingredient-led cocktails built around seasonal local produce such as rambutan, mangosteen and woodapple, underscoring its commitment to celebrating Sri Lanka's natural bounty.
Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for Asia's 50 Best Bars, says: '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, Co-Founders of Smoke & Bitters, expressed their gratitude, stating that the award means a huge amount to their team and the wider hospitality community in Sri Lanka. Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter's, also congratulated the team on this well-deserved achievement.
The Michter's Art of Hospitality Award is the first of two special accolades to be announced ahead of the 11th edition of Asia's 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier. The 2026 edition will culminate in a live awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau on 28 July, featuring a red-carpet celebration and the official unveiling of The Best Bar in Asia 2026. This year's programme is designed to encourage dialogue and creative exchange within the drinks industry, with curated events such as the Bartenders' Feast and Meet the Bartenders. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the 50 Best YouTube channel, allowing bar professionals and enthusiasts around the world to take part virtually.
Smoke & Bitters' recognition with the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award underscores the rising prominence of Sri Lanka's bar scene on the global stage. The award not only celebrates the bar's exceptional hospitality but also highlights the potential for other venues in the region to gain international acclaim. For more information about Asia's 50 Best Bars and the full list of winners, visit the official website.
