A history of 184 years
Originally the mansion of a Dutch Governor which was converted into military barracks in the 19th century, the colonial-style building of the Grand Oriental Hotel is the only hotel in Colombo overlooking the port.
It was the first European-owned, fully equipped hotel in the East, and the first in Ceylon to install an electrically operated lift. The lift is still in use and can be seen from the TAP bar in the basement of the hotel.
Tap bar is one of the oldest in Colombo.
The entrance to the pub is down in the hotel’s basement where there is a small door with a big name board ‘Grand Oriental Hotel’ TAP Bar.
The pub has many stories of jolly nights when it would fill with sailors from visiting ships. Folklore says the bar area at one point was used as a chamber to house prisoners during the Dutch period.
Revamped Pub
Compared to its previous existence of a gloomy, dark interior, the revamped pub is white, bright and cozy, and well air-conditioned. Smoking inside is allowed.
The bar counter has also had a facelift with new kitchen equipment and lighting.
You get all kinds of local alcohol there and drinks are cheaper at TAP bar than in most pubs in Colombo. They don’t have any foreign or expensive alcohol either.
Food is good since it’s prepared in the same kitchen that serves the hotel’s restaurants. They usually have offers like a free signature dish for a bottle. Ask about the special offers from the counter before you order.
The newly revamped pub is definitely a good place to hang out with a bunch of people after work and for tourists wanting a taste of old Colombo.
You could ask the waiter for a tour around the basement and also see Sri Lanka’s first electric lift.
The pub is open from 10.00 to 21.00 hrs daily but not on Poya days, public holidays.
