Tiki Bar of Shangri-La Colombo launches “Golden hour” rituals

• Puts spotlight on indulgence, along with a newly curated cocktails and bites menu

By Uma Chandrasiri

In a quest of innovation, Shangri-La Colombo reinvents their iconic hotspot Tiki Bar, with the launch of an evocative “ Golden Hour” and an exciting array of nuanced, fun and elegant cocktails and a scrumptious bites menu. The “ Golden Hour”, the period of a soft and diffused twilight, invites Colombo to leave the stresses of the day behind and relax into indulgence that is crafted through a mix of breathtaking vistas, food that satiates and cocktails that breathe warmth. Deriving from the group’s Asian heritage and inspired by the brands’ iconic golden “S”, this new ritual can now be savored at Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota. 

“ Our Tiki Bar has long been one of Colombo’s highly sought after vantage points to unwind to music with a cocktail in hand as the sky presents a spectacle of ochre and indigo. It is a sublime venue and we invite anyone looking for an authentic experience and a slow and intentional wind down to the day, to come join us and experience not merely a newly curated and exciting food and drink menu but also a sense of place, a sense of peace and letting go as the sun dips and the city awakens” said Shangri-La Director - Communications, Cheranka Mendis at the occasion of the launch held recently at the surprising Tiki Bar. “The rebirth of our unique bar in the sky preceded extensive research into our patrons and their food and beverage preferences. We have introduced a Shisha station and a tandoor oven on the spacious terrace and switched bigger plates to bite sized snacks packed with flavour. The cocktail menu celebrates the colours and flavours of Sri Lanka and we have been mindful to creatively craft each drink to introduce lighter and fruitier flavours, in line with our intention of offering a slow and peaceful wind down to our guests. The cocktails further reflect the striking visual story of the bar with our unique wall adornments of traditional Sri Lankan raksha masks that add a mysterious and bold ambience.”

According to Mendis, all of the regional Shangri-La hotels have held an internal cocktail competition, which was won by the female mixologist of Shangri-La Colombo for her innovative “ Purana legacy” which will now be available at Shangri-La hotels in the region. “ Purana legacy” is a rich and nuanced drink featuring Chivas 18, roasted coconut and pineapple oleo, an indulgent tribute to island flavours. Other trailblazing cocktails include, “arrack fashioned” (sesame infused arrack, paspanguwa bitters and demerara sugar), a deep and rich blend, the “corriander fizz” (gin, roasted corriander, soda and lime), a crisp and refreshingly effervescent drink, and the “chilli and passion daiquiri” (rum, passion fruit, chilli and lime), a fruity, bright and playful concoction with a subtle heat that lingers.

According to Shangri-La Director - Food and Beverage, Indranil Banerjee and Shangri-La Executive Chef Patrick Buttgereit, the exciting new cocktails are aptly complimented with a thoughtfully curated selection of golden bites, created using local ingredients and refined craftsmanship. Whilst the concept of the “Golden Hour” is a global Shangri-La experience, spanning hotels from Europe to the Middle East, Shangri-La Colombo and Hambantota have made it a uniquely personal experience, rooted in island spirit and the local trend of making friends in the company of alcohol. Shangri-La’s “ Golden Hour” is expected to transcend the mere indulgence of excellent cocktails in the ambiance of a vividly painted sky by inviting her esteemed patrons to rediscover the art of slowing down and living in the moment in the pleasurable company of good friends, great food and exceptional spirits. 

Tiki Bar of Shangri-La takes its name from the American origin of Tiki culture ( an invention aimed at recreating a tropical South Pacific paradise) with a unique Sri Lankan twist.