Smoke & Bitters bags Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award

Thursday, 11 June 2026 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Co-Founders Don Ranasinghe (right) and Lahiru Perera

Sri Lanka’s 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 recognises 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, 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.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars Content and Creative Director Emma Sleight said: “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. Congratulations to Don, Lahiru, and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”

Ranasinghe and Perera said: “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. From day one, Smoke & Bitters has been about creating a warm, relaxed space genuinely rooted in our culture—so to be recognised for our hospitality is incredibly meaningful.”

Michter’s Executive Vice President Matt Magliocco said: “Congratulations to Don Ranasinghe, Lahiru Perera, and the entire Smoke & Bitters team on winning the Art of Hospitality Award. Smoke & Bitters has become recognised as a destination for thoughtful hospitality, and we’re delighted to celebrate 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.