Galle Face Hotel is home to what is without argument the finest set of nightlife locations available in the city, combining five star luxuries with a sophisticated tradition of excellence.
Located in the nightlife hub of the country, adjoining the finest selection of luxury hotels available to us, Galle Face Hotel is also host to one of Sri Lanka’s finest pubs/bars.

In on The Green is an age old establishment placed on Galle Road. The double wooden doors canopied by a signature frill is the fitting entrance to the cliché English bar that meets all requirements of the tall order that is an English bar catering to tourists.

The interior is little in the way of creativity and instead relies on a sure and tested ambiance of English robustness. The wooden tables and seating alongside the compact arrangement is home to many regulars who grace the venue with their loyal patronage. The main premises are divided into smoking and non smoking areas granting fair footing for all its guests.

Cubicles line up the roadside of the venue and are backed by yellow glass windows with thick frames reminiscent of English architecture that the Hotel derives from. The placement of a table for two in the centre is a surprising one and brings out a rather misfit arrangement for an intimate dinner but serves the purpose remarkably well.

Most nights are loud affairs at the In on the Green, thanks in part to the happy hour and the on demand regulars. The hustle carries on late into the night and settles down only minutes before last orders are called if at all. The food on offer is delightful and is a sordid campaign for complicated tastes, instead barraging the senses with an array of scrumptious yet simple delicacies.

Favourites are hard to call but the mashed potatoes and pork ribs are difficult to play down. The orders may take a little more time than expected to deliver themselves, probably due to the sheer number of orders being made.

Conversations are hard to come by for the soft spoken given that the noisy surroundings dictate a rather high level of minimum vocal volume.
Entertainment is a key element of the venue and is evident in the open mic nights and quizzes carried out by the management on a weekly basis. The talent on display at the open mic nights is above average and beyond complacent, attracting many established young artists in the local music scene to belt out a few favourite tunes.

An uncommon yet rewarding occurrence is the performance made by tourists. A few past highlights include a flutist cum largely talented vocalist from Germany and a folk singer from Britain. The quizzes are fun affairs and are competitive yet full of frivolity attracting a fun bunch of participants.

The location is convenient and any night out in Colombo will most likely involve a trip past the In on the Green. The prices are moderately fixed and portion sizes are generous if not for your friends picking out of your plate due to the up close seating and the conducive environment.

Dress code is smart casual and anything really goes but partly cause of the tourist patrons the attire tends to be a little less casual and mostly smart. All in all, the In on the Green is a super experience for anyone looking to catch up with a few old friends or sit through a boring date in a slightly more interesting venue.       

By Dilshan Seneratne