The Union Bar & Grill, located in the Hilton Residencies at Union Place is the favored location of many corporate clients who seek refuge in the comfort of the deli style seating arrangements after their tiring day at work.

The UBG as its known caters to a wide array of clientele providing a haven for the workday survivors as well as those who seek indulgence within its luxury quarters. The seating at the entrance to the bar/restaurant is the ideal location to enjoy a cold beer or brew of your choice after a day of weathering the hustle of the city life.

The musical arrangement on offer is beyond satisfactory and agreeable regardless of context, whether you’re on a quiet coffee date with your romantic interest or kicking back with office mates. Ranging from acoustic melodies of alternate classics to mainstay contemporary tunes, the performances are guaranteed to make your feet tap in tune with the music.

The menu offers an extensive choice of beverages, side dishes and mouthwatering mains alongside an impressive buffet spread that is undoubtedly the epitome of gourmet excellence.

The main entrance separates a well-placed high end bar from the fine dining restaurant that seems to run a rather striking overtone of 5 star sophistication. The service is beyond par and the interior is fitting of its status as one of Colombo’s finest dining venues complete with dim lighting and one way glass perimeters.

The seating is arranged in a most inviting manner that offers the rare luxury of intimacy coupled with blatant exposure to the atmosphere that speaks of high end sophistication and a relaxed casualty. As far as color themes and interior design goes, the dining area is decked with simplicity that speaks volumes of how far a little touch of elegance goes, complete with low ceilings that adds to the cozy relaxing ambiance.

Alongside the posh furniture and cutlery, one cannot help but notice how well the location mingles its high end clients into the scenery displaying the well-dressed diners as centerpieces of the mantle that is the dining area of the UBG.

The bar on the other hand is a compact affair of sleek finish and chic looks. The menu is fairly extensive considering the floor area, and serves most cocktails and mixes that are “the frequents” among the Urban clients.

The glass walls that separate the bar from the musical setup offers a welcome view of the night’s entertainment and the uncanny ability to turn off and enjoy a quiet drink if need be. The translucent lighting highlights the bar from the rest of the venue and maintains the energy level that is characteristic of the area’s place as the heart of the venue. The seating arrangement involves high chairs much in keeping with the Colonial glory it portrays while balancing the playful vibe of the location.

In addition to the splendors of the dining area and bar, the UBG also fuses a lobby area which hosts the musical arrangement and the prior mentioned deli seating. If the lobby area was to be seen excluding the rest of the venue one would find striking parallels between the French Delis and Coffee shops; however, the fusion between the lobby seating and the rest of the venue is done so perfectly that it blends what would otherwise be a café setting to the fine dining location which the UBG truly is.

In conclusion the UBG suits a range of necessities and offers an alluring location to many a patron. However, the crowning glory of the location is in its intimacy, which in turn makes it the perfect venue for a romantic dinner or a casual dinner date should the motive be to impress.   

By Dilshan Seneratne

Pics courtesy of Hilton Jaic Residencies