Entertainment in The Hill Country
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Grand Hotel
Not the cheapest place to drink in town, but with a lovely period vibe enlivened by an open fire and vintage movie posters. The older waiters will most likely challenge you to a game of snooker in the adjoining billiard room. You’ll be expected to pay for the privilege (Rs 500 per hour), but it is a quintessential Nuwara Eliya experience.
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The Pub
Does what it says on the tin, with Carlsberg and Lion Lager on tap, a few cocktails and the occasional Saturday night jazz gig. The Western food (think chips, pasta, club sandwiches) is uninspired and overpriced, but the twilight view from the balcony on to Kandy’s noisy rush hour is an enlivening end to any day.
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B
Kandy Garden Club
At the far end of the lake, this venerable gentlemen's club is open to visitors, and for a temporary membership fee you can relax in the bar or on the veranda with a Lion Lager and fried devilled cashews. For a fee, rack up on the old tables in the billiards room, still something of a male bastion.
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Pub Royale
Beside Queens Hotel, this gloomy, dusty approximation of an English pub is a quiet escape from the diesel-infused intersection outside. The service is occasionally glacially slow, but the Three Coins beer is definitely Kandy’s coldest; it froze in our glass when we last visited.
reviewed
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Boathouse Restaurant
Open only during the July-August, December-January and April peak seasons, this is a popular local lakeside bar and restaurant with a nautical theme. There are carrom (a cross between snooker, marbles and air hockey - you flick disks into corner pockets) boards to pass the time.
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Pub
This pub, with a balcony overlooking the street below, is a good place to unwind and meet other travellers over a beer or two. Stick to beer and cocktails; on our last couple of visits we found the food to be of below-average quality, yet overpriced - and rather slow to arrive.
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E
Asgiriya Stadium
The modest Asgiriya Stadium, north of the town centre, hosts crowds of up to 10,000 cheering fans at international one-day and test matches. The compact stadium is reckoned to be one of the most attractive used for international cricket.
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Alliance Française
To the southwest of town, the Alliance hosts film nights (though in French, the films often have English subtitles), and has books and periodicals. Good coffee is available. Nonmembers are welcome to browse in the library.
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G
Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre
There are shows here at 5.30pm. The auditorium makes it easier to take photographs than at Kandy Lake Club. It’s on the northern lake shore. Arrive early for a good look around the attached craft showroom and workshops.
reviewed
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H
Blackout
Located in the Swiss Residence Hotel, this is the only dance club within city limits. Nights of opening were changing at the time of research, so call first. A three-wheeler should be around Rs 250 one way.
reviewed
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Lakeview Pub
At the time of research, the finishing touches were being added to this place at the Alpine Hotel. Lots of moody, dark timber, billiards, darts and a lake-view terrace promise to make it a popular spot.
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Liquid for Life
This brightly coloured spot for fresh fruit juice, with pineapple, mint, mango and more, is popular with kids on their way home from school. At least they’re not getting hyper on fizzy drinks.
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Lion Pub
Almost every town of size in Sri Lanka seems to have a 'Lion Pub', and this version sitting at the edge of the town centre is as good a spot as any for draught lager at local prices.
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Stag’s Head
On the top floor on the Hotel Casamara, this terrace bar offers views of Kandy’s exuberant traffic coursing around the throngs below. It’s more suitable for male travellers.
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Kandy Lake Club
Located 300m up Sanghamitta Mawatha, this club starts its show at 7pm. The front seats are usually reserved for groups, so for good seats arrive at least 20 minutes early.
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Le Garage
Thirty minutes’ drive southwest of town by three-wheeler (Rs 500), the Amaya Hills disco is open Saturday nights only.
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The Pub
The cheapest place to drink in town, but not recommended for solo female travellers.
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Mahanuwara YMBA
Southwest of the lake, the YMBA guest house hosts shows at 5.30pm.
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