Smoke & Bitters, a coastal bar on Pehembiya Beach in Dikwella, Sri Lanka, has been named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in the lead-up to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026. The award, voted by over 300 members of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, honors an establishment that has delivered exceptional hospitality over the past 18 months, setting a new benchmark for guest experience across the region. This marks the first time a Sri Lankan venue has received this prestigious recognition.
Opened in January 2020 by co-founders Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, Smoke & Bitters has quickly ascended in the rankings. In 2025, it placed 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 bar’s concept is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage. All dishes are cooked using traditional wood fire—either smoked or chargrilled—as signified by the ‘Smoke’ in its name. ‘Bitters’ reflects the use of indigenous Sri Lankan herbs and spices that dominate a cocktail menu inspired by global cultures. Signature drinks include the Bananarama, combining smoked wild bee honey with Rockland arrack, banana peel, falernum and smoked hellfire bitters, and the Mai Chai, which blends Ceylon chai tea with rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat and chai syrup. The bar is recognized for its ingredient-led cocktails built around seasonal local produce such as rambutan, mangosteen and woodapple.
Hospitality is at the core of the Smoke & Bitters experience. The team delivers service that is relaxed yet attentive, creating an easy-going beachfront setting where guests feel genuinely welcomed. This balance of informality and care has become a defining feature of the bar. Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, 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.”
Don Ranasinghe & Lahiru Perera, Co-Founders of Smoke & Bitters, commented: “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.”
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. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the 50 Best YouTube channel.
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter’s, 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.”
For bar industry leaders, this recognition underscores the growing importance of authentic, culturally rooted hospitality in attracting global recognition. Smoke & Bitters’ success highlights how leveraging local ingredients and traditions can create a unique guest experience that stands out in a competitive market. The award also signals the rising prominence of Sri Lanka’s bar scene, potentially drawing more international attention and investment to the region.
