Full moon Poya - restaurants really shut? Coming for friend's 30th.
3 Answers from travellers
No alcohol served (bars closed, restaurants can't serve). Some restaurants close entirely. But: hotel restaurants can serve alcohol from existing stock (loophole). Tourist zones (Galle Fort, Bentota, Mirissa) most restaurants stay open, just dry. For a 30th birthday dinner: book at a hotel restaurant (they'll serve wine/beer normally) or plan for a great dinner without alcohol (which is doable - Sri Lankan food is punchy enough to celebrate on its own). Or move dinner one day earlier.
^ hotel restaurants are the answer. Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Cape Weligama all handle Poya as a normal night for guests. The alcohol ban applies to public bars and restaurant liquor licenses, not to hotel restaurant service to registered guests.
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