Rhythm and Blues (R&B) — Attraction in Colombo

If I could rate it 0 stars, I would. Here's why...

The quality of this place has really gone to the gutters. It has transformed into a third class dodgy joint that will cater to people only if they buy a bottle or bribe the staff.

Starting from the crew outside, you are not allowed to enter unless you have a female partner tagging along with you. That, too, requires an additional payment of LKR 2,000/= per person.

Next, fair warning: the waiters will never tell you the correct price of each drink as they only prompt you to buy. Your final bill will be so much higher in comparison to the price mentioned by the staff. Hence, be fully prepared to bust up all your cash in one location on a night out.

I visited R&B with a group of friends on Saturday night. Firstly, the drinks are severely watered down and of sub-par quality. It is expensive and, quite frankly, not worth those rates at all. My bullfrog mainly consisted of only ice cubes and RedBull. I did not pay over LKR 5,000/= per person for ONE drink to have just cool, sugary water.

The bouncers need a major attitude re-adjustment, too. They behave as if they own the property and maintain a serious, rude and unwelcoming nature. Is this how the club wishes to conduct business? Compared to other night clubs in Colombo, it is important to say that R&B raises some major concerns regarding their bouncers behaviour and overall vibe.

Moreover, the DJ needs to play music continuously instead of changing a song every 5 seconds before the "drop". It is such a buzzkill and that is definitely not how music is enjoyed. Either the DJ prepares a separate playlist or another musical expert should be hired immediately before the situation spirals down any further.

Unfortunately, this is the current situation at R&B due to lack of consistency and proper management. So sad to type this and what a huge difference compared to 2016–2019 and even as late as 2022. The only highlight is the helpful elderly lady in the women's washroom.

Major changes need to be made urgently, beginning with all the staff outside to the behaviour of the waiters inside, hygiene within the seating and dancing areas, ambience of the venue and proper facilitated services (the list is endless) that is IF the management wishes to reach their previous standards and codes of conduct, and if they ever wish to re-gain the earlier...

R&B is your classic mix of glitz and frustration. Guys pay Rs. 1,500/- at the door, while ladies still walk in free (because, of course). Once inside, brace yourself for sky-high prices: Rs. 11,352/- for two regular Bullfrog glasses and Rs. 3,980/- for two Heineken beer bottles. At these prices, you might think you’ve walked into a luxury lounge, but spoiler alert—you haven’t.

Got your drink? Great. Now don’t even think about taking it to the dance floor. The bouncers are there to enforce the strict “no drinks allowed” rule. Their house, their rules. If you’re hoping to pick up a girl, well, let’s just say the odds are not in your favor. The dance floor is dotted with plenty of lonely guys nursing beers and wishing for better luck.

The smart move? Eat and drink somewhere nice before coming here. The music is decent, the DJ is tolerable (likely improved by whatever you’ve already consumed), and the lights and atmosphere are inviting enough. But prepare for the overpowering smell of smoke machines—annoying to say the least.

Overall, this place is tolerable if you’re arriving after midnight, already drunk, and with your partner (I did went there with my wife). Otherwise, it’s overpriced, overregulated, and underwhelming. Choose wisely before...

Unprofessional Bouncers!

Rhythm and Blues (R&B) in Colombo has long been known for its lively atmosphere and quality entertainment, yet my recent visit was regrettably marred by the conduct of its bouncers. The individuals stationed at the entrance demonstrated a dismissive and abrasive attitude that falls far short of basic hospitality standards.

Security personnel are often the first and last representatives a guest encounters, and their behaviour sets the tone for the entire experience. In this case, the lack of courtesy, respect, and professionalism was glaring and unacceptable for an establishment positioning itself as a premier nightlife venue. This is not simply a matter of guest comfort; it is an issue of brand integrity and operational excellence.

R&B would do well to urgently review its recruitment and training protocols for security staff, prioritising candidates who understand that firmness and respect are not mutually exclusive. A high-profile venue deserves security professionals who can maintain safety without compromising on dignity and customer relations. Until such changes are made, even the best music and ambiance risk being overshadowed by the unprofessional gatekeeping...