Arrack Experience at a 100 Year Old Bar
A guided tasting of Sri Lanka’s iconic spirit inside a place shaped by history.
More about
This arrack experience takes place inside a century old bar that has long been part of Galle’s social life. The setting itself holds stories of traders, regulars, late evenings, and conversations that unfolded long before the bar became a curiosity. Arrack becomes a gateway into understanding local drinking culture rather than the focus alone.
The tasting is relaxed and conversational, guided by storytelling rather than formality. You learn about how arrack is made, how it has been consumed over generations, and the role it played in coastal towns like Galle. Simple snacks accompany the tasting, grounding the experience in familiarity rather than ceremony.
By choosing this experience, you support spaces and traditions that continue quietly without reinvention. It offers a cultural encounter rooted in place, memory, and moderation revealing how everyday rituals often carry the richest histories.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Group size
Private or small groups
Starting point
Galle Town
What to wear / bring:
Curiosity, moderation
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
While in Galle we did a fort tour with Atheeq, who has the most fascinating family/background story and therefore added to our experience. This tour was the perfect amount of talking while walking and trading stories. It's a must to take a tour while in Galle so you can appreciate all the history of this city/town. Unknowingly, we left Atheeq to then attend an Arrack tasting experience with Shehan (who is business partners with Atheeq). Instantly, we knew we were in good hands! The Arrack tasting was so much fun. Galle was our last stop in Sri Lanka so we had tried Arrack a few times, but the education behind this liquor along with the fun stories made this truly an enjoyable afternoon. While traveling, my husband and I always want to learn about (and try) whatever local liquor/drink (both alcoholic and non) and Shehan hit it out of the ballpark to not only make it authentic with local products, but made an American influenced drink too, which we had a huge laugh about. Both Atheeq and Shehan have the gift of gab. Thank you both again for a great day!
Aimee
Raleigh, North Carolina
We’ve just done a private walking tour of the fortified Galle with Atheeq from Ceylon Soul. The tour was excellent: very informative. Atheeq was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. We enjoyed it very much and we highly recommend Ceylon Soul for the discerning traveller.
Marcos_AUS_CH
Zurich, Switzerland
I had a personal cookery experience with Shahira. I created a challenges for her due to my intolerances to cheese, yeast, sugar (including fruit) and fermented foods such as vinegar. However Shahira proved she is an accomplished cook and able to adapt recipes to deliver the most wonderful curries. We made 10 dishes in all ranging from pumpkin curry, bean curry, fish curry, breadfruit curry, carrots and cabbage, sambol, rice, ..... starting from the basic spices for the curries used in different proportions in each with added ingredients such as curry leaves, ginger, garlic, onion..... I scribbled so much down in the hope of recreating here in the UK. Not only how to cook what we did, but what I could use instead available in the uk to adapt the recipes and also so informative about the benefits to you of the spices that we used. All in all an experience I wouldn’t have missed. Thank you Shahira I enjoyed also your conversation as well as tuition cooking in your wonderful garden.
Fionawilson
Inquiries
More Experiences
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The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
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Cook Like a Local with Shahira
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Arrack Experience at a 100 Year Old Bar
A guided tasting of Sri Lanka’s iconic spirit inside a place shaped by history.
More about
This arrack experience takes place inside a century old bar that has long been part of Galle’s social life. The setting itself holds stories of traders, regulars, late evenings, and conversations that unfolded long before the bar became a curiosity. Arrack becomes a gateway into understanding local drinking culture rather than the focus alone.
The tasting is relaxed and conversational, guided by storytelling rather than formality. You learn about how arrack is made, how it has been consumed over generations, and the role it played in coastal towns like Galle. Simple snacks accompany the tasting, grounding the experience in familiarity rather than ceremony.
By choosing this experience, you support spaces and traditions that continue quietly without reinvention. It offers a cultural encounter rooted in place, memory, and moderation revealing how everyday rituals often carry the richest histories.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Group size
Private or small groups
Starting point
Galle Town
What to wear / bring:
Curiosity, moderation
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
While in Galle we did a fort tour with Atheeq, who has the most fascinating family/background story and therefore added to our experience. This tour was the perfect amount of talking while walking and trading stories. It's a must to take a tour while in Galle so you can appreciate all the history of this city/town. Unknowingly, we left Atheeq to then attend an Arrack tasting experience with Shehan (who is business partners with Atheeq). Instantly, we knew we were in good hands! The Arrack tasting was so much fun. Galle was our last stop in Sri Lanka so we had tried Arrack a few times, but the education behind this liquor along with the fun stories made this truly an enjoyable afternoon. While traveling, my husband and I always want to learn about (and try) whatever local liquor/drink (both alcoholic and non) and Shehan hit it out of the ballpark to not only make it authentic with local products, but made an American influenced drink too, which we had a huge laugh about. Both Atheeq and Shehan have the gift of gab. Thank you both again for a great day!
Aimee
Raleigh, North Carolina
We’ve just done a private walking tour of the fortified Galle with Atheeq from Ceylon Soul. The tour was excellent: very informative. Atheeq was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. We enjoyed it very much and we highly recommend Ceylon Soul for the discerning traveller.
Marcos_AUS_CH
Zurich, Switzerland
I had a personal cookery experience with Shahira. I created a challenges for her due to my intolerances to cheese, yeast, sugar (including fruit) and fermented foods such as vinegar. However Shahira proved she is an accomplished cook and able to adapt recipes to deliver the most wonderful curries. We made 10 dishes in all ranging from pumpkin curry, bean curry, fish curry, breadfruit curry, carrots and cabbage, sambol, rice, ..... starting from the basic spices for the curries used in different proportions in each with added ingredients such as curry leaves, ginger, garlic, onion..... I scribbled so much down in the hope of recreating here in the UK. Not only how to cook what we did, but what I could use instead available in the uk to adapt the recipes and also so informative about the benefits to you of the spices that we used. All in all an experience I wouldn’t have missed. Thank you Shahira I enjoyed also your conversation as well as tuition cooking in your wonderful garden.
Fionawilson
Inquiries
More Experiences
1.5 Hours
Walking
The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
2.5–3 hours
Culinary
Cook Like a Local with Shahira
A home-cooked experience rooted in care, generosity, and lived tradition.
Varies by format
Art & Design
A Living Batik Heritage Experience
Learn the disappearing art of traditional Sri Lankan batik with one of the island’s last true batik masters.
Arrack Experience at a 100 Year Old Bar
A guided tasting of Sri Lanka’s iconic spirit inside a place shaped by history.
More about
This arrack experience takes place inside a century old bar that has long been part of Galle’s social life. The setting itself holds stories of traders, regulars, late evenings, and conversations that unfolded long before the bar became a curiosity. Arrack becomes a gateway into understanding local drinking culture rather than the focus alone.
The tasting is relaxed and conversational, guided by storytelling rather than formality. You learn about how arrack is made, how it has been consumed over generations, and the role it played in coastal towns like Galle. Simple snacks accompany the tasting, grounding the experience in familiarity rather than ceremony.
By choosing this experience, you support spaces and traditions that continue quietly without reinvention. It offers a cultural encounter rooted in place, memory, and moderation revealing how everyday rituals often carry the richest histories.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Group size
Private or small groups
Starting point
Galle Town
What to wear / bring:
Curiosity, moderation
Gallary
At a Glance
A curated set of moments that capture the essence of the experience, revealing its pace, details, and character as they naturally come together.
Location
The Setting
The environment in which the experience unfolds, shaped by place, rhythm, and atmosphere, grounding each moment in the spirit and texture of its surroundings.
Guest Perspectives
Voices from the Experience
Reflections shared by those who have taken part, offering personal insights shaped by presence, connection, and moments of discovery.
While in Galle we did a fort tour with Atheeq, who has the most fascinating family/background story and therefore added to our experience. This tour was the perfect amount of talking while walking and trading stories. It's a must to take a tour while in Galle so you can appreciate all the history of this city/town. Unknowingly, we left Atheeq to then attend an Arrack tasting experience with Shehan (who is business partners with Atheeq). Instantly, we knew we were in good hands! The Arrack tasting was so much fun. Galle was our last stop in Sri Lanka so we had tried Arrack a few times, but the education behind this liquor along with the fun stories made this truly an enjoyable afternoon. While traveling, my husband and I always want to learn about (and try) whatever local liquor/drink (both alcoholic and non) and Shehan hit it out of the ballpark to not only make it authentic with local products, but made an American influenced drink too, which we had a huge laugh about. Both Atheeq and Shehan have the gift of gab. Thank you both again for a great day!
Aimee
Raleigh, North Carolina
We’ve just done a private walking tour of the fortified Galle with Atheeq from Ceylon Soul. The tour was excellent: very informative. Atheeq was very knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. We enjoyed it very much and we highly recommend Ceylon Soul for the discerning traveller.
Marcos_AUS_CH
Zurich, Switzerland
I had a personal cookery experience with Shahira. I created a challenges for her due to my intolerances to cheese, yeast, sugar (including fruit) and fermented foods such as vinegar. However Shahira proved she is an accomplished cook and able to adapt recipes to deliver the most wonderful curries. We made 10 dishes in all ranging from pumpkin curry, bean curry, fish curry, breadfruit curry, carrots and cabbage, sambol, rice, ..... starting from the basic spices for the curries used in different proportions in each with added ingredients such as curry leaves, ginger, garlic, onion..... I scribbled so much down in the hope of recreating here in the UK. Not only how to cook what we did, but what I could use instead available in the uk to adapt the recipes and also so informative about the benefits to you of the spices that we used. All in all an experience I wouldn’t have missed. Thank you Shahira I enjoyed also your conversation as well as tuition cooking in your wonderful garden.
Fionawilson
Inquiries
More Experiences
1.5 Hours
Walking
The Galle Fort Soul Walk
A slow, hosted walk through Galle Fort, shaped by lived memory and everyday life.
2.5–3 hours
Culinary
Cook Like a Local with Shahira
A home-cooked experience rooted in care, generosity, and lived tradition.
Varies by format
Art & Design
A Living Batik Heritage Experience
Learn the disappearing art of traditional Sri Lankan batik with one of the island’s last true batik masters.