Classic Combination

Inn… On the Green offers the best in history, ambience and value for money

By Ursula Gonsalves

From the moment you set foot into this former British Pub, you feel like being taken back in time to an era where good food went hand in hand with a good time. With the entrance facing the Galle Road, The Inn… On the Green, managed by the Galle Face Hotel pays tribute to this golden era. Maybe it was the large beer kegs that were used as part and parcel of the interior, or maybe it was the welcoming feeling I discovered when I saw the cosy bar stools and tables at the pub, it was one of those places that you felt sure you could enjoy an afternoon with either your friends or family.
Taking a look back, Galle Face Hotel can be named as the first purposely built hotel in the whole of South East Asia, with the main intention of housing the governor’s guests during their stay here on the island. The pub too, though run under various names and management, was also one of the favoured bars of the British and other guests. “Its been said that in the earlier days, currency notes of the many guests from various countries who visited the hotel were put up on display on the large wooden beams running across the ceiling of the pub”, commented the hotel’s Food and Beverage Service Manager, Fazlin Ahamed.
The Green, as it is fondly known, aims to cater to expatriates as well as the younger generation who are out and about Colombo, looking to have a good time. “There are so many things the pub has to offer that are unique in its own sense” emphasised the Assistant Manager – Public Relations of Galle Face Hotel, Onitha Gurugalla. “Apart from the regency feel to it, the Green has a variety of entertainment events to keep the visitors coming back for more.” The pub offers live entertainment on Tuesdays and Fridays with keyboard and guitar and Saturdays with some jazz music to keep your toes tapping. On Wednesdays the Green offers another form of entertainment in the guise of a quiz, where quiz master Darren Frost interacts with the customers and questions them mostly on general knowledge. Customers don’t just walk away empty handed, since attractive prizes are handed out to the top three contestants. There are TV screens that air regular sporting events on a giant screen as well. “We have the cricket tournament with Pakistan these days” Fazlin says. “The crowd enjoys getting into the mood watching the action on giant screen.” Onitha also adds that plans are on the way to have an open microphone night once a week in collaboration with a local radio station. “We just want the guests to enjoy their time spent here.”
Ample parking facilities are also available at the Galle Face Hotel entrance as well as the Regency entrance. The pub’s Happy Hour period spans from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and offers a 50% discount on shots of all beverages. Now for the most important aspect of the pub, yes, the food. Prepared by the chefs at the main kitchen, customers can indulge themselves in a variety of pub food set out to a full menu. The starters range from salads to soups, and snacks include chips, chicken kievs or even vegetable samosas. The delectable pub burgers are offered with beef, chicken or fish with selected toppings. Customers can also choose from a wide range of sandwiches, or opt to make their own sandwich by selecting their three favourite fillings from a list. For main courses, customers have options from various dishes of pasta and sauces to mixed grills and pies.
“We also have our very own Day’s Special,” explains Fazlin, “This could very well be an oriental dish that most foreign as well as local customers are adapted to, or it could be your regular Pol Roti! It’s all about keeping things unique.” So what’s so special about this colonial pub? The unique setting? The rich history and culture? The entertainment? “It’s a mixture of all those facts” Fazlin quips, “We like to call it one simple phrase – Value for Money!”
So if you want to spend some quality time idly listening to some good ol’ jazz or taking a quiz while the sun sets on a tired day of work, head towards the place that creates an enchanting 19th century atmosphere around you, head towards the In…On the Green located at the Galle Face Hotel.