An International Bar Exchange – Ropewalk Welcomes AMPM Kolkata to Sri Lanka.
In an exciting cross-country collaboration, Sri Lanka’s Ropewalk, known as the country’s premier arrack-specialty bar, and AMPM Kolkata, a dynamic cocktail bar from India, are set to engage in an exclusive bar exchange this November. As part of this unique initiative, AMPM Kolkata will bring its signature cocktails and innovative bartending style to Ropewalk on November 9th. The following week, on November 16th, Ropewalk will take its celebrated Sri Lankan spirit offerings to AMPM in Kolkata, marking a vibrant exchange of flavours, techniques, and heritage between these two distinguished bars.
Founded in 2023 on Kolkata’s iconic Park Street, AMPM has quickly made a name for itself as a sophisticated coffee and cocktail bar that transforms from an artisanal coffee haven by day to a spirited cocktail destination by night. Renowned for its homage to Calcutta’s social club heritage, AMPM offers a refined yet eclectic ambience that reflects the city’s cultural charm and rich Victorian influences. Rajan Sethi, Founder & MD at AMPM and Dheeraj Maniyar, Partner at AMPM Calcutta, expressed their excitement about the exchange: “We’re eagerly anticipating our upcoming international bar crossover in Sri Lanka, as it’s a new format of takeovers and guest shifts that the brand is exploring. AMPM is led by the essence of collaboration, and the team has continuously strived to take the AMPM experience overseas—we can’t wait to take it to new guests and cocktail enthusiasts in Sri Lanka. AMPM & Ropewalk’s collaboration is about fostering connections, sharing cultures, and creating unforgettable experiences through every pour.”
For its visit to Ropewalk, AMPM brings an impressive lineup of cocktails that showcase their blend of heritage and modern mixology. Among these, the Trophy Bar Punch, a unique concoction of butter andcoconut-washed gin paired with curry leaf triple sec, Sambuca, and curry leaf oil, captures the essence of Kolkata’s blend of classic and contemporary. Another highlight, the Manhattan Park Style, an interpretation of the Manhattan infused with maraschino cherry-aged rum and Darjeeling black tea, pays tribute to India’s tea culture, blending it seamlessly into a refined cocktail experience.
Amrit Rajaratnam, the founder of Ropewalk, expressed his enthusiasm about this first-of-its-kind exchange: “We’re thrilled to welcome AMPM Kolkata to Ropewalk, creating a unique meeting point between our two cultures through the art of mixology. Bringing Kolkata’s vibrant cocktail flair to Galle Fort and taking our own arrack magic to AMPM is exactly the kind of bold exchange that keeps things fresh and thrilling. We look forward to offering our guests a memorable blend of flavours and experiences that reflect both cities’ rich heritage.”
This bar exchange celebrates the artistry of mixology and the shared heritage of Sri Lanka and India. By bringing their distinct flavours and techniques to each other’s spaces, Ropewalk and AMPM aim to offer patrons a taste of each bar’s unique personality. For Ropewalk’s guests, this will be an opportunity to enjoy Kolkata’s creative cocktail craft right in the heart of Galle Fort. For AMPM’s patrons in Kolkata, Ropewalk will bring its distinctive arrack cocktails to an Indian audience, featuring signature drinks that highlight the diversity of Sri Lankan flavours.
This cross-border initiative is not only an exchange of cocktails but a cultural collaboration that underscores the connections between Sri Lankan and Indian heritage through the art of mixology.