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The first time I met Natalie Jayasuriya-Rodrigo was in London during the summer of 2005. I had just graduated from university and was about to fly back to Colombo to celebrate my 21st birthday. London was shimmering in its usual June dazzle, and I was out for dinner at Levant, the sensuously exotic Middle Eastern restaurant and bar, nestled between the buzz of St Christopher’s Place and the chic calm of Marylebone High Street. I remember it vividly: Natalie rolled up in her Mercedes-Benz convertible, top down, ‘90s R&B music pulsing through the speakers. She parked right outside the entrance, as if on cue. I was introduced to her by our mutual friend, Heleen Wanigasekera, although I already felt like I knew her. I had heard plenty about Natalie through her sister Natasha Jayasuriya-Rajapaksa, whom I had met in the summer of 2002 right after high school. That night set the tone for all the years to come; Natalie had this energy, this fierce presence, that made you feel like something electric was always around the corner.

Fast forward to 2025, and Natalie is now a household name in Colombo’s nightlife and fashion scenes. She’s the co-founder and powerhouse behind some of the city’s most iconic venues; Flamingo House, Love Bar, Coco Bar and Lounge, DragonFli, and the fashion retail concept FROKME. As she celebrates her birthday this April (16th), we sat down for a candid conversation about her journey from ballet teacher to entrepreneur, the challenges of breaking into a male-dominated industry, and the bold philosophy that fuels everything she does.

From ballet barre to bar counter, Natalie Jayasuriya-Rodrigo has carved out her own empire of nightlife, fashion, and unapologetic individuality. As she celebrates her birthday, we sit down with the entrepreneur behind some of Colombo’s most iconic venues and the fashion brand FROKME to talk about discipline, design, and dancing through chaos.

Q You started as a ballet teacher at your mother’s dance academy, the Deanna School of Dancing. What was that experience like, and what did it teach you about discipline and creativity?

Growing up at the Deanna School of Dancing was like training in a temple of discipline. As the Principal’s daughter, I was expected to go above and beyond; no shortcuts, no excuses. Ballet gave me razor-sharp focus, a respect for detail, and a deep appreciation for storytelling through movement. Teaching came early, and with it, a strong sense of responsibility and leadership. It wasn’t just dance; it was about communicating emotion and narrative. I apply that same principle to every space I now create.

Flamingo House is whimsical and surreal. Love Bar is sultry and sensual. Attic has that underground exclusivity.

Q What inspired the shift from dance into the nightlife and entertainment world? Was it a natural transition or a leap into something new?

It wasn’t planned, but it felt natural. I’ve always loved energy and performance, and that translated effortlessly into designing nightlife spaces. I started off consulting for Kama Colombo, and later co-founded SKKY BAR with minimal resources and no design team. It was a crazy ride, but the success of SKKY was the turning point, it made me believe I could build something from scratch.

Q Did your ballet background help you navigate the hospitality world?

Absolutely. Running a bar or nightclub is like choreographing a production; timing, rhythm, presentation, it all matters. Just like ballet, where the audience doesn’t see the hours of practice, guests at a venue may not notice every detail, but they feel the magic. That precision, that layering of experience, comes directly from dance.

Q Colombo’s nightlife scene has traditionally been male dominated. What was it like entering that world as a woman?

It was like stepping into a space where the rulebook had already been written, by men. There were no female role models to look up to in the industry, so I had to forge my own path. I had to work harder, think smarter, and prove that my ideas weren’t just ‘pretty’ - they were powerful. Today, I’ve earned my seat at the table, and I’m using it to open doors for other women too.

Q You’ve created SKKY BAR, Kama Mirissa, Studio 4, Flamingo House, Love Bar, Attic, Dragon Fly, and now Coco Bar and Lounge. Each has a distinct identity. What’s your vision behind these spaces?

Each venue is its own immersive world. Flamingo House is whimsical and surreal. Love Bar is sultry and sensual. Attic has that underground exclusivity. And Coco? Coco is my loudest child, it’s a mashup of culture, music, and rebellion. I don’t just want to build places to drink; I want to create emotional, memorable experiences that transport people.

I lead with empathy and intuition, and I think that brings a softness to even the wildest spaces.

Q How do you stay ahead of trends in such a fast-moving industry?

I don’t follow trends; I create moods. I stay tuned into global culture, but I design for timelessness. My goal is always to build something that sparks emotion and keeps people coming back. That emotional connection is the real secret sauce.

Q Do you think being a woman gives you a unique edge in hospitality?

One hundred percent! I lead with empathy and intuition, and I think that brings a softness to even the wildest spaces. I pay attention to how women feel in my venues, from lighting to layout to safety. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good. Many of my team members have been with me for over a decade. That kind of loyalty is built on culture and care.

Q What has been your proudest achievement so far?

Love Bar, without a doubt. We’re celebrating ten years this year, which blows my mind. It’s grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. Coco Bar is also a proud moment; it’s the boldest project I’ve done, and it really speaks to who I am today. Seeing people connect through something I created that’s the reward.

Q Nightlife looks glamorous from the outside, but what’s the reality of running venues?

Let’s be real; the glamour only kicks in after 9:00p.m. My days start in activewear and end in heels. In between, I’m juggling spreadsheets, staff meetings, social media reviews, crisis management, you name it. One minute it’s a power outage, the next it’s a menu tasting. It’s madness, but I love the organized chaos.

Q Coco Bar has quickly become Colombo’s first Indo-Western nightclub. What inspired this East-meets-West concept?

Coco is a love letter to my upbringing; London cool meets Sri Lankan soul. It’s bold, spicy, and unapologetic. I wanted to create a space that felt global and deeply local at the same time. It’s where tradition and rebellion meet, and the city has embraced it with so much love.

Just like ballet, where the audience doesn’t see the hours of practice, guests at a venue may not notice every detail, but they feel the magic.

Q How do you curate the vibe at Coco, from music to food to the overall experience?

Think of it like a perfect DJ set. You’ll hear Afro House and Hip-Hop, but also Bollywood and Kollywood beats. The food, curated by Chef Wishmalak, blends bold Sri Lankan flavours with modern presentation. DJs Anix and Tokio bring the freshest energy, and our karaoke line-up includes Sinhala, Tamil, and Hindi, because everyone deserves a mic moment.

Q You’ve also launched FROKME, your fashion retail venture. How did that come about?

FROKME was born during COVID, when I saw so many young creatives launching fashion brands. I wanted to create a platform that gave them visibility and support. It evolved into a hybrid; part fashion house, part incubator. Then I launched my own label, FROK, which is now expanding to India and Dubai. Our flagship at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association was a big milestone.

It was like stepping into a space where the rulebook had already been written, by men. There were no female role models to look up to in the industry, so I had to forge my own path.

Q What’s the style philosophy behind FROK and FROKME?

FROK stands for Fearlessly Rocking One’s Kingdom. It’s about bold, expressive, unapologetic style. The aesthetic is maximalist, big prints, strong silhouettes, vibrant colours. It’s for women who aren’t afraid to take up space. FROK isn’t just a look; it’s a mindset.

Q And finally: how are you celebrating your birthday this year?

With the people who’ve been there since the beginning. This year is about gratitude, looking back at the chaos and the magic and realizing how far we’ve come. There’ll be glitter, dancing, cocktails, of course, but more than anything, it’s about celebrating resilience, reinvention, and rising again and again.