A Complete Guide to Goa's Nightlife


A land of golden beaches and sparkling sea, Goa is synonymous with a lazy, relaxing holiday. But at the same time, this Konkan state is also one of the biggest party destinations in the country. With late-hours shacks, pubs, and clubs, groovy music, bustling casinos, and boat parties, Goa offers a nightlife to reckon with. Irrespective of your age, social status, or lifestyle choices, each and every party destination here caters to everyone under the sun.

For the itchy feet

Love to dance the night away? You will find plenty of discos and night clubs to fulfill your dancing desires. Hip-hop, trance, pop, Bollywood, metal, rock, or house; ask for it and you will have a place in some corner of this golden state where you can find the music to your liking. Tito’s on Baga Beach, Ziggy’s on Colva Beach, Temptations at Red Cab on Vagator Beach, Lido’s at Dona Paula, are few of the famous ones to rest your itchy feet. You can also go club hopping and experience the ambiance at each of them. Book a reliable and inexpensive cab in Goa for the entire night and you can hop in and out of any club at any time, without worrying about your travel.

For the monsoon lover

It rains hard in the monsoon in Goa. But that doesn’t stop the party animals from living the nightlife. A special place worth mentioning here is Bob’s Inn in Candolim. You can eat, drink, and sway to the music (live or otherwise), while the rains splash down the tiled roofs.
There’s also the Cavala Resort in Calangute, where every Saturday night, the club assumes a soulful avatar. They say this place exudes a special kind of magic during monsoon. They have theme-based nights with live bands playing your favorite songs. Although a part of a resort, Cavala is open to visitors.

For the beach lovers

Love music but don’t want to be away from the beaches? Then hit the beach shacks when they come alive as the sun goes down the laps of the Arabian Sea. Beaches like Baga, Calangute, Colva, Ashwem, and even Patnem Beach in South light up in the party mood. As you walk along the beach, lined with shacks, you can find almost all kinds of music from Goan tunes, blues, jazz, or rock, playing in each of them. You can indulge in the food, sit back and enjoy the music indoors, or sit in the open air while fine strains of music blend with the gushing waves and soothes your ears.

For the water babies

Enjoy an evening dip in the sea and laze on the beaches while the shacks and pubs gear up for the night ahead. You can order your food and drinks and eat on the beach (but make sure you clean up later). One of the best places to do this is Curly’s in Anjuna, where you can take a night swim and sit outdoors, enjoying a hearty meal and soulful music. You can also book a cab from Anjuna beach and explore the nearby beaches for similar experiences.

For the lovers of flames and fire

There’s no season for barbecues or bonfires. Places like Pine Shack on the edges of Calangute and Candolim organizes beachside barbecues on request. You can enjoy the char-grilled seafood delicacies while someone strums lilting tunes on the guitar- a perfect way to enjoy the night on a beach.

For cruise lovers

If there’s one place in India where you can drink, dine, and dance on a boat, it is only here in Goa. Book a party cruise on the Mandovi River. Most of these cruises start from Panjim right after sunset and goes on till late in the night. With live music and delectable local cuisine, complemented with a lovely view of the river banks, this is one experience of Goa’s night, you cannot miss.
For those who like a little more solitude through the night, there is an evening cruise that takes you down the more tranquil Mapusa River at the Chorao Island. Glide on the still waters as the luxury yacht crosses the sparkling skylines of Panjim and Miramar beaches on one side and the Aguada Beach on the other.

For the players

The only state in India that makes it legal to gamble, Goa is known for its casinos. There are cruises, resorts, and hotels with their in-house casinos. Try your luck at a game of Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, or Baccarat. Most of these casinos offer their dinner and drink services, making you feel like a mini Las Vegas, right here in India. Some of the best ones are The Gaming Club at the Leela Palace Hotel, Treasures at Majorda Beach Resort, Chances at Cidade De Goa, and many more on the banks of Mandovi in Panjim.
No matter what you choose to do for the night, don’t plan. Because that’s how the Goans live and when in Goa, live like the Goans do and let the magic of the land take you away.
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