Tourism
of Goa
Entertainment
& Recreation
DiscothequesIn
Goa, the day isn’t lost with sundown – actually it begins to get
better and better. Swearing by the motto "Work for today, plan for
tomorrow, party tonight," Here are the top Goan nightspots where you
can shake a leg and let your hair down:
Party
Zone: Reputed to be the first disco in South Goa, Party Zone at the
Holiday Inn Resort has maintained the lead. Open thrice a week (Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday) 10 pm onwards, it is frequented more by the teenage
young crowd, especially on Saturdays. The DJ swears by pop reggae and techno
hip hop, though themes from ’70s and ’80s do figure occasionally.
What it lacks in space – a maximum of 100 people can squeeze
in at a time – Party Zone makes up in punch, being one of the most
popular hangouts in South Goa. Designed a little differently with fun-loving
traffic symbols all over, it has a well-stocked bar to keep you charged. A
secluded outdoor seating area has been provided for those wanting to catch
some air and dig into snacks. The best night to be around is, of course, on
Saturdays.
Details: There is an
entry charge of Rs 150 per couple.
Place:
Holiday Inn Resort, Mobor, Cavelossim Ph: 871303-10
Aqua:
Aqua at The Leela is a mix of entertainment lounge, casino gaming machines
and discotheque. In the evenings, it is a gathering place with soft lounge
music where you can chat others up or watch sport events on a big-size
screen. The bar, serviced by waiters, is well stocked. The three
semi-private cigar lounges allow you to poison the air in peace.
After
10 pm the place turns into a discotheque with a big dance floor. The crowd
is 25 plus age group, with a smattering of hotel guests and walk-ins.
Saturday nights are music theme nights while feature events are held once a
month with discounts on drinks and some gifts to be won.
Details:
Those below 18 aren’t allowed after 8 pm. Monday closed.
Timings:
5 pm to 1 am. There is a Rs 250 cover-charge adjusted against drinks.
Place:
The Leela Palace, Cavelossim, Mobor. Ph: 871234
Adega:
Adega Camoens is the lobby bar with discotheque at Taj Exotica. It has a mix
of solo bands, dance performers and five-piece bands belting out
foot-tapping rhythms, while a lady disc jockey charms the bar with her own
blend of music. The framed black-and-white photos of the Hollywood stars
from the ‘60s form the backdrop to Hollywood theme nights on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday evenings. During the day, the music remains light but
turns livelier evening onwards. There is a live band on weekdays, while the
disco comes on its own on Saturday nights.
In a take from the
lifestyle of the ‘60s, a giant cigar humidor welcomes you as you walk
in. A secluded and quiet cigar corner takes care of those wanting to puff on
their cheroot in peace. Try out some of their exquisite cocktails made from
the local liquor called feni.
Details:
Happy hours - 7 pm to 8 pm with 50 percent off on drinks.
Timings:
12 noon to midnight. Disco on Saturday nights only.
Place:
Taj Exotica, Calwaddo, Benaulim. Ph: 771234
Treasures:
This casino-cum-disco at Majorda has a slew of slot machines like Russian
Roulette, Black Jack, Caribbean Gold and Pearls, not to mention a pool
table. The whole setup has been designed as a pirate ship with a rustic
ambience and life-size statues of pirates greet you as you enter. Replicas
of ancient muskets and guns hang on the walls above gunpowder barrels. The
bar serves up exotic cocktails. The dance floor attracts a mixed crowd. This
must be the only disco in Goa from where you can send an email.
Details:
Casino open 12 pm onwards.
Disco after 8 pm. All days a week. No entry
charge.
Place: Majorda Beach Resort,
Majorda. Ph: 754871-80
Avloc:
Avloc at Colva, well known in party circles, is billed as "a place
where people hang out with their friends or just chill out after a hard day
at work or simply a place where you can just can let yourself break free."
It has theme nights every day of the week except Monday – jazz
(Tuesday), Disco (Wednesday), oldies and classics (Thursday), rock (Friday),
disco (Saturday) and world music (Sunday). A cocktail bar and sizzlers keep
you occupied when not dancing while a big screen allows you to see football
or cricket matches. DJs from Goa, Mumbai and even Europe frequent the disco.
Details: Monday off.
Timings:
8 pm - 2 am (weekdays) and 8 pm - 4am (weekends).
Phone:
788126
Club
Cabana: Located at Arpora, 3 kms from Calangute market off the Anjuna
road, Club Cabana is on a hilltop overlooking the entire Calangute stretch,
with a nice view of the sea as an added bonus. The enthusiastic
owners-cum-hosts – the Shahs, who stay right next to the club –
are up and about to ensure a warm welcome to the guests.
The club
has outdoor and indoor areas spread over various floors, which also means
that you can have a private party if you wish. The huge structure, complete
with a swimming pool, accommodates an awesome 1,500 people. Club Cabana’s
theme nites are noted for fun costumes and background decor – farmer’s
nite and prisoners’ nite being the most popular. There is a bar and
tandoor (barbeque) too for you to have your fill.
Details:
Entrance limited to couples.
The place comes on its own after 10pm and
is up till the last guest leaves – which means that sometimes they are
open till breakfast. No entrance fee, but entry gets restricted once it gets
too crowded.
Place: Arpora, near Marinha
Dourado hotel.
Phone: 279799
Club
Tito's: In Baga, Tito’s really doesn’t need an introduction
– the place is always chock-a-bloc with party-poopers. One of the first
discos in Goa, it is right on the beach and is a popular watering-hole for
the tourists and Goans alike.
Adding to the punch is a good bar and
a restaurant. They have revamped the whole place this season and have theme
nites every day of the week with DJ’s playing music like retro, trance,
hip hop and reggae.
Details: The
discotheque is open from about 9.30 pm to 3.30 am all days.
Entrance
charges around Rs 250 per couple.
Place:
Baga
Phone: 275028
Ryb:
This is the new kid on the block – a nightclub that may have opened on
the premises of the Taj Holiday Village, Sinquerim, by the time you read
this. It will be more of a pub and lounge area with a small dance floor. The
decor in wood and metal is contemporary with low seating sofas. It will
feature music theme nites, focusing on a particular artist or band. The pub
will promote the local brew feni in special cocktails that will be served in
mud pots. No entrance will charged.
Details:
It will open every evening from 5 pm onwards
Place:
Taj Holiday Village, Sinquerim
Phone:
276201
