The din gets louder, peaking at Christmas and New Year. it is that time
of the year when businesses pull out all the stops to lure travelers
stroll past and you will see
every shop spruced up with lights and colour, each with a different
genre of music to invite you to its doorstep. Go to the most happening
shack or restaurant, the crowed will tell you whether walk in or not.
Club Cubana, a nightclub atop a hill in Arpora, is a must see. It is a
place where the creme de la creme of society let their haii- down. You
can do a bit of stargazing and spot Bollywood stars like Sanjay Dutt,
Pooja Bhatt, famous cricketers, celebrities like Gautam Singhania,
Malini Ramani and top-notch CEOs. Incidentally, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday have different theme nights, so call and confirm. Entry is around
Rs800 per couple, with drinks included. The relaxed atmosphere, with a
pool gleaming on the hill, and a quaint tiled discotheque with different
bars on either side will help you unwind. Order a Souvlaki and saunter
towards the comfortable balcaos, beanbags and sofas.
 Tito's, a legend that started the party fever in Goa, is usually
jam-packed with people. The disco at Baga plays hip-hop, rock, pop, R
and B and lots more. A cover charge will get you in. Ask for the menu to
get the prices right. If you prefer open spaces, there is always Tito's
restaurant where you can chill out with a martini. Mambo's, the shack
next door, also gives you enough music and dancing that carries on till
the early hours. You might run into local and national celebrities here
too. Kamaki, just down Tito's lane, is a bar usually filled with stags,
so stay away, if you aren't feeling overly sociable. On the Rocks, also
at Baga, is a lounge bar with quaint tents, plush sofas and an AC disco.
La Calypso's Club Blue, at Baga, is the scene of much action, though the
crowd might get a little on the wild side. The cover charge is usually
Rsl50 per couple.
In Candolim-Sinquerim, Vanilla Lounge is where the music and spirits
never cease. Retro is what the nights are all about. Live music and
acclaimed DJs are its forte. Laser lights dance on the barge run
aground, making it quite a setting! Though there have been many attempts
to dismantle the ship, the government's lackadaisical attitude coupled
with endemic corruption have led to no action being taken. Incidentally,
the ship has become quite a landmark even though protests rage on in
many quarters. Thus, the ship remains an eyesore for locals and a
tourist attraction for others.
The lounge bar at Kama Sutra, in Baga, is known for its weekend theme
evenings and delicious cuisine. There is also Sweet Chilli near Aguada
that overlooks the backwaters and has live music throughout the week. To
get a feel of other places to party, check out Matrix, a disco
underwater at Arpora, or Club West End at Saligao and Fahrenheit at
Calangute (not highly recommended). Nine Bar at Vagator is worth a
mention as it is the place to see' a perfect sunset. The flip side is
that it closes early. Each discotheque has a special day set aside for
ladies night, so check out what's convenient and hop in. The Boomerang
Bar at Club City in Calangute is open 24-hours and gives you space to
relax, enjoy food from a well-stacked food court, a pool table and great
company.
 In Goa, the beach is where the festivities get louder! Shacks like the
Boat Shack, Big Zappa, Claudina's (one of the only shacks that play live
music) and Spotty's at Candolim Beach, down the main Candolim Road,
always have something interesting on the cards. Club 21, known for its
food and atmosphere, also rocks during the season with the owner, Pele,
a football fanatic, who regales you with English League highlights!
Calamiri's at Sinquerim also deserves a mention. If you want the
atmosphere of a shack in a classy set-up, Ceumar on Candolim beach is
the place for you. Known for its sensational cocktails, this
shack-restaurant is set on stilts and has a wooden deck for those who
don't want to get their feet dirty. Bosco's and Big Banana, down CSM
Road, are filled with tourists soaking in the sun. And down Tito's lane
are Zanzibar, Marine Shack (with a Fooseball table) and Lucky Star for a
night under the stars.
Restaurants like Britto's at Baga, Souza Lobo at Calangute and Palm and
Sands at Sinquerim have live music on specific nights in a family
atmosphere. Most shacks have barbecue nights, an amazing array of
fireworks, limbo dancers and fire-eaters, so each shack has its own
special evening.
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