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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