Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat

Crawlers flood the beachy states coastal pubs and clubs like bees to fragrant flowers. What makes this little palm dotted haven such a popular destination for so many is what Andrea Newton, local resident and fire dancer, sheds some light on…

It’s been no hidden secret since the time of the original flower children who flocked to Goa in the late seventies that there is a beautiful energy present here that attracts people from all over the world to gather together in the name of music, love and dance and celebrate oneness under the blue skies and sparkling moon. Since the days of Anjuna full moon raves in the post psychedelic era, not much has changed in terms of all night boogieing and coloruful people. The only difference being that now you can pick and choose your night out according to whatever you fancy. Whether you want a rustic barefoot jungle dance experience or a posh Dolce and Gabbana clad cocktail night, Goa has a little bit of everything to make your holidays the most memorable and pulsating time of your life. Perhaps we should do a little tour starting from the tip of North Goa’s coastal beaches to analyze what kind of scene one can expect and when.

ARAMBOL

This is definitely the artist hub of Goa. From jugglers to yoga enthusiasts, designers to dreamers, Arambol attracts some of the most diverse crowd one can find anywhere in the world. The non-pretentious beach shacks offer reggae parties, juggling nights and some trance gigs during the season. Reggae and dub have suddenly become very popular here in Goa, with pioneers like Rudy Roots (France) and the Reggae Rajahs (India) pooling in to collectively improve the scene and introduce more people to this bouncy, uplifting music scene. Rastafari girls with dreadlock bee hive hairdos and African inspired dancing will make sure you get off your seat and join in the fun. Arambol is also home to immensely talented juggling collective of professional clowns, hoopers, fire artists and poi spinners. One of the most amazing events of the season is the annual Juggling Convention organized by Tom Shanti (Ger) and attracts a kaleidoscopic myriad of international dancers and performers from every corner of the country. Other stellar events are the Tribal Fest and the Burlesque Fest, both bringing some sensuality to the already sizzling town.

MORJIM

Morjim has always been the techno hub of north Goa. It’s home to some of Goas finest techno DJs and you can find at least three techno parties alongside each other during the season. Clubs like Marbella and Club Fresh offer some mainstream high end acts on Saturdays and Sundays whilst other underground shacks offer a more cozy and discreet party experience. Most people are seen party hopping depending on which club is most happening and which DJ is spinning.
Morjim also has a beautiful live music scene that not many people are aware of. But many shacks host bands and acapella singers during sunset time, so if you’re ever on the beach and enjoying your lazy weekend be sure to check out some sweet serenades as well.

VAGATOR

Vagator has become home to India’s biggest electronic festival- Sunburn. The gorgeous hill that overlooks the sea becomes a playground for EDM lovers for three days in December. It is also home to one of Goa’s leading psytrance venues – Hilltop. Hilltop is definitely Goa’s pearl when it comes to showcasing the crème de la crème of the psy-trance community. With breath-taking décor and star performers, music is not the only element that is paid attention to. There’s nothing like dancing under the fluorescent coconut trees alongside fairies and wizards on a Christmas morning before you meet family for your heavy Christmas lunch! 9Bar is another age-old psychedelic location. It is one of the last remaining original venues and it’s modest interiors and dancefloor are no justification to the oodles of fun one can have stomping in the moonlight. Two other great venues not to be skipped are Chronicle and Waters that offer deep house and techno nights, so if the heavy bass and high bpm of psy-trance doesn’t really float your boat, the slightly more groovy and sexier vibes of the above two venues should do it for you.

ANJUNA

Anjuna has and always will be a trance hub. It needs no explanation and almost every beach shack will have their regular psy nights. But hand in hand with the all night raves are the candle-lit live music nights at venues like Guru Bar, Tamarind Hotel and Rocket Burger. Café Lilliput offers the widest range of music from Bollywood nights to hip-hop nights, even house and tech and psy. A few other nice venues are UV Bar and Pirates Café. Dali Bar by far is a local favorite for their cosy atmosphere and family vibes. Some nights offer live music whereas others techno music or you could even go there to catch a football match. It’s definitely a spot for all the night crawlers of North Goa to gather together and enjoy a beer or a smoke and discuss the daily on goings of this bustling town.

CALANGUTE & BAGA

For all-year-round entertainment, this is definitely the spot for all the party people. Spots like Mambos and Titos have been on since forever and offer commercial music which caters to the mainstream tourist collective. With beautiful acrobatic performances from time to time, venues like the above also pair gorgeous entertainment alongside the exciting music. For live music, every other restaurant or bistro has regular bands and dancers to enthrall their guests. You can hear country music from one side to Rajasthani folk in another. The spectrum is colorful and limitless and sometimes even notes of Fado can be heard over the heavy honking on the mainstreets. Whatever your cup of tea maybe, one can be rest assured that Goa is definitely got something for everyone. Pack your dancing shoes and plan your holiday be it with your lover or your girlfriends or even your mother! Prepare yourself for long nights, late mornings and sore soles. But fulfilled souls is a guarantee.

Planet Goa Team

For us at Planet-Goa, our team is driven by that feeling of exhilaration that one gets when discovering that something ‘unique’ and ‘new’ about Goa for our ever-so-discerning readers.