Danny FernandesFriendship & friends is one such social activity and association that transcends caste barriers, social strata, creeds & linguistic divisions by forging bonds & bonhomie in the unlikeliest of people and places.
The cohesion of people while traveling, at workplaces, & even in the neighbourhoods depict the mysteries of soul & mind meet-ups. As per a famous old adage ‘Marriages are made in heaven’ but friendships are fused right from eternity is what we can infer from all human chronological narratives. We never know with whom our hearts can strike chords with and from what distance. Some people stay aloof all through their lives just to meet the right person.
Late-night activities nearby can be a favourite pastime for friends after a hectic work week. The concept of candle-lit dinners was followed traditionally in many European countries where friendships were formed sealing the passage to matrimony, although it doesn’t always culminate into final courtships. But nevertheless, getting along with each other is the first step towards life-long companionship.
The start of the 20th century paved the way for many social firsts. The development/creation of social channels like Orkut, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc, cemented the social factor and its appeal to the millennial and Gen Z masses. Nowadays it’s not only the young generation but even the oldies who want to find partners to spend some meaningful time together and express their deepest desires just to receive acknowledgment for their pent-up feelings and aches of life.
Having said so, this bonding over social networks should be executed with caution due to the safety issues. Don’t go overboard and being on your guard is the credo to follow while interacting on social media. On the other hand, person-to-person interaction is a sure and safe method as physical verification is at play in the first instance.
People well-acquainted with each other and in the thickest of friendships are splashed with a plethora of options like night-outs, nearby fun events, tours of exotic night locations, and dance floors to loosen the hair buns and shake a leg with their closest friends.
Goa being a party destination and tourism hub offers a vibrant nightlife with eclectic surroundings coupled with snazzy events extending till the mornings at a few buzzing places. Goa has always been a happening place but due to the influx of tourists and wannabe homebuyers from top metro cities and Tier-2 locations, it has changed its social fabric and character from a laid-back coastal haven to a fast-paced cosmopolitan city.
The intermingling and intermeshing of different cultures, communities, and lingua franca have altered the cultural fabric to such an extent that finding mixed cultures in many places is not a rarity in this coastal paradise. For the friend category, Goa offers multiple options for fun, entertainment, offbeat getaways & night spots to mingle and drain their stress away.
Some of the popular night-time events in Goa include karaoke nights, musical gigs, ladies’ night, concerts, night flea market walks, campfire tents, spooky location tours (aka 3 kings church at Cansaulim, South Goa), luxury fine dining, literati readings, music sessions, etc.
Goa’s event scene is replete with a wonderful variety to suit every taste and pocket. Spend a memorable night with friends nearby or visit a fun-themed park at exotic locations, you will find your heart pounding with the number of choices on offer. Night jam sessions, leisure strolls, restaurant hopping, rib-tickling stand-up comedy, and sartorial sessions are some of the activities where you can enjoy the night out with friends near you.
You can also find heart-pounding outdoor escapades and cozy indoor hangouts with adrenaline-pumping games to distress and relax. The coast also offers energetic night outs at lively beach shacks where you can treat your taste buds with mouth-watering appetizers.
Outdoor bars and swanky nightclubs where you can dance your night out are other pastimes to indulge in at night. For clique or elite groupings of friends who are single and want to mingle or someone looking for amorous dates, nights spent together can be an icebreaker tool where you can indulge in sharing interests, laugh your blues away, and connect with like-minded people Night activities such as campfires and star gazing at the star-lit sky will likely reveal the storyteller inside you that you never imagined before.
List Of Things To Do With Friends
Casino Royale & Casino Pride: Looking to take your girlfriend or would be fiancée on a royal romantic cruise dinner for a full meal course surrounded by the serene waters of the Mandovi? Look no further than the cruise liners stationed like sentinels of the Goa’s coast. An epicentre of inclusive entertainment, cruise parties are a rage for tourists and are available all year round. Night-time activates the glow all around with sparkling lights and makes the scene look heavenly.
Night Flea Markets – Arpora’s Saturday night market, Anjuna Flea Market & Ingo’s night market are some popular flea markets where you can explore and experience the true Goan vibe while purchasing antique and vintage items. Although there are other night markets in the fray, the flea markets listed are among the most popular and have been there since the 80’s.
Karaoke Bars: A great place to hone your talent and artistry in terms of singing, speaking sessions, or anything creative, Karaoke bars are a rage among the hip and intellectual crowd. Some famous bars in North Goa include the likes of St. Anthony’s Shack, The Outpost, The Perfect Cup, Ana Bar, and many others which draw huge crowds and are awake till 3 am. Karaoke bars are spots to host private parties among friends but can include an inquisitive random crowd too at times.
Stand-Up Comedy: Although the stand-up night scene is not as popular compared to metro cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, Goa is catching up fast with performers from cities landing in Goa for some quick night sessions. Sanjay Manaktala and Praveen Kumar are two of the finest comedians who can leave you in splits with their wisecracks and sartorial twists. The sessions mostly happen on Saturday nights.
Floating Tent Camps: Enjoy a romantic date under the starry skies. Don’t step out of the tent as they also have a floating restaurant and some amazing boat rides to experience the darker nights. Mayem Residency, Goa organizes such tours till midnight. You can also light a bonfire on the beach and just observe the night sky after unwinding from the tent.
Night Bike Tours/ Street Snacking: A less-known night pastime, night bike tours can really rev up your inner engine since the streets are empty and the atmosphere surreal. Indulge in some delicious street food like local favorites Chorizo, Pani puri, Biryani & Shawarma at roadside eateries if you find them.
Casino Luck: Have some extra cash to splurge? Then head straight to the casino located right along the Mandovi River and try your luck. That’s not all, you get free booze and food till you play.
Café Mambo: Situated just bang near the world-famous pub Tito’s, Café Mambo ticks all the boxes when it comes to full-on entertainment. Being Goa’s first and one among other international standard pubs since the 80s, Tito’s presence along the Anjuna coast was a gift to the tourism scene and a perfect accompaniment to Café Mambo’s appeal. Café Mambo with its exciting atmosphere offers a ready platform for dancers with its psychedelic lights and an amazing local band playing hip hop tunes on brass instruments.
Silent Noise Pub: Playing silent music on its trademark Saturday nights at Palolem Beach, this pub delivers music on low bass sounds. But don’t go by its low-intensity noise, there are flame throwers to entertain you if you feel let down along with foot-tapping DJs.
Shiva’s Valley: If we remember Anjuna from the yesteryears and the landscape surrounding it, then Shiva’s Valley is an unmistakable figure in it. Think Anjuna and Shiva’s Valley is a common occurrence. It was made famous due to the full moon parties playing trance music that transported you to a different universe. Tuesday is the D-Day at this valley which offers free-spirited, and heart-thumping music all night.
CURLIES: A traditional pub located in a shack devoid of technology where the party never ends. Find local musicians, DJs, solo musicians, and tourists intermingling all night to the beats of world music.
Cavala: A pub with a retro and antique feel, Cavala is another popular place to unwind your stress till midnight
Tito’s Club: An exclusive Goan club, Tito’s displays live bar counters, an open-air dance floor, and an exciting array of drinks to wash your palate. This was the first nightclub in Goa where the fun crowd indulged in dancing till midnight..
Britto’s: A 5-decade-year-old pub with amazing views of the Baga beach, Britto’s boasts sumptuous seafood and hip music, karaoke, and candle-lit dinners to uplift you to a regale world. Britto’s also has a vintage beach bar to get a Mexican feel to your dining experience. As stated in many reviews, you can term Britto’s as a real legend when it comes to nightlife along with Tito’s and Shivas Valley. You can ask for a solitary hammock to relax and gaze at the night sky here.
Souza Lobo Shack: A famous oldie goldie along the Calangute Baga belt, Souza Lobo’s name is synonymous with seafood and nightlife. This is a perfect spot for mixing fun and gastronomic delights.
Thalassa: A famous Greek tavern situated along the hillock in Small Vagator, Thalassa is a coveted spot for alfresco Greek dining. With rustic cane furniture and minimalist white décor, and lounge music playing in the backdrop, Thalassa is an apt spot for indulging in Mediterranean flavors while gazing at the sea. Shake a leg on the sandy beach and cool your feet in the azure waters.
Activate the OWL in you
If you are of the adventurous blood, then Goa will never disappoint you. Crafting cocktails at nightclubs, Free booze nights at shacks, houseboat trips, navigating the spooky trails, trying your hand at Beach drum circle, and trance parties at amazing resorts, North and South Goa is home to many mesmerizing escapes and retreats for all social classes. For the night movie buffs, there are iconic theatres to watch your favourite movies and barbequing at shacks for the budding Masterchefs.
Morjim Beach late-night parties, lounging on beach beds, and surfing/riding on banana boats are a few top draws for tourists visiting the coast at night.
There is no dearth of creative ideas when it comes to sparking dates and finding hangouts in Goa. The thrilling, chaotic, infamous, infectious, and colorful coast and nightlife of Goa with its incredible scenery offers mind-blowing options when the sun goes down to let your hair down at snuggly pubs and bars.
Soul Travelling organizes curated night walking trails at leisure spots, and iconic flea markets to give you a surreal night-time experience you never found anywhere.
If you need to book a memorable night trip with your friend circle or just want to settle around a campfire observing the dark nights, Soul Travelling can fulfill this request for you. Visit us at https://www.soultravelling.in to check our offerings or DM us @soul.travelling.
We are excited to take you on a night tour! Are you too?
