14 of the Hottest Clubs, Bars and Beach Shacks in Goa

If you're after a classic Goa psychedelic trance party, Hill Top is where you'll find it. This iconic open-air venue has been in business since the hippie heydays of the 1970s.

It has evolved from a small restaurant into a mecca for psychedelic trance that's hosted artists from around the world. A grove of neon palm trees and groovy art installations give it an appropriately trippy vibe.

Parties happen every Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m., as well as on other special occasions such as New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve. Hill Top has also started hosting a funky new “Goa Collective” all-day market on Fridays. Plan to be there for the annual Hill Top Festival, happening from February 8 to 10, 2019.

• Location: Vagator Hill
• Open: October to April but also occasionally during the monsoon season
• Music: Psychedelic trance

Goa's most legendary beach shack, Curlies, was one of the first shacks in the state. It used to be the place to be at sundown after the famous Wednesday Anjuna flea market, although it's mellowed greatly these days.

The big party nights there are Mondays (for techno) and Thursdays (for trance). Shiva Valley, next to Curlies, is renowned for its Tuesday trance parties starting from 4 p.m. Want to stay in the area? The Prison Hostel dedicates itself to partying.

• Location: Anjuna beach
• Open: All year round
• Music: Psychedelic trance and techno

Chronicle opened in December 2013 and not surprisingly, quickly established itself as one of the trendiest places in Goa. Part Italian fine-dining restaurant and part cocktail bar with a huge open-air dance floor, stunning Chronicle is spread over five levels and carved out of the rocky cliff next to its own private stretch of beach.

The creative cocktail menu was crafted by a London mixologist. Sundowner sessions start from 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring top DJs and musicians from around the world. Plus, there are daily happy hours from 5 p.m. to kick the party off.

• Location: Little Vagator beach
• Open: November to March
• Music: Deep house, techno, and trance

This famous Greek fine-dining restaurant moved to a gorgeous new location in late 2018 but is just as awesome as ever—and continues to throw fabulous parties every night of the week, with live dance performances and DJs.

Its apt name Thalassa means "sea", and the restaurant sure offers a breathtaking sunset view of it from its picture-perfect waterfront setting facing the Chapora River. If you're there to party, glamp on the property in one of their seven luxury air-conditioned tents and enjoy your own private waterfront deck.

• Location: Teso Waterfront, Siolim
• Open: All year round
• Music: Varied

Long-running Fresh nighclub re-invented, or rather refreshed itself, into Re:FRESH Club in 2017. It's always known to have rocking parties with international DJs, underground sounds, and an up-for-it crowd. The breezy beach-side location tops it off.

• Location: Morjim beach
• Open: November to March
• Music: Electronic/techno

Ash is where the action happens on Arambol beach. This popular art venue and collaborative space and hosts live music performances, DJs and other entertainment in the open-air under the stars.

• Location: At the far south end of Arambol beach, near Cabo Wado Beach Hotel
• Open: November to March
• Music: Varies

Want to party in South Goa? Leopard Valley is a huge outdoor venue for up to 3,000 people, situated in a jungle quarry between Palolem and Agonda beaches. It's a futuristic place with lasers, pyrotechnics and costume-clad dancers. It's also the only major club in South Goa, so the Friday night events really go off. You can rock on until 4 a.m.

• Location: Palolem-Agonda Road
• Open: October to April
• Music: Psychedelic trance

Possibly South Goa's best bar, Sundowner is, as its name suggests, the place for a sunset cocktail (or few). This gorgeous, secluded bar is away from all the action and high on bohemian vibes. Their restaurant serves up mouthwatering predominantly vegetarian global cuisine, including wood-fired pizzas, too. Sundowner hosts montly full moon parties. Check their Facebook page for details.

• Location: Across the estuary at the far northern end of Palolem Beach.
• Open: November to April.
• Music: The "freshest beats straight from Ibiza".

If you'd prefer live music and an older crowd, head to Cavala. This laid-back resort has been in business since 1979, and is set in a characterful heritage house with rambling garden and courtyard bar. There's live entertainment most nights, with Friday being the biggest party night. Go for the mouthwatering Goan seafood too.

Note: Cavala has temporarily relocated across the road to Banana Republic Cafe & Bar while renovations are being undertaken.

• Location: Baga
• Open: All year round
• Music: Jazz, blues, retro, rock and roll

Classy Cohiba is another top live music venue, where the party goes on way into the morning (with the music switching up a notch at around 1 a.m.). Its vibrant Cuban flair, fusion cuisine, and signature cocktails will transport you to Havana. There's karaoke on Sundays for those who like to sing. If you perform, you'll get a free mojito!

• Location: Candolim
• Open: All year round
• Music: Everything from retro to reggae on different nights

The pick of the many places to party on Tito's Lane, Cape Town Cafe has the same owners as Club Tito and Cocktails & Dreams. It's a hip place to hang out and attracts a predominantly Indian crowd. The focus is on good food and fun, and there are happy hours until midnight. Football fans, note that there are large LCD screens for matches too. An entry fee is charged on weekends and single guys are not allowed.

• Location: Baga
• Open: All year round.
• Music: Commercial

Unique wedding venue LPK Waterfront is home to "India's first super club" -- Club LPK (Love, Passion, Karma). Set on the banks of the Nerul river and surrounded by two lakes, its unusual architecture is quite astounding. The venue has been made almost entirely of mud and stone, and has a cavernous dance floor. Add to this, terracotta statues and a 400 year-old Portuguese church in the background. A strict entry policy ensures a decent and classy crowd. It's comprised mostly of Indians. Single guys are not encouraged. The party really gets going after midnight.

• Location: Inland from Candolim
• Open: All year round
• Music: House, Bollywood and commercial

A one-stop party destination, SinQ consists of a party resort with 20 suites, and a beach club with expansive indoor and outdoor areas for night and day partying. It has a capacity of around 4,000 guests. Facilities include a state-of-the-art nightclub, swimming pool with lounges and bar, and a tavern. Notably the resort's suites have sound systems with live feeds from the DJ consoles! This is another club that caters to a mostly Indian crowd.

• Location: Candolim
• Open: All year round
• Music: Mostly commercial, including some Bollywood club nights

Nyex Beach Club launched in early 2015 and replaces the defunct Club Paradiso. The sprawling club is spread over three levels -- an indoor club on the top floor, VIP lounge on the middle floor, and outdoor lounge deck with stage on the bottom floor. Its cliff-side location provides an unforgettable 180-degree view of the ocean and also offers beach access. Special events, music festivals, and sundowner parties are often held there. A destination for late-night party people, it remains open until 4 a.m. 

• Location: Anjuna cliff
• Open: All year round
• Music: Electronic

Club Cubana is closed until further notice. Perched high up above Arpora, Club Cubana is referred to as the "Nightclub in the Sky". This very popular commercial club has been around for more than a decade and is dominated by the swimming pool and Jacuzzi in its center. The venue accommodates thousands of people and the party goes on until dawn. It has different rooms with different genres of music. Ladies' Night on Wednesdays (free drinks) and Models' Night on Saturdays are two of the biggest events there.

• Location: Arpora hills
• Open: October to April
• Music: House, hip hop, and R&B