The
partying scene in Goa in changing rapidly. Every couple of years, there is a new venue that attracts locals
and tourists alike, and hence, today, there’s no dearth of options. From places
that can play live music to the electronic dance music, Goa has it all.
Yet, slowly, a new trend has been taking shape, where friends
get together at their houses or they rent out a boutique villa or some exotic
location in Goa.
“There can be a sense of ‘been there, done that’ when it comes
to choosing a place to have a good night out. It’s not that we do not go to
these places anymore, but sometimes, we prefer a smaller setting, where we have
everything that we like to enjoy,” says Ralph Pacheco from Margao.
“Earlier, it would probably just be an impromptu barbeque party
but now these parties are being planned in such a way that interest is
generated by the manner in which they are organised. This could be a night were
we try our hand at cooking a new cuisine and then sharing the cooking
experience with our friends, “states Ankit Virginkar from Panjim.
Besides food, there is a lot more that goes into giving the
place that extra special vibe, be it the attention to décor, music or the
activities that take place at these parties, many of which are spontaneous.
“Friends brings their friends and you get to meet new people. There are people
from different backgrounds, not always only from Goa and you get to talk to
people you may share common interests with,” says Kimberly Menezes from Colva.
The fact that Goa is a popular tourist destination goes a long
way in organising these parties as there are many locals who are associated
with the hospitality industry and who hear about the latest trends that can be
incorporated in these house parties.
“There is a lot more you can do at these parties than say at a
club, pub or a shack. We are more comfortable in this space, with the kind of
people we know or who we meet; there are also a lot of fun party games that we
can try. These might sound silly but you end up having a great time,” says
Samantha Gomes from Calangute.
The flexible timings these house parties offer also play an
important role in their popularity.
“It’s these kind of nights that leave you with such great
memories. You can always go to a club and enjoy the night but these nights are
different. They have that sense of joie de vivre, great vibes and a time
where we are away from our phones and social media,” adds Reshma Haldankar from
Vasco.
Another pro for house parties is the ability to customise them.
Sometimes there are various themes set for the night, such as a specific dress
code or costume party, ‘bring your own booze (BYOB), potluck parties, pool
parties or specific live acts.
“There
are lots of Goans who have guests visiting from other countries and there is a
mix of cultures and ideas. This gives you the freedom to organise stuff they
are comfortable with or go the opposite way and introduce them to new
experiences,” says Pranav Naik from Mapusa.
