Goa has no dearth of bars. Rather, when you’re visiting the sunshine state, you’re likely to be spoilt for choice when looking for a cocktail. But how do you sift through the many options and find the ones that really stand out? We asked the state’s top foodies—bartenders, chefs, feni aficionados and more—for their pick of the best cocktail bars in the state
Best cocktail bars in Goa.
Tesouro, Colva
“Without a doubt I believe that Tesouro (Colva-Benaulim Road, Near Florida Gardens Vanelim, Colva) is head and shoulders—and probably waist—above everyone else. There’s nobody close to it by any standard—I would say The Den is close. Tesouro has a cocktail program, they don’t just have bartenders making drinks. They have guys thinking about a journey for each drink. They’re always innovating and coming up with new techniques and flavours, and experimenting with the latest trends on the market. Tesouro is the only bar in Goa, in India and, I would say, in the world that puts their Feni cocktail menu on the first page. There is nobody who does that. Everybody wants to put their whiskies and vodkas on the first page. Here’s a bar in Goa—top 4 in Asia, number 1 in India—that came out with a menu with the bestselling cocktails made with feni. For me that is why it’s special. People can go ballsy about tequila, mezcal and Japanese whisky. These guys cut the crap and do something very different and very cool, and put feni on a cocktail menu in a way that you have never tasted.” Hansel Vaz, founder, Cazulo Premium Feni
Petisco, Panjim
“What I like about Petisco (Souza Towers, Dr RS Rd, Opposite Municipal Garden, Altinho, Panaji) is that it’s a great date-night restaurant that’s well located in Panjim. The food is delicious and not pretentious at all. The cocktails are delicious and interesting—the smoked G&T is my absolute favourite drink and has fresh rosemary that is burned to release the scent. It’s simple, yet intriguing. Some other favourites include the Golden Molasses and the Petzi Mezcal Margarita, which is tequila smoked with cinnamon and jalapeno brine, and rimmed with smoked paprika and salt.”
Antares Restaurant and Beach Club, Vagator
“Antares (Small Vagator, Ozran Beach, Vagator) is a landmark and with good reason. The sunsets from here are so beautiful, the cocktails are classic and well-made, and the food is elegant and tasty. It can seem like a fancy place to be in, but it is just a great spot to hang out and meet new people. I recommend their espresso martini and mango margarita.”
The Village Bistro, Arpora
“The Village Bistro (Orchard Villas, Atinho Rd, Porba Vaddo, Arpora) is new to Goa, and run by Chef Gracian De Souza. The food is progressive, yet nostalgic. He uses local, seasonal ingredients in the food and drinks. I recommend their signature urrak and campari cocktail, and the gin with apple-infused tea and orange bitters.”
Miguel’s, Panjim
“Miguel’s (House No. 111 Bento Miguel, Old Patto Bridge, Panaji) is known for its small plates, and their open kitchen is their USP. It’s a very interactive experience with access to the chefs. It’s almost like being in a bar in Europe. The cocktails and food are delightful. Try their Ginger Fizz, which is made with gin, fresh ginger, green chilli, coriander, lime and orange and basil tonic.” Griselda Costa, chef-entrepreneur
Miski Community Bar & Dining Room, Panjim
“Miski (Near Head Post Office, Altinho, Panaji) is fairly new but sort of a traditional Goan community bar. It’s a lot of urrak and feni. You would go there for a local vibe, not for an elevated cocktail experience. It’s almost like an old-school tavern in the Panjim area and it’s really fabulous. It’s a great vibe and a great spot for people who want to have a more local experience.
Darlings Bar, Chapora
While it’s very crowded and that whole street can get super raucous, and you may not think you would get good drinks here, Darlings (Chapora Main St, Dabhol Wada, Vagator) actually makes a killer pina colada. They’re just doing a mango colada now. In pineapple season, they have an amazing pineapple cocktail that goes down super easy. It’s a bar that spills over onto the streets, but they do some really fresh cocktails and drinks with seasonal produce. It’s a great spot for pizza as well.
Edible Archives, Anjuna
Edible Archives (1301, Anjuna Mapusa Rd, Kumbhar Vaddo, Anjuna) is really known for its food—and the food is just fantastic—but they actually have a limited selection of cocktails. They have a kokum urrak cocktail that’s really fabulous. So, I would love to actually tell people that Edible Archives is a great spot to try cocktails out as well. Of course, you don’t have music to accompany it, but it’s more cocktails that go with your meal and can be savoured. It’s very seasonal, very fresh, very light and really quite inventive because it’s the kind of cocktails you won’t get elsewhere.
Antonio @31
Antonio (Rua 31 de Janeiro, Altinho, Panaji) is a great spot. They also have a kokum urrak that’s great. They have a bunch of light tapas bites and cocktails that go with it. They have this Moscow Mule equivalent, which is vodka-based and really fabulous. It’s very refreshing and exactly the kind of drink you want after a hot day out in Panjim.
Frida Cantina, Panjim
Frida Cantina (New Horizon Building, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, next to Fastrack – Time Factory, Miramar, Panaji) is a pretty excellent Mexican restaurant in Goa, in Panjim. They do some great cocktails. You get great margaritas, they make an urrak martini in season. It’s a bit of a different vibe but it suits Goa in a way. There are a whole bunch of Mexican snacks and you can pair it with some really delightful cocktails. It’s not a place everyone always talks about but they do a good job with their cocktail program.” Samyukta Ranganathan, founder, Urbanaut
Source: Conde Nast Traveller (https://www.cntraveller.in/story/best-cocktail-bars-in-goa-as-picked-by-the-states-top-foodies-tesouro-panjim-vagator/)
