Atop a hill in Arpora, in North Goa, nestles a party place that appears to be away from the gaze of tourists and locals, and, yet, can be described as the one spot in Goa that provides an ambience of a great night spot for the elite of the country – it’s Club Cubana.
To many guests visiting Goa, Club Cubana is a night club in the sky that does not disturb the locals, whilst providing music in a setup that fuses class and courtesy right through the night.
Club Cubana comes to life around 9.30 in the evening and picks up momentum as the night grows older, and by midnight is ready to receive its first guests on the dance floor.
“I first came to this place in 2015, and tried coming again whenever I visit Goa, but always found it closed. I was happy to find it open today because I think this is the best club in Goa,” says Karan from Jammu and Kashmir, who has settled in Dubai.
Club Cubana started in December of 2005 and since its inception, as guest Karan said, switched on and off because the concept was too earthy for many in the entertainment industry in Goa.
Perched on top of the hill, Club Cubana is designed to keep the customer in mind, right from the entrance to the exit. The parking space is huge and safe. All guests are driven from there to the night club on top – a distance of half a kilometer – by jeep.
The hill on which the club sits is not cut, but polished in places where guests can choose between two bars – the exclusive or the non-exclusive where the entrance fee is Rs 2,600 per head.
The concept of a 'Ladies night' was introduced in Goa at Club Cubana, and that is why the vibes are best on Wednesdays when ladies with fine outfits – that make them look sexy and yet not showy – make the most of their evening out.
“It is different here on a Wednesday. The full setup brings out the aristocratic charm of Goa, and, for once, the riff-raff cannot be seen. We sit, drink, snack, dance and chat without a bother,” admits Seema who is part of a group of three.
The ladies night out is not just about free entry for women (they are charged Rs 1,200 normally), but as Michel thinks, “It is a night where we can just be ourselves without having to worry.”
Club Cubana offers a view no other place in Goa can. It offers freedom when crowded, and just allows guests the feeling of partying in a known domain. “I always come here when in Goa because unlike other places, this is hassle-free,” says Rashim who enjoys meeting people.
The music at the club keeps guests on a beat, and swings between techno and hard soul with couples being able to let love flow through. “We like the crowd here. I think it is the best,” reflects Seona as she puffs from her partner’s cigarette.
Parties at Club Cubana normally peak after midnight, and by three in the morning, the music makes room for romance. After a good four to five hours of merriment, it is time for love to find solace in the silence of nature.
“I normally make a minimum of 300 trips up and down every night. Each jeep covers roughly around 80 km,” says the jeep driver, as he drives the customers to the parking lot after a hard night of partying.
As he drives back up to bring more guests, for many, it is a time safely spent where the emphasis is on offering the best in Goa for those ready to pay the price.