Lounges in Goa are dime a dozen, with each place trying to outdo each other by fresh ideas packed in sensational ambience. Goa has become quite a tourist magnet with each passing year, resulting in an influx of trendy pubs and lounges fighting for a space. If you want to party like a native then parading in south goa is your best bet, where you will end up bombarded by various great lounges and pubs to experience the local flavour. ‘Barcode Lounge and Grill’ happen to be a personal favourite, encased in a charming locality of Penha de Franca, just opposite Goa Scan Centre at Alto Porvorim. The place is not difficult to find and is a lively busy place, enlivened even more as the evening falls. For those who want to party in Goa with some good live music and a cosy ambience, Barcode Lounge and Grill can prove to be a good solution.

Like many quaint dining spots in Goa, Barcode Lounge and Grill enjoys a lovely colonial façade, where an old house is converted into quite a wonderful dining spot. As you step onto the threshold, you will come upon a delightful open garden, which little further opens into a stark black and white dining area. As colourful as the exteriors are, the inside is quite unexpected and surprisingly opposite to what you might hope to find. A simple well-spaced room is done entirely in monochromatic tone of black and white, with a bar area in the corner carrying the barcode pattern. Walls are mostly left bare, except for the occasional frame or a mural of a woman. To sit they have provided grey formal tables along with matching chairs and sofas, to be chosen as the mood deem fit.

The vibe at Barcode Lounge and Grill is casual, relaxed, buzzing and cosy. Each table is lit by a small votive candle in the evenings, casting a romantic haze on the evening. Food wise, the lounge is quite satisfying. Indulge in American, Continental and some regional Goan fare as a start. Commence with. Prawn cocktail, mushroom cappuccino, cheese fondue, grilled chicken supreme, stuffed crabs, quesadillas, bruschetta and crispy sardines. Main course pans widely between North-Indian and Goan curries, grilled fare, pastas and even some European delicacies. For your sweet tooth go for baileys bomb, serradura, desi guava ice cream, matka kulfi and chocolate mud cake.