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Bar Goa Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Master Critic Review
Bar Goa Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
8.2
Bar Goa is a River North Indian gastropub and cocktail bar where Goan-inspired plates meet a strong drink program, with roughly 4.2–4.3 ratings across platforms and around 800–1,500 combined reviews. The room leans buzzy and late-night, using dishes like butter chicken, lamb keema, and prawn-and-chorizo fried rice to anchor group outings around cocktails and DJ or comedy nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken, Prawn and chorizo fried rice, Gunpowder dosa
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Cocktail-driven Goan-inspired gastropub with shareable plates and nightlife energy.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing drinks, music, and flavorful Indian small plates.
When to visit: Weekend evenings and late nights for peak bar energy.
What to order: Butter chicken, prawn and chorizo fried rice, gunpowder dosa.
Insider tip: Reserve later slots for DJ or comedy nights when the room is liveliest.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly paid garages and limited metered street parking nearby; expect higher evening demand in River North and plan a garage or rideshare on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine, but most guests skew nightlife-forward in the evenings.
Noise level: Loud during peak nights with DJs — conversation can be difficult at larger tables; earlier seatings are more manageable.
Weekend wait: Expect a wait of 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak nightlife hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; crowd levels are lighter outside evening service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several small plates and curries can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items may be adaptable, but menus lean more toward vegetarian than fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Some dishes are naturally gluten-leaning; ask staff for guidance as prep is not fully dedicated.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, high-energy date than an intimate one — the cocktails and music create a lively vibe, but it can be too loud for deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible for small groups early or off-peak, but weekends and late nights book up — reservations are strongly recommended for prime hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally not ideal for young kids due to nightlife energy and volume — better suited to adults and social group outings.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-forward nights out, shareable Indian plates, and social group gatherings with music and late-evening energy.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, traditional regional cooking without fusion, or a low-noise setting for conversation.