Drift Pool Bar’s All Women Team is Bringing New Energy To Goa’s Nightlife

Perched above the lush canopy of North Goa, close to the perennial crossroads of old Goa bohemia and new-money luxury that is Anjuna Beach, Drift Pool Bar at The Westin Goa is not a venue that arrives quietly. Its proposition is clear from the moment you walk in: an entirely all-women team spanning the kitchen, bar, and service floor, a menu that treats Goan culinary heritage as a living tradition rather than a museum piece, and an in-water dining experience that has become something of a signature for the property. 

In an industry where female representation in front-of-house nightlife roles remains the exception rather than the rule, Drift’s identity carries genuine weight. “This shift expands that image rather than replacing it,” says one of the floor team. “It demonstrates that expertise, leadership and creativity are not defined by gender.”

Goa on a Plate, and in a Glass

The menu is where Drift’s ambitions become most tangible. Xacuti Gyoza, Pork Vindaloo Gyoza, Bhakari Prawn Tacos, Bhut Jolokia Chicken Wings, these are dishes rooted deliberately in the Goan larder, even as their formats travel further afield. The technique may be global but the soul, as the floor team puts it, remains Goan. “Xacuti is introduced as one of the region’s most iconic spice blends,” a team member explains. “It is layered, aromatic and deeply traditional. That connection creates familiarity. The narrative then shifts to how those flavours have been placed inside a gyoza. The format feels global while the soul remains Goan.” 

The beverage programme follows suit, with more than twelve Goan gin variants, local feni infused with regional spices, and a cocktail list that maps the state’s coastline, the Palolem Paloma, the Morjim Mule, the Miramar Melon Picante, each drink a small portrait of a different stretch of shore.

Service as Theatre

The in-water dining experience demands a very particular kind of service, precise and unobtrusive, theatrical without tipping into performance. The team are well aware of the distinction. “Service at Drift demands presence,” one floor member reflects. “Immersive experiences such as in-water dining require awareness of movement, posture and precision. Every detail becomes visible in a setting like this. Movement must feel effortless and interactions must feel natural. The goal is not simply to serve but to host with intention.”

Guests who have spent time in more conventional bar environments often notice something different about Drift’s atmosphere, a quality that is harder to name than to feel. “The atmosphere remains dynamic and indulgent yet carries a sense of warmth that makes the space feel welcoming and refined at the same time. Guests tend to engage more openly. The energy is vibrant yet composed.”

More Than a Symbol

The question worth asking is whether an all-women team constitutes a genuine structural commitment or a seasonal talking point. At Drift, the Westin’s leadership have been deliberate in addressing it. Recruitment processes were redesigned to ensure equity of access, growth pathways mapped clearly from the outset, and mentorship structures connect newer talent with senior leadership across departments. 

“Policies around workplace safety, flexibility and performance evaluation have been strengthened to support sustainability,” says Harish Gopalakrishnan, General Manager of The Westin Goa. “This initiative is embedded in daily operations and measured through progression and retention. It is a long-term commitment to inclusive leadership within the property.” For the women on the floor each evening, the significance is felt in quieter ways. The measure of success, one team member suggests, is deceptively simple: “When guests leave speaking about exceptional service rather than who delivered it, that is the true sign of change. Representation becomes natural and not performative.” At Drift Pool Bar, that standard is already being met.

Where: The Westin Goa, Dmello Vaddo, Anjuna, Bardez, Goa.

When: Open 4:00 PM – 1:30 AM.