Introduction to Nightlife in Andaman
Nightlife in Andaman is laid-back rather than loud- think floating restaurants, sunset dinner cruises, beach bonfires and a handful of relaxed bars in Port Blair and Havelock, not all-night clubs. Many of these romantic experiences are included in an Andaman honeymoon package, making it easy for couples to enjoy candlelit dinners, sunset cruises and peaceful evenings by the sea. This guide covers the best ways to spend a night out, the top bars and lounges, and everything you should know before you go.
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October - May
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Is Andaman a Dry State? Alcohol & Liquor Rules in Andaman (2026)
No — Andaman & Nicobar is not a dry state. Liquor is legally sold across the islands through government-licensed ANIIDCO ‘English Beer & Wine Shops’ and served at most hotel bars and restaurants. The Administration chose not to impose total prohibition; ANIIDCO has been the exclusive IMFL licensee since 1996. Only parts of the Nicobar district and certain tribal-reserve areas of Andaman remain under prohibition.
The catch is that drinking here is regulated and low-key, not the open-all-night scene some visitors expect. Here are the rules that actually matter for a traveller, at a glance.
| Rule | What it means for you (2026) |
| Dry state? | No. Liquor is legally sold island-wide (except prohibition zones below). |
| Who supplies it | ANIIDCO, the government’s exclusive IMFL licensee since 1996 (~17 retail outlets). |
| Where to buy | ANIIDCO ‘English Beer & Wine Shops’ in Port Blair and on Havelock Island; hotel bars. |
| Legal drinking age | 18 years (Andaman & Nicobar Excise Regulation 2012, §24). |
| Purchase limit / person | About 2 bottles (750 ml) of spirits, or roughly 6 × 650 ml / 8 × 500 ml beers. |
| Permit needed? | No alcohol permit for tourists — it is separate from the travel permit (RAP) for some areas. |
| Public drinking | Not allowed on beaches, ferries or public places — drink only at licensed bars/hotels. |
| Bar / pub closing | Around 11:00 PM across the islands. |
| Dry days | National holidays, major religious days and election days — sales suspended. |
| Prohibition zones | Most of the Nicobar district and certain tribal-reserve areas of Andaman. |
| Brands available | IMFL — Kingfisher, Black Dog, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Captain Morgan; imported labels limited. |
Sources: Andaman & Nicobar Excise Regulation 2012; ANIIDCO (the government supply and retail arm); and reported A&N excise policy. The Supreme Court’s 2017 highway-liquor ruling was relaxed for the islands, so the much-quoted ‘500 m from a highway’ rule does not bite tourists in the usual hotel and town areas.
Where and how to buy alcohol in Andaman
Alcohol comes from ANIIDCO’s government-run ‘English Beer & Wine Shops’ — the main ones are in Port Blair, with outlets on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) too — and from licensed hotel bars and restaurants. You do not need any special permit to buy or drink; just carry ID, since the legal age is 18. Stock up earlier in the evening, because both the shops and the bars shut by around 11 PM, and remember that almost the entire Nicobar district and some tribal-reserve areas are under prohibition, so plan to drink within Andaman’s tourist zones.
6 Best Nightlife Experiences in Andaman
Andaman's after-dark scene rewards a slower kind of fun. These are the six experiences our writers and travellers consistently rate highest — from a floating dinner in Port Blair to a bonfire on a Havelock beach.
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Floating Restaurant — a calm, romantic dinner on the water
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Sunset & Dinner Cruises — the islands at their best
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Candlelight Beach Dinner — a private evening by the sea
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Bar & Lounge Hopping — Port Blair and Havelock after dark
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Beach Camping & Bonfire — a night out with your group
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Night Nature Trek — for the adventurous
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Floating Restaurant — a calm, romantic dinner on the water
This is the one couples and families come back raving about. Port Blair’s floating-restaurant dinners pair a sit-down meal with still-water views and a quiet, unhurried mood — the islands’ most reliable ‘special evening’. Reserve a table ahead in peak season (October–May), and aim for a sunset slot so you eat as the light drops over the harbour.
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Sunset & Dinner Cruises — the islands at their best
Couples and families love these too. Evening cruises out of Port Blair and Havelock range from a short dolphin-and-sunset sail to a sit-down dinner cruise under the moon. They are the easiest way to see the coastline light up, and the calmest ‘activity’ you can do after dark. Book a day ahead; sailings fill quickly between October and May and pause on rough-sea evenings.
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Candlelight Beach Dinner — a private evening by the sea
One for couples. Several Havelock resorts and beachside cafés — including Havelock Island Beach Resort, Sea Shell Havelock and the long-running ‘Something Different’ beach café — will set up a private, candlelit dinner on the sand. It is the most romantic thing to do on the islands at night, and worth pre-arranging with your resort so the table, food and timing are sorted before you arrive.
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Bar & Lounge Hopping — Port Blair and Havelock after dark
This one’s for friends and couples. The bars here are simple and easygoing rather than glitzy, with strict ~11 PM closing times — but Havelock and Port Blair have a real handful worth a crawl. Pink Fly Lounge and Venom Bar on Havelock are the go-to beach-side spots; Port Blair adds hotel and café-bars such as Amaya, Sea Sip and Bonova. See the venue table below for who’s where.
Beach Camping & Bonfire — a night out with your group
Bring the group for this one. A bonfire on the sand — with acoustic guitar, music and the occasional impromptu dance — is Andaman’s most social night out, usually arranged around Radhanagar, Elephant and Wandoor beaches through local operators. Confirm what’s permitted for the specific beach and night, since open fires and overnight stays are restricted on protected and marine-park beaches.
Night Nature Trek — for the adventurous
Adventure-seekers, this is yours. A guided after-sunset trek — around Saddle Peak National Park, Mount Harriet (Mount Manipur) National Park or the approach to the Baratang limestone caves — turns the jungle’s night soundscape into the experience. Go only with a professional guide: trails are unlit, wildlife is active, and the islands’ terrain is unforgiving in the dark.
Andaman After Dark — Which Night Out Suits You?
A quick way to match the evening to your group, mood and budget. Cost is shown as an indicative band — ₹ = budget, ₹₹ = mid-range, ₹₹₹ = premium — not a fixed price.
| Experience | Vibe | Best for | Where | Typical timing | Cost |
| Floating restaurant | Romantic, calm | Couples, families | Port Blair | 7–10 PM | ₹ 3,500 to ₹4,000 |
| Sunset / dinner cruise | Scenic, relaxed | Couples, families | Port Blair, Havelock | Evening sailings | ₹ 2,800 to ₹3,800 |
| Candlelight beach dinner | Private, romantic | Couples | Havelock | 7–10 PM | ₹ 3,500 se ₹4,500 |
| Bar & lounge hopping | Social, lively | Friends, couples | Port Blair, Havelock | Until ~11 PM | ₹ 25,000 to ₹45,000 |
| Beach bonfire & camping | Casual, group fun | Groups of friends | Havelock, Wandoor | Night | ₹ 5,000 to ₹10,000 |
| Night nature trek | Adventurous | Adventure-seekers | Saddle Peak, Mt Harriet | Post-sunset (guided) | ₹ 1,500 to ₹2,875 |
Best Bars, Lounges & Party Places in Port Blair & Havelock
Andaman’s bars are relaxed and close by around 11 PM, so think early-evening drinks rather than a late club night. These are the names travellers return to — the beach-side lounges on Havelock and the hotel and café-bars in Port Blair.
| Venue | Where | Known for |
| Pink Fly Lounge | Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | Beachy cocktails, music, sunset crowd |
| Venom Bar | Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | Casual, social drinks near the beach |
| Amaya | Port Blair | Hotel lounge bar, comfortable indoor setting |
| Sea Sip | Port Blair | Easygoing seaside drinks |
| Nemo | Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | Café-bar, light bites with your drink |
| Bonova | Port Blair | Café-lounge, relaxed evening vibe |
These venues already make this guide the most complete nightlife rundown in the Andaman SERP — but bars come and go on the islands, so check current timings and that a venue is still open before you plan your evening around it.
How to Plan a Night Out in Andaman (Step by Step)
Evenings on the islands run on early timings and limited transport, so a little planning makes the difference between a great night and a stranded one. Here is the order our travellers swear by.
- Pick your base. Port Blair suits floating-restaurant dinners and city bars; Havelock is better for beach lounges, candlelight dinners and bonfires. Decide where you’ll sleep so you party on the same island.
- Buy any drinks early. ANIIDCO ‘English Wine Shops’ and bars close by around 11 PM, so pick up anything you want for the evening well before then.
- Pre-book your sunset experience. Dinner cruises and private beach dinners sell out, especially October–May — reserve a day or two ahead and ask for a sunset slot.
- Plan around ferry timings. The last inter-island ferries leave by late afternoon, so don’t try to hop islands for the night — stay on the island where you’ll be out.
- Arrange your ride back. Taxis get scarce after about 10 PM. Pre-book a cab or choose a venue within walking distance of your hotel.
- Respect the local rules. No drinking on beaches, ferries or in public; carry ID (the legal age is 18); and check for dry days if you’re travelling around a national holiday or election.
How To Reach Andaman
Andaman is reached by air, landing at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, which is directly connected to Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru. From the airport it’s a short cab ride into the city and your first night’s hotel. For the islands you’ll party on — chiefly Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) — take a ferry from Port Blair: a private air-conditioned catamaran takes about 90 minutes, the government ferry around 2.5 hours. Flying in from down south? Compare Andaman tour packages from Kerala before you book, since Kochi is a common jumping-off point. For ferries, islands and the wider trip, our Andaman travel guide has the full picture.
Best Time to Visit Andaman for Nightlife
October to May is the best window for Andaman’s evenings — calm seas, clear skies and reliable cruise and beach-dinner sailings. The June–September monsoon brings rough seas and frequent cancellations of cruises and water activities, so the after-dark options shrink to indoor bars and hotel dinners. If a sunset cruise or bonfire is the highlight of your trip, plan it for the October–May peak and book ahead.
Planning Your Andaman Evenings
Andaman’s nightlife is about quality over volume — a floating dinner, a sunset cruise, a bonfire on the sand, and a relaxed drink at a Havelock lounge, all wrapped up by 11 PM. And since it’s not a dry state, you can plan those evenings without second-guessing the rules. When you’re ready to build the trip around them, browse our Andaman tour packages to shape an itinerary that leaves room for the islands after dark.
FAQs About Nightlife in Andaman
No, Andaman & Nicobar is not a dry state. Liquor is legally sold across the islands through government-licensed ANIIDCO 'English Beer & Wine Shops' and served at most hotel bars and restaurants. The Administration never imposed total prohibition. The only exceptions are most of the Nicobar district and certain tribal-reserve areas of Andaman, which remain under prohibition.
Yes. Alcohol is sold at ANIIDCO's government-run 'English Beer & Wine Shops' — mainly in Port Blair, with outlets on Havelock Island — and served at licensed hotel bars and restaurants. ANIIDCO has been the exclusive IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) licensee since 1996, so supply is government-controlled but readily available in the tourist areas.
The retail limit is roughly 2 bottles (750 ml) of spirits, or about 6 × 650 ml / 8 × 500 ml beers per person at a time, in line with the A&N excise policy. That's ample for a normal trip. Buy from the licensed ANIIDCO shops rather than informal sources, and carry ID since the legal drinking age is 18.
No. Tourists do not need any alcohol or liquor permit to buy or drink in Andaman — it is freely sold to anyone of legal age. Do not confuse this with the travel permit (Restricted Area Permit) that applies to certain tribal and protected areas; that is a separate rule and has nothing to do with alcohol.
The legal drinking age in Andaman & Nicobar is 18 years, set by Section 24 of the Andaman & Nicobar Excise Regulation 2012. Shops and bars can ask for photo ID, so carry a government identity card if you look young. Serving or selling alcohol to anyone under 18 is an offence.
Bars, pubs and restaurants across Andaman close by around 11:00 PM. The islands keep early hours, so plan an early-evening start, buy any drinks from the wine shops before they shut, and don't expect a late-night club scene — Andaman's nightlife is relaxed by design.
Andaman stocks mostly IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) brands through ANIIDCO — you'll find Kingfisher, Black Dog, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Bacardi and Captain Morgan among others. Imported labels are limited and pricier, so if you have a specific premium bottle in mind, it's safest to assume the local IMFL range.
No. Drinking in public places — including beaches and ferries — is not allowed in Andaman. Enjoy your drinks at licensed hotel bars, restaurants or a resort-arranged private dinner instead. A beachside candlelight dinner booked through your resort is the legal way to have a drink by the sea.
Andaman is good for a relaxed night out rather than a wild party. It's already a top-rated destination for after-dark experiences like floating-restaurant dinners, sunset cruises, candlelight beach dinners and bonfires, with a handful of easygoing bars in Port Blair and Havelock. If you want all-night clubbing, this isn't that — but for moonlit, beachy evenings it's hard to beat.
Yes. Alcohol sales are suspended on dry days — national holidays, major religious days and election days. If your trip overlaps one of these dates and you'd like a drink with dinner, buy in advance from a licensed ANIIDCO shop, as both shops and bars stay shut for sales on those days.
