Top choices - Paris e-guide: The Travel Guide with its Own Website - page 13

Publicis Drugstore (see p83) ; music and videos at Virgin
Megastore (see p223); and general supermarket provi-
sions and beauty products at Monoprix (see p220) . It's
even possible to get a free makeover at Sephora (see
p220) - perfect for a pre-club transformation. Nearby,
pick up delicious Lebanese titbits at Pavillon Noura and
flowers at 24-hour Elyfleur. Over in the Marais, topics and
wine are on offer at La Belle Hortense (see p139) .

Exotic Pleasures
Les Jardins d'Alexandrie, 28 rue Marbeuf, 8ème, 01 42 25 14 48;
Café Egyptien, 112 rue Mouffetard, 5ème, 01 43 31 11 35
Hook up with a hookah and smoke some shisha at an
authentic Arabian spot. Les Jardins d'Alexandrie offers
up-market lounging as you listen to Arabic music and
drag on sweet tobacco in between sips of mint tea. It
also serves delicious food. Over on the Left Bank, Café
Egyptien is a more laid-back affair, and while the decor
may be simple the shisha menu is extensive, and not
even remotely expensive for the excellent quality. Both
venues stay open until around 2am.

Rex (see p135) and Batofar (see p151) . Latino lovers
should join a salsa session at the Latina Café (open
daily), but if you prefer a little more of a multimedia
approach, head to alternative club space Project 101
(see p147) .

Cinematic All-Nighters
Cinemas, in particular those on the Left Bank (see
p120) , often run special directors' retrospectives at
which three films are shown back-to-back starting at
midnight on Saturday. Breakfast is included for the
survivors. If an all-nighter is too much, several movie
theatres run special midnight showings of headlining
films (also on Saturday nights). Check listings maga-
zines such as Pariscope for details.

Late Bars
Chao Ba, 22 boulevard Clichy, 18ème, 01 46 06 72 90
The city is full of places to suit drinkers who prefer to
start late and end early, and this after-2am crowd tends
to be more relaxed and friendly than cocktail Cinderellas
who start at a reasonable hour. Fortunately, late bars
don't charge entry. Unfortunately, drinks tend to be
pricey. But when only an all-nighter will do, head to one
of these bars, which really get going after midnight: Le
Connetable (see p137) is perfect for a très French
session that often lasts until dawn; the Highlander pub
(see p212) is open earlier
but is absolutely jammed
after hours; Le Bar (see
p135) is a quiet place for a
late tipple; Le Crocodile
(see p141) is a prime spot
for cocktails; and the Chao
Ba is a rather classy drink-
ing den in Pigalle.

Dancing the Night Away
Check www.novaplanet.com, www.flyersweb.com and www.
lemonsound.com for special club nights and one-off events;
Latina Café, 114 avenue Champs-Elysées, 8ème, 01 42 89 98 89
From up-market boîtes , to totally unpretentious - if
somewhat seedy - haunts, Paris has every aspect of
the clubbing scene covered. Those chasing the latest
big thing should check the listings for any night run by
party collective La Johnson. Current darlings of the
clubbing set, they specialize in running very cool parties
in distinctly uncool clubs such as La Scala and Club
Madeleine Plaza. Alternatively, hit perennial favourites
such as Le Queen (see p145) , Le Cab (see p132) , Le