Offbeat Happy Hours

February 2007

Until recently, happy hours were limited to bistrots and bars. Paris is suddenly adapting the ritual to other things. For instance, the flower shop La Java Bleue sells its blooms at half price on Sunday evening. A beauty salon near the Champs-Élysées, Le Shyraz, cuts prices in half Tuesday through Thursday between five and seven p.m. John Galliano’s favorite gym, the beautifully designed, state-of-the-art L’Usine, also offers half-price admission (€25) on Thursdays from five to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights from six to nine, the Hoggar Café serves couscous free with its reduced-price cocktails (€3.80 up).

La Java Bleue 21 rue de la Villette, 19e, Métro: Jourdain, 01.42.01.22.33

Le Shyraz 18 rue de L’Étoile, 17e, Métro: Ternes, 01.55.37.98.29

L’Usine 8 rue de la Michodière, 2e, Métro: Opéra, 01.42.66.30.30, www.usineopera.com

Hoggar Café 17 rue Custine, 18e, Métro: Château Rouge, 01.42.55.93.78