bucket of ice, your favourite vodka bottle and your preferred mixer. Themed events are organised every Wednesday and special promotions are held regularly. St Rita Street, Paceville (7935 0680). Open 8.30pm-4am daily. Admission free.
Arts and entertainment Hugo Boss. See p82.
Emporio Armani for both men and women. With new names being added season after season and a plethora of clothing as well as accessories, bags and shoes, Sarto remains current – with only the best and the latest. 2B Ross Street, Portomaso (2202 1600, www.sarto.com.mt). Open 10am-8pm Mon-Sat. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Fashion accessories Porto A visit to Porto is worth your while, especially if you’ve got a soft spot for beautiful designer handbags and fashion jewellery, chosen with great taste. Everything you see in this shop is exclusive to Porto, with affordable handbag collections from Ripani, Braccialini, Radley, Tula, Tosca Blu, Lupo, Francesco Biasia and Chiara P, and fabulous designer jewellery from Coeur de Lion, Nour, Squadra Blu, Dansk, Lola Rose, Capiz and Gaby. This shop is a dream for handbag and accessory lovers. Portomaso Shopping Complex, Portomaso (2137 2079, www. portomalta.com). Open 9.30am1.30pm, 2.30-7.30pm Mon-Fri; 9.30am-7.30pm Sat; 10am-1pm Sun. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Gifts and homeware Cleland & Souchet If it is luxury homeware you’re after, then this is the place you want to visit. The selection at Cleland & Souchet, presented
in a modern, stylish setting, is extensive. Products range from wines, champagnes, spirits and fine foods to silverware, gorgeous accessories and contemporary home décor. The shop also recently launched its new in-store wine café, serving gourmet treats, a vast selection of over 400 different wines from around the world and an impressive choice of 50 wines by the glass. For cigar fans, Cleland & Souchet stocks cigars from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Block 14, Level 0, Portomaso (2138 9898, www.clelandsouchet. com). Open 10am-8.30pm MonSat. Credit AmEx, JCB, MC, V.
Nightlife St Julian’s and neighbouring Paceville have long held the top spot for the best and most varied offering of nightlife, parties and entertainment. There’s surely something for everyone to enjoy here, be it a laid-back evening of lounge music and cocktails or a long night of clubbing. BarCelona Lounge Open day and night, BarCelona Lounge transforms itself from a cool lunch spot during daytime to a happening lounge and bar as the sun goes down. The kitchen serves up some quality Mediterranean dishes, among them seafood paella and porcini risotto, as well as Black Angus rib-eye for lunch (until 3pm) and for dinner (until 11.30pm). Apart from its popularity
as a casual diner, BarCelona is also renowned for its extensive list of cocktails. New management gave this Paceville hotspot a new look as of last October, and now includes two VIP areas, comfortable sofas on the terrace, as well as high tables and chairs. Check out the website for themed nights. Ball Street, Paceville (2733 3395, www.barcelonaloungemalta. com). Open 11am-4am daily. Level 22 Sophistication and style are what draw patrons here and keep them coming back. Located at the very top of the Portomaso Tower, Level 22 provides plush surroundings and a supreme view. If you’re after something chic outside of the entertainment hub but very close nonetheless, Level 22 is worth a visit – it attracts an upmarket crowd and progresses from a cocktail lounge bar to a club throughout the evening. Kick-start your evening with a refreshing cocktail, particularly the signature mojito or caipirinha. Admission is against payment after 11pm. Level 22, Portomaso (2310 2222). Open July, Aug 9.30pm-4am daily; Sept-June 9.30pm-4am Wed-Sat. Qube, The Vodka Bar True to its name, Qube is all about vodka. With a selection of more than 60 vodka brands from across the globe and plenty of unusual flavours to choose from, you are free to create the vodka concoction of your choice. If you’re a sizeable group, you could ask for a vodka bucket, namely a
Keen on a round of poker or laidback movie night? This town has got you covered. Casinos Dragonara Casino The Dragonara Casino, housed within a stunning property built in 1870 for a Maltese marquis, is now in its 51st year of operation. With beautiful surroundings and right by the water’s edge, there’s a lot of historical and aesthetic value to this iconic spot, which has retained many of its original architectural and interior design features, but has been adapted for casino patrons. The operators have spent over €14 million on state-of-the-art gaming equipment and technology, with the result being a gaming haven, including several slot machines, table games and numerous poker tournaments throughout the week. Free transport to and from the casino is available. Dragonara Palace, Dragonara Road (2138 2362, www.dragonaracasino. com). Open 24hrs daily. Portomaso Casino Located in Portomaso, this is one of the island’s most exclusive casinos. The swanky lounge area sets the scene, and is the place to grab a quiet drink before making your way to the roulette or poker tables. There’s a variety of games to keep you entertained, including slots and punto banco, daily Texas Hold’ Em poker tournaments and cash games. The dress code is smart casual with no shorts and sleeveless shirts allowed after 8pm. You must present proof of identity
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St Julian’s
Shadow Lounge Shadow Lounge holds its own on the island’s party scene and has been attracting crowds since 2007. With its effortlessly stylish vibe, Shadow Lounge fuses the appeal of a vibrant nightclub with ultraexclusive VIP lounging. Many of Malta’s leading DJs such as JJoy, Ruby, Jesmar, Ziggy, Stevy Vee, Mykill, Pillu, Sub-C, Malcolm and many others regularly perform alongside live musicians as well as guest DJs from across the globe. Expect funky/tech house, dance and electronic dance music throughout the night. St George’s Road, Paceville (9963 0078, www.shadowloungemalta. com). Open 11pm-4am Fri, Sat (also eve of public hols). Admission free.