Calling all insomniacs

club dancing Late night shopping

Asda (184 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 0115 981 3223) is the place to head for if you wake at 3am remembering an important birthday present you need to buy. Don’t get caught out by the stupidly early weekend closing times though. Other than that, you’re not really going to be spoiled for choice, with most shops shutting up shop (literally) at 5.30pm, or occasionally (gasp) 6pm. Oh, the brazenness. Waterstone’s (1–5 Bridlesmith Gate, 0115 948 4499) stays open until a comparatively heady and decadent 7pm. How do they manage? So if you’re busy during the day, say at work, or something like that, then we guess you’ll just have to suck it up and shop at the weekends like normal folk do. Late-night shopping? Never heard of anything more ridiculous.

Late night drinking

Now this is more our scene. You may not be able to buy a pair of shoes after work, but at least you can get leathered. With a lot of the city centre drinkeries staying open late at weekends, you’re spoiled for choice in Nottingham. Dogma (9 Byard Lane, 0115 988 6830) keeps it rockin’ until 2am on weeknights and on weekends doesn’t even think about shutting before 3am. Wax Bar (27 Broad Street, 0115 959 0007) feels the love until 2am on weekends, but taking the prize has to be Tantra (20 Victoria Street, 0115 985 9955) which stays open until 3am every single night.

Fags at 4am

Asda (184 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 0115 981 3223) is a 24-hour store, so you can not only pick up your cigs, you can claim the first bread out of their bakery in the small hours. The Shell Petrol Station (Priory Island Derby Road, Beeston) stays open all night if you fancy a soggy curled edge egg and mayo sandwich with your cig at 3am. However, if you want to sock it to the man, then Kaya (91 Alfreton Road, 0115 970 0777) is a cheeky little takeaway that also serves booze, cigs and groceries well into the night.

Post club action

Alea Casino (108 Upper Parliament Street, 0115 872 0601) is open 12pm–6am. The main bar is open to non-members. If you want to use the luxury ‘hidden room’ (honestly not as ominous as it sounds) or the gaming rooms, you have to take out their free membership. If you want somewhere stylish rather than seedy and don’t want a clubbing atmosphere, this will hit the spot.

Food now

Tastee Kebab (177 Alfreton Road, 0115 978 5710) serves food until late, or very early in the morning, depending on your perspective. They’re open 6pm–5am for brilliant kebabs as well as sit down meals; it offers good value and a wide range of curries, all available to take away to the comfort of your own bed. Or someone else’s. If you stumble out of the club at 2am dying for a decent curry, then Sapna (16 St James Street, 0115 941 1026) ought to see you right. Officially, they’re open until 3am, but they’re not all that strict about it and won’t take much arm twisting to stay open a bit later to serve you a lovely curry. (We really hope you realise we were speaking metaphorically and in no way condone the breaking of the manager of Sapna’s arm just ‘cos you fancy a korma at 3.30am).