The wicked green witch or the good green fairy? Depending on your point of view, absinthe can whisk you to heaven or catapult you to hell.

The potent brew has had a fearful reputation for centuries - first as a respectable tonic, then as the cause of decadence and debauchery among poets and artists.

Drinkers can now make up their own minds by trying out a mind-altering array of the emerald green liquid.

Absinthe is making a comeback at the Joogleberry Playhouse in Manchester Street, Brighton, for a special evening dedicated to Parisian decadence, with samples of the spirit ranging from 55 to 90 per cent proof.

It is one of the strongest alcoholic drinks ever made and also contains the added potential hallucinogen artemisia absinthium or wormwood.

In the ancient world, wormwood was a valuable medicinal herb and a respectable tonic in 18th Century Switzerland.

But by the end of the 19th Century, especially in France, absinthe was being blamed for causing corruption among the working classes.

In the 1890s Paris was characterised by the drink.

Absinthe was a symbol of inspiration, daring, creativity and decadence.

The green drink featured in no fewer than 130 paintings by Manet, Degas, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Lautrec so loved the green liquid that he carried a ready supply in his hollowed-out walking stick.

The popular beverage was a source of inspiration to Oscar Wilde who wrote: "A glass of absinthe is as poetical as anything in the world, What difference is there between a glass of absinthe and a sunset."

Ernest Hemingway also testified to its potency. He wrote in his journal: "Got tight last night on absinthe. Did knife tricks."

As a result of its fearful reputation, France followed other countries like the United States and Holland by banning absinthe in 1915.

However, it has never been illegal in the UK to make, sell or drink absinthe.

Now, after years in decline, drinking absinthe - also known as 'strangling the parrot' - has made a comeback.

Sue Popper, joint owner of the Joogleberry, said following the fall of communism, absinthe was discovered in the bars of the Czech Republic and was embraced by devotees like Damien Hirst.

Hollywood heart-throb Johnny Depp fell under its spell while hunting Jack the Ripper in the movie From Hell.

And Kylie Minogue sexed up its appeal when she made a cameo appearance as the green fairy in the hit film Moulin Rouge.

Sue said the atmosphere at the Moulin Rouge night on November 7 would have a Gallic flavour and people were encouraged to enter into the spirit and dress the part.

She said: "We are hoping to create an atmosphere of Parisian decadence on the evening and having a little tipple of absinthe will definitely help put people in the mood."

However, her business partner and brother, Geoff, was keen to stress that binge drinking was definitely not encouraged.

He said: "We want people to enjoy the buzz that absinthe can give.

"It is incredibly potent and the emphasis is on quality rather than quantity."

Beer drinkers will also be able to indulge their tastes during the evening.

The Joogleberry will be selling Deco - a Kronenbourg beer topped with a shot of absinthe.

Geoff said: "It's the perfect way to give the green fairy a test run."

The pair believe the Joogleberry has the most extensive choice of absinthe in the city with shots ranging from £4 for 55 per cent proof alcohol to £20 for 90 per cent proof.

Geoff said: "It may seem expensive but one blast is sufficient to send you flying so a little goes a long way."

Sue said: "We hope people will come and indulge their naughty side with a unique bit of decadence."

Tickets for the Moulin Rouge night cost £5 in advance. For more details about the event, call 01273 687171.