4 Best Bars in Israel

Helmed by the geniuses behind Machneyuda restaurant and housed in an old factory, this is a temple to the craft of cocktails on the outskirts of Jerusalem's First Station shopping and dining complex. The drinks—mixed with outstanding homemade syrups and juices—change frequently, but if it's on the menu try a celery daiquiri. Tapas-style dishes emphasize expertly prepared seafood and include a sea-bass bruschetta, seafood curry, and smoked octopus.

Head to the hidden back entrance of a somewhat lackluster hotel lobby and discover this colonial-British-themed playground run by five of Tel Aviv's top mixologists. Nightly specials enhance the standard menu of 150 precisely concocted cocktails. Drop in for happy hour every night from 6 to 8 pm, when the "special price" cocktails are particularly appealing, or reserve for late night, when you may be sitting next to the city's top chefs.

This Manhattan-style lounge bar offers a rare combination of classy food, cocktails, and dancing in the same space. Seats in the lounge circle the DJ booth, where top local and international DJs, and occasional live-music performers, hold forth. A full dinner menu is available from the upstairs fine-dining restaurant, along with craft cocktails like Say Hello 2 Heaven, a fresh, citrusy concoction of champagne, gin, black mint, lemon juice, and fresh basil.

An unmarked door opens to a library with bookshelves that slide apart to reveal a bar inspired by the Roaring '20s. Eager young bartenders mix classic cocktails and drinks of their own creation, accented by crushed star anise, arak liquor, absinthe, or honey syrup.