The 9 Chicest Hotel Bars in Israel

Hidden inside the Imperial Hotel, the Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar is the top of the top when it comes to craft cocktails. This temple to the lost art of cocktail goes back to the source, featuring veteran bartenders from the younger years of the White City. With an Asian-colonial inspired kitchen and a wide range of music from jazz to rock n’ roll, it’s no coincidence Imperial was crowned Drinks International magazine’s ‘Best Bar in Africa and the Middle East.’

Located in the chic Mamilla Hotel, the Mirror Bar is a perfect pick for a romantic date or cocktails with friends in a serene setting. Mirror bar attracts an assortment of people too, from tourists to businessmen, to native Israelis. Want an added bonus? Reflect on the cool cocktail list and get tasting, the food is sumptuous too.

The Bellboy Bar in the lobby of Tel Aviv's B Berdichevsky is a kind of bubble of another time and place, one that's completely different from the Tel Aviv atmosphere that surrounds it. A dimly lit corridor leads to a space stripped right from the 1920s, complete with hostesses in black dresses and strands of pearls, bow-tied barmen, and Swing music.

The Efendi Hotel was built on the base of two destroyed houses in the Old City of Akko, transforming into one of Israel's most beautiful hotels. The hotel's Wine Bar is located in an ancient cave, accessible via a steep staircase. Even the furniture matches the cave-like atmosphere, boasting wine racks constructed from ancient stone arches that house 2,000 bottles of exclusive Israeli wine. No wine is complete without a little "dine," which is why guests can order platters of boutique cheeses from the North, breads, and dips.

Classy and elegant cocktail bars in Tel Aviv don’t get more authentic than The Library Bar at The Norman Hotel. This stylish 1940s style bar has an extensive cocktail and spirits menu as well as one of the finest wine lists in Tel Aviv. Whether meeting business associates or simply sitting back and relaxing with one of the books in the library, you can enjoy a special all-day food menu from the restaurant kitchen from noon or a traditional English afternoon tea. At night, the bar transforms into a stylish lounge, perfect for a romantic date or a night out with friends.

The Oriental Bar is located close to the legendary Reading Room that has hosted world leaders, presidents, and prime ministers in a hotel symbolizing Jerusalem and serving as an integral part of Israel's history. A rich menu of Israeli wines awaits its guests, together with cocktails and alcoholic beverages, plus small tasting dishes, such as locally smoked salmon and bruschetta. The finest Israeli wineries—large and small—are represented on the wine list, which features four wines per month to expose the breadth of the Israeli wine industry to its clientele. Deep wine-colored armchairs and thick carpeting give the bar an atmosphere of regality, though despite the classy tone, the Oriental Bar accepts jeans of all kinds.

Classy and chic, this restaurant in the Montefiore Boutique Hotel is a must for lovers of meticulous food and impeccable style. The restaurant offers brunch and evening menus that are as much an oasis of style as the boutique hotel itself. The tasteful jazz paired with elegant antique silverware makes the Montefiore the place to fall in love with French cuisine cast under a Vietnamese spell any time of day.   

The Cramim Hotel—part of the Isrotel chain's Exclusive Collection—is located in the Jerusalem Hills. Every detail of it has a connection to vineyards, wineries, and Israeli wine itself, so the meticulous cocktail bar is a pleasant surprise...then again based on its name, things might not be as surprising as they seem: Imperial Red is the younger sibling of the multiple prize-winning Imperial Bar in Tel Aviv. Imperial Red's decor is inspired by the jazz bars of New Orleans, while the menu is composed of local regional wines, luscious kosher bar snacks, plus signature cocktails created especially for the hotel. The nostalgic scene is complimented by intimate lighting, music from the jazz age, and well-dressed wait staff, all of whom know how to recommend just the right cocktail to suit each guest's personal taste. In short: a synergy of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem suitable for New York or London.

In the framework of a face-lift that took place several months ago on the hotel's entrance floor, Turkish architect Sinan Kafadar designed a special space to serve as a contemporary, upscale bar – open until 5:00 a.m. as a last refuge for hotel guests and revelers in general after a wild night on the town. The beverage menu stars cocktails alongside a wine tasting by the half-glass. Don't miss the delectable pastries either; they are designed to match perfectly with your cocktails for the ideal Instagram photo shoot. As if that's not enough, there's a late afternoon happy hour, featuring especially attractive cocktail prices as the sun goes down. The elegant atmosphere and the open terrace overlooking the Mediterranean complete an urban leisure experience like that found in the world's most vibrant cities.