Lying on the corner of Mendalimos and HaYarkon streets, close enough to smell the salt of the sea though without enjoying the view, Mendalimos is the kind of neighborhood bar you wish you had waiting for you wherever you travel. It is one of those local spots featured in beer commercials, where the people are all attractive, the music is always just right, and alcohol flows freely. And while the Mendalimos falls a bit short of cinematic perfection, it assuredly beats out most candidates for the ‘best neighborhood bar’ category.

Opened a little over two year ago amid a strong, albeit organic buzz-making campaign, the bar has retained its popularity through adopting the sexier, more inviting facets of a pick-up bar while filtering out the unwanted elements of the modus operandi. The result is a laid-back, fun atmosphere that is as much inviting as it is unassuming. Whether you’d rather dance on the bar-top in the main hall, find your match for the night in one of the side-rooms, or enjoy the breeze in the outdoor deck, the Mendalimos remains a go-to option seven nights a week. Expect a median age of twenty-seven, relatively informal in dress and attitude.