Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar

Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar — hidden within the elegant Imperial Hotel at 66 HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv‑Yafo — is celebrated as one of the best cocktail bars in the Middle East and Africa, having earned top rankings from Drinks International and World’s 50 Best Bars. Opened around 2014, it was created by Tel Aviv's veteran bartenders as a “temple to the lost art of the cocktail”. The decor is colonial‑style with intimate seating, exotic wallpaper, wood & wicker accents, and ambient lighting — lending a cozy, almost tiki‑vibe atmosphere with elephant motifs and vintage flair. The cocktail menu is divided by flavour categories like Spicy, Fruity, Fresh, and Spirituous, offering both classics and inventive creations. Signature drinks such as “Faux Bijou” (gin, sweet vermouth, Chartreuse & Campari) and “Thyme to Kill” (gin, ouzo, St‑Germain, mandarin jam, lime & thyme) receive high praise for balance and originality. Expert bartenders also excel in seasonal experiments, regional ingredients, and local handcrafted syrups and bitters. The kitchen serves refined Asian‑fusion bites, from Kim Jong Shrimps to Ginza Pork Belly and Thai King Rama Fisherman Salad, pairing beautifully with cocktails. Music shifts from swing jazz during early evening to surf, rock ’n’ roll late at night, especially when local bartenders arrive for post‑work drinks. The bar seats about 20–25 guests; reservations are strongly recommended as it fills up quickly. A daily happy hour from 18:00–20:00 offers cocktails at roughly ₪35 (~US$10–15) . Regular pricing averages about $15 per cocktail.