‘Break Bar’ – Jerusalem’s Newest Entertainment Bar

Hadas Gottlieb and Ruthie Appel, are probably the bravest entrepreneurs I have ever met.  At the height of the war in Israel where we are all riveted to our radios and televisions waiting for the next terrible news, these amazing young women took the plunge and opened Jerusalem’s first female-owned and-run bar. “The bar motif is decorated like the set of “Friends”” Hadas explained. “One of the cocktails is even named “Smelly Cat” “reminiscing Phoebe’s famous though ridiculous song and we even named our bathroom after Monica though men are allowed in as well of course”.

When you walk into the bar located at 9 Heleni Ha Malka in downtown Jerusalem you really do get the feeling that you are at “Café Perk” of Friends.  There is a small stage hosting a comfy sofa, chairs and tables all around and an upstairs balcony with more places to sit overlooking the activities below.  Board Games are a plenty and the entire atmosphere is so welcoming- as are the female owners- that you find yourself wanting to spend hours there hanging with your friends as Monica, Joey, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe and Rachel did on the show.

“Break Bar” owners Hadas Gottlieb and Ruthie Appel
Photo by Avishag Zohar

The background music will remind you of a Speakeasy from back in the day, warm and welcoming and of course so very different from the other bars in the city.  The “Break Bar” offers the best of whiskeys rarely found in any bar such as the Israeli brand “Milk and Honey”. Not much of a drinker myself you will have to pop in to read the labels of the other brands and brews to appreciate what I am talking about. Whereas the prices are not the least expensive in the city, the cocktails are well worth the price with their high-quality brands and interesting ingredients. The bar also offers pizza, nachos and edamame so you will not go hungry during your hangout.

As for the weekly activities, Tuesday nights in addition to their “Bottomless Beer and Wine night” where from 7pm-11pm for a single price you can order as much beer or wine as you would like, a new Open Mic night will be featured where singers and musicians will be invited to perform from 9pm on, something that Jerusalemites have very few options for in the city with so many bars closing.  If you are looking for wonderful musical events on Thursday evenings with free entrance the “Break Bar” is the place for you! Mostly acoustic evenings will showcase the best of Jerusalem’s talent and more. The weekly musical events will begin the first week of March and feature The Double D Strings Band, A harmonious acoustic duo covering a variety of American favorite artists including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, The Eagles and more! All of the shows will begin promptly at 9:30 so come early to get your drinks and a good seat!

“Break Bar” Logo

Daily Happy Hour begins at 7pm and ends at 9pm and offers the second beer for free and the second cocktail 50% off. In addition once a month “Break Bar” hosts a “Pub Quiz”, and Sundays are available for private events. Follow “Break Bar” on Instagram and check out their fb page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563970524321 for event updates.  And should you be interested in joining the Open Mic or the Thursday night performances please call or WhatsApp  0548108918.