Close your eyes, concentrate… and there it is, the crackle of an old LP as the needle comes to the end of its journey inward. The atmospheric Talbia Wine Bar whisks us back to “the good old days of Jerusalem bohemia” thanks to the efforts of OPA Design and Architecture, back to a time of cut glass decanters and rich wood veneers, back to the early days of this theatre built in 1958.

The wine bar is on the ground floor of the building, and the stairway leading upwards trebles as storage and as terraced seating when there is live music playing. The tiled floor and stone walls give off a cool air, inviting guests in from the street with a cellar-store window display, showing off the Talbia’s wares including the days’ freshly baked goods. The front area leads through to a more intimate lounge area at the back, complete with exotic banana leaves covering the wall and a great sci-fi lamp that might read minds and dry wet hair at the same time. It’s perhaps in the evening when the venue really shines though, when the piano starts up and the more classic lighting casts a golden glow on proceedings.