Sometimes, a beer is all you want. No blaring techno, no crush of bodies, no scanning hopelessly for a table, no trying to hit on anything that moves and getting cheap vodka spilled on you. And while Jerusalem has its fair share of the latter, with bars catering to partygoers looking for a night of debauchery, there are also places to go for those just seeking a place to sit and enjoy their drinks, and possibly even an actual conversation.

Mona, home to the city's small Friday night party crowd is one such establishment. Doubling as a restaurant, the Shmuel Hannagid shop with a cozy hearth is built into the former headquarters of the Bezalel Academy of Art, giving it a few extra hipster-points.

Not far away is Mia, named for the Pulp Fiction heroine (get it?). The well stocked bar is renowned for its collection of classy liquors that go beyond Hanky Bannister and 777 Brandy, and it's taps -o-plenty include the uber-snooty Framboise. They even host wine tastings.

Just up the street is the tiny Sideways (nee Sugar Hill), which has an overall dive bar vibe, but without a lot of the sketchiness. While only a few dozen people will easily fill the place, most nights a booth is within easy reach, as is a selection of decent standard drinks at dive bar prices.

Slow Moshe's Nachlaot location makes it a favorite of the hippy hipster crowd. The conversation here, like the drinks, is always flowing.

At the Lev Smadar theater, Jerusalem's home for art house cinema, the bar is the other main attraction. With a good selection of wine, beer and liquor, it's the perfect place to commiserate over why every filmmaker is a sell out.

Last but not least is Barood, housed in the Feingold courtyard. The bar/restaurant serves up good cocktail and even better food, and they remain committed to playing "music that doesn't hurt the ear."