Sergey, Heleni haMalka St. (tel. 25 85 11), at the corner of Mounbaz St., next to Glasnost. Intellectual twentysomething and over crowd; beyond chic-they don’t even wear black. Italian food. Open 8pm-3am.

Mike’s Place, 14 Harkness St. (tel. 10 49 30). A small pocket of nuttiness in an otherwise insane place. Israeli and ex-pat crowd digs the nightly acoustic live music and goads the antics of Mike and staff. Cheap brandy. Occasional sidewalk barbecue Saturdays at 3pm. Open 8pm-dawn.

Or try Pine, Alexander, Opus, Gizmo, Monbaz 9, Arthur, Shunra, and any other bar around the Russian Compound that appeals to your discerning taste.