Clubbing and live music in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has acquired fame as a major player in the clubbing world during the last decade. Many international DJs now perform in Tel Aviv regularly to the elation of the local crowd. In the past, the serious minded Zionist ethic frowned upon the “mindless” music imported from abroad. This prompted Israel’s late Prime Minister Golda Meir to refuse a request by the Beatles to perform in Israel on the grounds that their type of music may corrupt the minds of Israel's youth. I guess that she would have preferred us to stick to the old accordion. But, much water has passed in the Yarkon since and today Tel Aviv’s nightlife is well known through out Europe. The British Guardian recently wrote: “Tel Aviv's nightlife has gone from strength to strength. Larger and better bars and clubs that would put London, New York and Paris to shame, open and close regularly to satisfy fickle tastes.”

Like many of the electronic clubbing generation, I scrounged the world of party life, Goa to Amsterdam, Rio to Barcelona and back. But there is no place like home. Israeli artists are prominent in the world of electronic music scene and DJs such as Infected Mushroom, Astral Projection and Psysex are in demand both at home and away.

The clubbing scene in Tel Aviv is a vibrant and bustling business. Clubs open and close weekly during the summer months, and most billboards in Tel Aviv are pasted full of announcements of upcoming parties. As the variety and fluctuation of clubs is great indeed, I will try to give an overview of the scene with guidelines how to hitch up with the best parties in town. Better to know how to fish than be served an old fish...

Cues are long and none to orderly on weekends. Groups of all male members may be delayed at the door (to allow for a balanced crowd). Doors to the clubs usually open at 23:00 (often cheaper before 24:00) but the parties really hit off at around 1 to 2 AM. Dress codes are fashionable and bizarre rather than formal, but are generally relaxed. Big parties often have reduced price tickets on sale beforehand (Shenkin st is the place to look). Full price for a big party could be up to 150 NIS, but usually discounts can be found by collecting invitations from record stores or club clothes stores (also found on Shenkin st.). Dance bars start going at 23:00 and go till the last person stops dancing. Cover charge for smaller clubs and dance bars is around 50-60 NIS. Live music prices depend on the venue and artist. Weapons of any kind or anything that could be used as a weapon are not tolerated in clubs and security checks are mandatory, so think about what to leave at the hotel.