Go out Clubbing in Tel Aviv….
By: Roye Salomon
Generally speaking the nightlife scene can be divided into a few categories:
- Mega clubs- These are the big, crowded clubs with room for 500+ people. You can expect long cues on weekends, annoying selection at the door and good solid parties with famous DJs.
- Boutique clubs and Dance bars – Catering to the numerous tastes of Israeli and foreign clubbers, many smaller clubs and dance bars have sprung up in Tel Aviv. These places can be wild and intimate on a good night and more barish on weekdays. These are more personal places with a more regular crowd. There is a wide variety of music, from hardcore psychedelic trance to salsa and 80’s.
- Live music venues- Tel Aviv has some active and attractive live music venues which moonlight as clubs depending on the performer.
Big Bangs
Up until two years ago Tel Aviv partied in open air clubs during the summer, usually overlooking the beach. This was stopped because of complaints of noise pollution from all over the city. Those were the days....Today Tel Aviv’s leading clubs are enclosed and have moved to the south of the city.
The exception that proves the rule is the TLV, probably Tel Aviv’s leading club. The TLV is the last of the big clubs that were clustered in the old Tel Aviv port area from the open air days. This club has been working for quite a few years and has become a central force in Tel Aviv nightlife. The location is a good one with the old harbor restaurants and bars as background. Parking can be a hassle on the weekends so better to park further and walk. The TLV has good solid parties on Thursdays with guest DJs playing house and progressive house. Fridays attract a younger crowd with even more energy.
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New - The Oman 17 "Ha Oman" http://www.haoman.com/ "the artist" in Hebrew, is a veteran and probably the leading Israeli night life institution, with branches in Jeruslaem (the original), and Haifa, has opened up in Tel Aviv in a big bang opening party March 10, 2005. With some of the best DJs in town, a dedicated crowd of clubbers, 3 separate music areas, 5 bars, an amazing lighting system with light racks that resemble in shape "the alien", coming up & down from the high ceiling, it is certainly positioned for leadership in the Tel Aviv clubbing scene. The opening night was more than good, and it was great to be there!
The Dome is located on the southern side of the city near a few other places. This is a big club with a solid clientele, good bars and beautiful people. Cue and parking can be a hassle on the weekend so better to take a cab. House music is predominant but on some nights they have different styles.
Nearby are the SO and the VOX both new on the scene but rumored to be good.
The Zamir is set within an old movie theatre and is no doubt one of the coolest and raucous places in town. Good line going Friday nights.
The Jerusalem Mega club Haoman 17 is supposedly opening a club in Tel Aviv. This is good news as the Jerusalem club is probably the best in Israel, and one of the wilder in Europe. I hope the Tel Aviv franchise can impress as much as his holy city big brother.
For really big bangs, listen around for talk of “Mesibat Teva” or nature party. As of April and up till November Israel hosts hundred of nature parties. Some of these are well established outdoor (usually beachfront) parties such as those in Nitzanim beach. Others are true wilderness underground trance parties. Listen around…
Dance bars
Dance bars started off as an outlet for midweek energies when the big clubs aren’t working. Thus one could find a small party on Tuesday and still be able to get up for work in the morning. Today they also offer an alternative for those who would like to mix drinking, dancing and socializing rather than a big club vibe. These places have diverse music and different themes on different nights, so check what you’re going in to. Expect to pay between 40-80 NIS cover, though if you arrive early or late you may negotiate a discount. These places are a good bet for Wednesday or Thursday and a good place to meet people too. These are often the venues for after parties on Saturdays
One of the veterans on the dance bar scene is the AYS pronounced ICE. Hidden on a corner of Lilenblum st. (See bars) this smallish place has a history of serious parties. Good pickup scene as well.
Another place that has been around for a while is the Lila located in the north of the city. The Lila is the kind of place you can come to and enjoy either an evening of Salsa or Eighties music or hardcore house, you never know. Great place to mingle or head off to when all else has already closed.
Other options are the Chich Beach (Gordon Beach) which is a trendy summer beachfront haunt. The Gat Rimon is a hip place to hear current beats and lounge music. If you have a more fetishist palate you can check out the Dungeon in old Jaffa, which mixes drinking and dancing with a darker ambiance. The Lemon on Elifelt st. is another good bet for dancing, been around for a while now that I think about it. If you want to go down deep on a Friday night ask if the Fetish is still working.
These dance bars are becoming a force in Tel Aviv nightlife, and many are being opened weekly. So chances are that no matter where you are in Tel Aviv there is one near you.
Jacky Says...
Israeli bartenders are very liberal with their pouring. You may find yourself getting a full glass of Gin with your Gin and Tonic or a triple shot of whisky when you order just one. Enjoy…
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Live Music
Tel Aviv has a good live music scene, with several venues offering different styles of music. I will list some of the better venues and you can inquire in any local paper as to the week’s attractions.
The Barbie, in the south of Tel Aviv has live rock and Israeli music most weeks but also great jazz and dub music performances.
Jah Pan in Florintine (south Tel Aviv) is a great and intimate venue to see live music. Many Jazz, Reggae and Acoustical nights but also electronic and African music. Good place, good music.
The Fusion in North Tel Aviv is a more proper music club and restaurant. Expensive tickets but supposedly quite nice.
The Fifth Dimension in the old Tel Aviv port is a big hangar type venue, with powerful, crowded and sweaty energies. This is where the Prodigy played when in Israel.
Habima Heiniken Bar, set underneath Israel’s premier drama theatre, attracts an arty and musical crowd for intimate performances and Jam sessions.
Part I

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