More Drinking Holes in Tel Aviv
By: Roye Salomon
Eckman [Raines 2 St. Ph:03-5237719]
Centrally placed on Dizengoff square, right across from the fashionable Everybody fitness center, this bar is one of Tel Aviv’s finest. A large crescent bar dominates the room surrounded by comfy sofas and a second floor with additional seating. The music is variable and usually played by a different DJ every evening. Drinks are reasonably priced, and there is a good vibe to the place. Friendly staff as well. WTG: Good place for a drink and a look around, try the sofas. Pits: the bar is not wood.
Silon [King George 89 St. Ph:03-6200053]
Not far from the Eckman, on King George st. is the Silon (Jet). This is a classic neighborhood bar will regular clientele, and a nice relaxed atmosphere. The crowd is more mature and a bit artsy-bohemian. WTG: Great place to relax after a days work (or tourism).
M.a.s.h [Dizengoff 275 St. Ph:03-6051007]
The long time tourist capital bar of Tel Aviv is also a regular night out for many native Israelis. The place is managed for years by a cool British guy; it is a classic sports bar with big screens playing live sporting events. On big games don't expect to be seated… the place draws an older and more loyal audience in general. There is a billiard table on the second floor. The waitresses are mostly non-Israelis, usually tourists that found themselves staying much longer than planned. The place is located in the far north of Dizengoff st., on the crossroad with Ben Yehuda.
Gordon inn bar [Gordon 17 St. Ph:03-5238239]
Gordon inn is a nice and tidy hostel in the corner of Ben Yehuda/Gordon and has a classic bar with good energies, many tourists in the season and a quite loyal Israeli clientele. This is a good option for a casual night and meeting people.
Currently the central area for alcohol consumption in Tel Aviv is the Lilenblum Street sprawl. This area in southern Tel Aviv encompasses the region between Lilenblum st, the southern end of Rothschild Boulevard, Neve Tzedek and Nahalt Binyamin st. These are all within walking distance from one another (even during intense intoxication) and the best region for bar hopping in Tel Aviv. |
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| One central area for alcohol consumption in Tel Aviv is around Lilenblum, Rothschild Boulevard, Neve Tzedek and Nahalt Binyamin. |
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Lilenblum st. used to be the main location for illicit foreign currency exchange when it was illegal to purchase dollars. Today it is the central banking area during the day and central drinking area at night. The following describes the best bars Lilenblum street has to offer.
Nanutchka [Lilinblum 28 St. Ph:03-5162254]
My personal Tel Aviv favorite. Founded by Nana ??? one of Tel Aviv’s finest bar-restaurant entrepreneurs, this bar is also a Gruze restaurant (Georgian-see Feeding Frenzy). The décor is pure Gruze style which means a lot of gold a lot of mirrors and something of a funky Eastern European world feel. The bar is not large, but with the surrounding tables makes you feel like part of a small and elect group. The food is outstanding. Try the Gruze salads with your booze! Nana is a patron of underground art and those artists who can afford it hang around here. The bar is well stocked with many types of drinks including some unknown but very good ones. Try the shartrez, a strange looking shot of alcohol made with spices or the gruze specialties. Not cheap, but worth every penny. WTG: Have you ever been to a Gruze Bar? Pits: Very, very popular…come early.
Abraxxas [Lilinblum 40 St. Ph:03-5104435]
I recently discovered this place, which has an unassuming exterior. The bar is shaped irregularly which allows for many corners (better for conversation), surrounded by low tables with comfy sofas. The crowd is diverse and interesting and there is a pool table on the second floor. Prices are standard, which means overpriced. I haven’t tried the food. WTG: For the pool table and easy going conversation. Pits: Service is so-so…
Lilenblum 22 [Lilinblum 22 St. Ph:03-5172530]
A Tel Aviv classic. Dark, smoky, a bit sleazy. Everything a bar should be. Music is loud and usually electronic. Good pick up scene on the bar, less so on the surrounding tables. Drinks are a bit cheaper here, and people drink more. Good for a solitary evening on the bar or for looking around. WTG: Dark and Devilish
Shesek and Mishmish [Lilinblum 17 St. Ph:03-5168178]
Just across form the Lilenblum 22 are two bars set side by side, owned by the same people and both named after fruits. Despite the similarities the bars are quite different. The left hand one (never could tell which is which) is younger and more of a lounge bar. The right hand one, is very cool, with two bars and something of a 19th century luxury train look. The crowd is thirtyish, elegant and generally well to do. Drinks are expensive, but the bar is well stocked. WTG: Good styling, cool people. Pits: The right one is usually much better.
Lansky [Montifiori 6 St. Ph:03-5170043]
Named after Jewish underworld boss Meir Lansky, this is supposed to be the largest bar in the Middle East. The Lansky is located under the Shalom tower on Montifiori st. The bar is immense and is the central facet of the place. Six handsome barmen serve this 200 seat bar. The Lansky has a high ceiling and a dark clean look. Each part of the bar has different people and a micro atmosphere, thus if you don’t like the buzz on the door side walk over to the far side and see what is going on. Good food too. WTG: Huge and impressive, good place for a late night drink. Pits: Uncomfortable for groups of more than four who want to sit together.
Golden Bar [Rothchild 9 St. Ph:03-5169191]
Set at the end of Rotchild Boulevard, this bar is a summertime favorite. With a balcony overlooking Tel Aviv’s first kiosk, and reasonably priced drinks, this has been a popular choice during the hot summer nights. Large bar and another outside on the balcony. During weekend there is loud music, usually rock and golden oldies. Good place to check out Tel Aviv’s summer time energies. WTG: The balcony overlooking the boulevard gives it a European feel. Pits: Often packed to the brim…
Blaumich [Rothchild 32 St. Ph:03-5608852]
Also set on the Rotchild Boulevard near the corner with Alenby st. is the Blaumich. This bar has an indoor bar and sofa seating area as well as an outside one overlooking the boulevard. The clientele is young and good looking, the staff helpful and attentive and there are different DJs during the week and weekend. Personally I like the outside bar, but inside people often dance. Good pickup scene. WTG: For the good looking men or women. Pits: people tend to dress in black in this place?!?
Betty Ford [Nachlat Binyamin 48 St. Ph:03-5100650]
This Betty Ford keeps the other one busy. A cool long bar with satellite tables and some outdoor sitting. This is a cross between a neighborhood bar and an In place. The food is very good and the bartenders friendly and professional. The place is a familiar haunt of architects and artists. Furthermore there is a table soccer set free of charge in the basement. Different DJs every night bring different feels to the place. Try to get a place on the corner of the bar. WTG: Good drinking company. Pits: None.
Jacky Says...
There are lots of places in this area so you can just get one drink at every bar till you find your favorite or are too drunk to continue…
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Others
Here are a few others around the city…
Hamra
This bar was established by the renown chef Eyal Shani and is set within the restaurant on HaYarkon st. The name is a pun as Hamra are simple local drinking holes in North African nations. This is one of the fanciest and most posh bars in Tel Aviv. The food is expensive but each course is a masterpiece. This is a good place to meet important business associates or really, really impress a date. The décor is plush and serious, the service friendly and professional. The view is exquisite. WTG: To feel like you’re worth a million dollars (even when you aren't). Pits: Not exactly cheap…
Bugsy
Set in the special southern neighborhood of Florentine, this is a classic neighborhood bar. Cheap drinks, friendly people and cool music. Try to figure out where the DJ is… Near many live music venues. WTG: Quiet drink or good conversation. Dog friendly.
Jabo
This underground establishment is named after Zeev Jabotinsky, one of the Zionist movement’s prominent leaders. Set on Derech Eilat corner of Elifelt st. There is no sign but the portrait of Jabotinsky. You must press the buzzer and the door will be opened from the inside. Live music on many weekends, exotic beers and an interesting crowd. WTG: Underground feel and inexpensive booze. Pits: Getting more popular by the minute…
Shoshana Johnson
Located on Alnebi street and with a strange walkin path that also leads to a used spanish book store, this place is a hot spot in Tel Aviv these days. The place has two different scenes: outdoor seating is serving as a bar-restaurant and attracts an older, hip crowd. Indoor there is an active bar scene, attracting mainly younger crowd. In winter time, the outdoor tables are heated , a common practice in many diners and cafes in Tel Aviv.
Yoezer Bar Yaain
In Jaffa (see Feeding Frenzy). Exclusive, worldly, beautiful grotto. Amazing food.
WTG: For a champagne breakfast or the perfect single malt Whiskey. Don’t miss the food. Pits: Expensive.
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