Tel Aviv is Israel’s “White City,” although it’s less clear sometimes whether the nickname denotes the sheer volume of rare Bauhaus architecture, which utilizes the clean color as one of the style’s signatures, orwhether it refers to the many“White Nights” that happen here.
White Night (Laila Lavan) is the Hebrew phrase for pulling an all-nighter, and Tel Avivians are experts at doing just that. They hit the clubs late, and keep going until the early hours of the morning.
Check out ISRAEL21c’s list of the city’s top clubs. They include hubs of the trendy underground music scene, hot dance spots, hipster hangouts with vegan menus and controversial art, bars with karaoke, drag, and/or jazz shows.
Decide on a destination, or hop from one to the next, and enjoy your night outexploring the most progressive music and dance scene in the Middle East!
13 HaRekhev St.
Coming out of the underground shadows to take over the famous Brazilian club here, The Zone has all the amenities that allow you to come and enjoy yourself, whether you want to sit and snack on bar food, dance, or listen to musical performances from the best local and foreign artists.
Shows range from concerts to jam sessions and dance performances, while theme nights can mean a reggae or Brazilian-themed dance party (as well as others) in the large yet intimate space. Grab a seat on the couch (live musical shows have an entrance fee) or enjoy the Tel Aviv night from the large balcony or dance floor.
Situated on “mechanic row” to the south, with a façade to match, The Zone has a whisky selection and performances tempting enough to coax hardcore Tel Avivians out a bit farther from the city center.
Entrance fee: For musical performances
2. Kuli Alma
10 Mikve Israel St.
A nightclub that is as interesting to frequent as the modern street artwork and vintage video installations prominently displayed on its walls, Kuli Alma reflects the blossoming art and music culture that surrounds it in reawakened South Tel Aviv.
A labyrinth with different enclaves, and an open-air courtyard — -each with its own music, vibe, and rotating art exhibitions –this is one of Tel Aviv’s most favorite dance bars.
With interesting upscale drinks and gourmet vegetarian food, you’ll actually want to eat as you get a first look and listen to up-and-coming “out of the box content” brought to you by the club’s owners — a collective of Tel Aviv artists, DJs and party personas who propel the local scene.
A line out the door means getting their early will save you the hassle of having to wait before enjoying your night.
Entrance fee: None
42 Lillenblum Street
A gay-friendly dance bar and loungejust a step away from historical Rothschild boulevard, Lima Lima was established by veteran bigwigs of the city’s nightlife circuit and carries a Miami-like vibe evident in the club’s waterfall feature, indoor-outdoor spaces, ample vegetation fare and retro neon flamingo and palm tree lights hanging against the back of the bar.
A fine place to take a seat with friends or get down on the dance floor, Lima Lima is most known for happy hours and theme nights, which include Latin parties, gay nights on Mondays, electronica and new disco on Wednesdays, and old school hip-hop nights.
4. Levontin 7,
7 Levontin St.
A friendly neighborhood hangout for creative types, Levontin 7 is not just a club, but also a performance space that hosts unique events, lectures, cultural activities and performances from local emerging artists and DJs; and a cooperative record label; and vegan pizza joint serving Green Cat Pizza.
Some of the most admirable aspects of the club are its intimate stage, where nightly performances are put on for 100 or fewer guests, and the separate large dance floor where a wide range of sounds and music styles can be heard, from indie to gothic to Russian, to ’80s and ’90s jams.
Entrance fee: Tickets to shows can be purchased online.
5. Ozen Bar
48 King George St. at the corner of Ben-Zion Blvd.
A record and musical instruments store, café, bar and an intimate hall for music shows, all born out of a local record label, Ozen Bar is yet another small Tel Aviv music venue that can’t be beat as far as local flavor goes.
Featuring music live shows from up-and-coming and well-known artists (as well as standup comedy shows, poetry jams and lectures) in a makeshift space in the heart of the city, a cozy upstairs theater space and porch, and a great sound system, it’s the music and the immersion in the local music scene that people flock here for.
Entrance fee: Yes
6. Desire Bar
25 Carlebach St.
Sometimes you just want to get loose and sing some karaoke, or dare we say take in a drag show or perhaps a quiz night? Desire Bar is the perfect place for any those activities but is also a destination for the crowd who wants to dance their heart out — no hipster tank tops or man buns required.
Popular with the Russian-speaking crowd, the club is one of the few known to respect the city’s ban on indoor smoking and is a modern cozy venue. The music, mainly but not exclusively in Russian, includes live shows and DJ sets that show a different side of Israel, all within an atmosphere of pure fun.
Entrance fee: Weekend entrance is ₪50
7. Beit HaAmudim
14 Rambam St.
A great little jazz and blues club nestled in a Bauhaus building within the Nachalat Binyamin promenade area, Beit Haamudim wins over locals with charming nightly live performances in an intimate space.
A more mature getaway for those looking to mingle among good music until 2 in the morning, it is a place that respects its musicians, giving all proceeds from the small entrance fee and vegan menu dishes to the artists themselves. Settle in, drink an Israeli craft beer, and have a calmer club experience not far from Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market.
Entrance fee: Yes
8. Radio EPGB
7 Shadal St.
Set at basement level, Radio EPGB in the Rothschild-Allenby district is the underground go-to for partiers looking to dance long into the early morning hours, even on weekdays.
Music choice here varies from non-mainstream Israeli hip-hop to deep house music, with live musical performances throughout the week. Called by some a “mini-club” for its small size, it is a place where those in their mid- to late 20s go to hang out and meet new people.
Entrance fee:None
9. The Block
157 Salome St.
Although admittedly in a less than ideal location by Tel Aviv’s old central bus station, The Block is said to be the best place to lose yourself in an electronica techno or deep house musical trance. Tip: Take a taxi to and from this club to avoid walking in the area at night.
With famous DJs from Israel and around the world coming to the club to spin, an incredible sound system, three dance floors, and a separate smoker’s lounge (which means smokers don’t light up on the dance floor), it’s this maze of a club connected by dimly lit corridors that attracts Tel Avivians who long to dance away their big-city stress.
Entrance fee: Yes
126 Yigal Alon St.
A different kind of club all together, a night out at Havana Club near the Azrieli Towers is quite the experience! Specializing in salsa, bachata and kizomba, instructors first teach you the ropes and new moves in separate dance studios according to your level, before letting you loose on the massive dance floor to show off your skills into the early morning hours.
Filled with regulars who frequent the club on a weekly basis, the club has the atmosphere of Cuba, and is known to break out into a samba line from time to time, with lively Saturday night parties. No water bottles are allowed in the club, so hydrate before you arrive.
Entrance fee: Yes
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