Tel Aviv is known for its nightlife and there are always new venues popping up all the time. Below is a list of ten exciting and fun bars worth checking out next time you head to Israel. Centrally placed on Dizengoff Square, across from the fashionable, there are a ton of hip and urban bars and bistros as well as loungy places with comfortable sofas.
Nanutchka [Lilinblum 28 St. Ph:03-5162254]
I loved this place. Old world meets Georgia meets Bohemian. This bar is also a Gruze restaurant (Georgian) and the the décor is pure Gruze style which means a lot of funky gold and mirrors and oh so Eastern European.
The owner Nana is a patron of underground artists so writers and artists also spend time here. Check out the shartrez, an alcohol made with spices or the gruze specialties.
Betty Ford [Nachlat Binyamin 48 St. Ph:03-5100650]
Betty Ford has a cool long bar with satellite tables and outdoor sitting, a cross between a neighborhood bar and a hip and hopping place, as well as a familiar haunt for architects and artists.
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.
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. 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 Street on the crossroad with Ben Yehuda.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Street. 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.
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.
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.
Inspired by original list which was posted at TelAviv Insider – tel-aviv-insider.com. Photo credits: Gordon photo: www.gogobot. com. Nanutchka from TripAdvisor.com. Betty Ford: www. drunkintelaviv.co.il.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
