The ultimate guide to Tel Aviv nightlife: bars, clubs & eats

Israel’s 24-hour party capital may have a village-like feel (going clubbing via bicycle is a rite of passage), but the thriving Tel Aviv nightlife scene features a fusion of parties crammed full of character, chutzpah and never-ending 'carpe diem'. Buckle up, because soon you’ll discover that the party never stops – it’s wild, it’s sexy and it’s damn addictive.

The Israeli culture capital is renowned for many things, but it takes less than a week in the White City to recognize its two main local pastimes: the beaches in Tel Aviv and booze. As the sun starts to set, Tel Avivians migrate from the shores of the Mediterranean to the streets of Dizengoff, Rothschild and Allenby for happy hour cocktails before a big night out in the Tel Aviv nightlife scene.

It’s not a myth. Tel Aviv’s known as ‘the city that never sleeps’ for a reason. From a booming Tel Aviv nightlife bar scene to a collection of one-of-a-kind cocktail bars, you’d be silly to call it an early night in the White City. 

Drinking is fun. But drinking on a rooftop is exponentially more kickass. It feels like summer even when it's not and having a view to gaze out at, whether overlooking Rothschild boulevard or nestled in Neve Tzedek, makes it so much better. 

Calling all Israeli dancers, poets, writers, musicians and performance artists! The hipster scene is growing faster than Florentin can handle, and space at its hole-in-the-wall dives is limited. This has caused an overflow of beard-sporting, plaid-wearing, non-caring cool kids to bleed over into the Tel Aviv nightlife scene in search of a new spot to chill. Never fear, Time Out is here – with a lineup of cool bars to choose from. 

You can wander along Dizengoff Street, the Tel Aviv Port, or Rothschild Boulevard and come across endless alternatives to Tinder-ing, but when time is of the essence, zone in on one of these tried-and-true pickup spots - all of which are guaranteed to be hot zones for flirty shenanigans and midnight barstool make out sessions. Here’s a look at the best pickup bars and clubs that are part of the Tel Aviv nightlife scene.

Lightweights beware. This central Tel Aviv strip may look pretty during the daytime hours, with plenty of shopping spree temptations like antique markets, malls and designer jewelry and clothing boutiques, but come sundown, Dizengoff Street transforms into a bustling bar scene. 

Tel Avivians wait anxiously all winter long for those suffocating plastic patio covers to come down and the fresh White City air to flow in. With the sun shining bright and the rain out of the picture, there is nothing more satisfying than soaking up some rays while drinking the day away on a patio. 

Searching for romance in the White City can feel as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie. However, when you find that special someone – whether through an impulsive (possibly accidental) right swipe or running shirtless along the beaches of Tel Aviv – it’s important to make a lasting first impression. 

It started with happy hour at 18:00….then a predrink at 21:00...followed by some tasteful cocktail bar in Tel Aviv around 23:00...then alternating live music and clubbing by midnight. It’s 3:00 a.m. and your adrenaline is still pumping. 

After all, we are the city that never sleeps...might as well hold true to our name with a city of nonstop eats. Whether it’s the afternoon and you’re craving a coffee and pastry, 3 a.m. and you’re feeling the dreadful drunchies, or 10:30 in the morning and you dreamt all night of Benedict's blueberry pancakes drenched in ‘faple’ syrup, the Tel Aviv restaurant scene has something for you. Hit up any one of these nine 24/7 hot spots any time of day (or night) for consistent service, quality eats, and happy living. Bon Appetit!

By day, Allenby Street is a chaotic bundle of bargain shops with a few designer boutiques squeezed in between. By night, the long, long road that used to be abandoned, is growing steadily into the place for never-ending Tel Aviv nightlife fun. From live music to karaoke, the best restaurants in Tel Aviv to the latest street food markets and drunk munch, happy hour to all-you-can-drink, Allenby has got it all...and more! 

The tests are complete, the results have returned and unfortunately, your condition is quite serious. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news – especially after such an exhausting night of drinking down Dizengoff, barhopping along Allenby, and getting thrown out of that club on Rothschild – but, it seems you are suffering from a bad case of the ‘drunchies’. Yes, we know, it’s dreadful. 

The Tel Aviv nightlife scene can be loud & proud, with no talking allowed. In other words, the adrenaline pumping music that blasts through the clubs and echoes down Rothschild Boulevard, Allenby Street and even Jaffa's alleyways can make it difficult to actually meet someone and hold a conversation. 

Shhh! Don’t tell anyone, but Time Out Israel has rounded up the finest speakeasy bars in Tel Aviv. Step out of your cozy café comfort zone and into the roarin’ American jazz age at these hidden bars where the art of mixology is no joke, especially at the newest addition: Butler. 

Not everyone is cut out for the crazy Tel Aviv nightlife scene. Or perhaps they were at one point – back in the day of the dinosaur – but years of thirsty Thursdays, cocktail hours and drinking one’s way down Dizengoff can get the best of you. Just like with wine, when it comes to people, "good things come with age" too. 

Whether you’re looking for a less rowdy night out or you’re just not feeling the Thursday night bracelet bar / Friday morning hangover combination, there are plenty of things to do in Tel Aviv once that Mediterranean sun sets. From less costly late night activities like a picnic in HaYarkon Park or sharing a bottle of cheap wine and a box of pizza with friends at the beach, to fun adventures like conquering our list of must-try Israeli escape rooms, the White City has got an alternative activity for all types. 

When skimming over our list of top cocktail bars and speakeasies, you may be surprised as to how many are situated within boutique hotels in Tel Aviv. From the classy Library bar inside the Norman hotel to the Imperial cocktail bar, where Time Out Tel Aviv’s Eating and Drinking Awards winner for best cocktail is stirring up wild concoctions with a seasonal menu, to the newest addition to the Tel Aviv rooftop bar scene atop the Poli House, these five drinking establishments are a must.

There is nothing more rewarding than sitting down at a cocktail bar on Dizengoff or grabbing a beer near the Carmel Market after a long day at the office. After all, you've earned it. While the Tel Aviv nightlife scene can do major damage to your wallet, not to mention the cost of post-clubbing drunchies that creep up late at night, food and drank doesn’t have to drain your entire day’s earnings. That’s where these five White City happy hour deals come in – from discounted cocktails to half-off food, these Tel Aviv bars have just the thing to tie you over before a big night out, or give you a reason to head home for a nap or hunker down early.