LIVE MUSIC
Young Israeli rock bands have appointed Tel Aviv their headquarters and play the
clubs nightly. In addition, two amphitheaters at Ha-Yarkon Park hold concerts.
Ha-Ir (The City), a weekly Hebrew magazine, has a section called "Akhbar Ha-
ir," with comprehensive listings. For Ustings in English, check the brochure This
Week in Tel Aviv, produced by The Jerusalem Post.
Barbie, 40 Salame Rd. , halfway between Herzl St. and Marzuk Veezar.
Only accessible by taxi. Look for a gray striped awning or a big crowd. Garage-like place
is frequented by some of the best rock bands in Israel. Cover NIS10-50 depending on
the band's fame. Shows Su-F 10pm and midnight.
Heineken Habima , on the left side of Kikkar Habima, at the top of Roth-
schild Blvd. Locals groove to local bands by the neon and candlelight. Beer NIS15-20.
Cover NIS25, weekends NIS30. Open M-Sa at 10:30pm.
Camelot, 16 Shalom Aleichem St. The basement echoes with live blues
and R&B, while the upstairs pub stays mellow, with DJs on W, F, and Sa. Cover NIS35-
80 for downstairs. Open daily 9pm-4am. Reserve at least a day before for good bands.
DON'T ASK, DON'T TEL AVIV Today, Tel Aviv is home to
Israel's most thriving gay community. From the soaring attendance at the annual gay
pride day party (now held in Ha-Yarkon Park) to the large number of gay clubs, pubs,
and establishments with "gay nights," the community is present, active, and powerful.
The best ways to find out what's going on are by catching leaflets on Sheinkin St. and
reading На-Zman Ha-Varod.
Daniel's Punchnight , in the Dolphinarium next to Pacha. The waitstaff
are also the performers at this packed dance-bar and gril1+. Cover NIS30. Open Tu-
Sa 10pm-4am.
DISCOS
Tel Aviv's dance scene is always on the move; the only club one year may be
empty the next and a hardware store after that. To really enjoy Tel Aviv's nightlife,
you may have to reset your internal clock. The music sometimes starts early, but
no one arrives before midnight and places tend to peak around 3am. Friday is the
hottest. Those who really want to earn their nocturnal merit badges should keep
an eye out for after-party signs; different clubs take turns hosting these 6:30am
(Saturday morning) bashes that tunnel on until noon.
Pacha . This sprawling club in the Dolphinarium overlooks the ocean. The
hedonistic playground has two dance floors (Th house and 80s, F-Sa all house), a
lounge for nargilah (NIS15), masseuses, and more glittered and pierced navels than
you can count. Th 23+, F-Sa 18+. Cover NIS60-100. Open Th at lam, F-Sa at midnight.
The Octopus , at the port. Turn right at the end ofYermiyahu St. near the
Superpharm, and continue 300m to the cluster of clubs. After Thursdays and Fridays of
hard-core trance, the crowd chills out at the Saturday sundown party (5:30pm) then
grooves up for 70s night fever (midnight). Cover Th NIS80, F-Sa NIS60.
The Scene, 56 Allenby Rd. A catwalk of a club, the Scene serves as the
prime stomping grounds for Tel Aviv's starlets in sequins. Club goes loco for salsa on
Thursday. Monday is gay nigh3+. Cover NIS50. Open M-Sa 10pm-4am.
The Second Floor, 67 Allenby Rd. Head under the blue wooden sign around back and up
the stairs. Wild crowd spills out onto the balcony of this 70s-style apartment or retreats
to the many chill-out rooms to enjoy pool, nargilah, or rooftop jaz0+. Cover NIS30.
Open Th-F at 10pm, occasional jazz soirees on Friday afternoons.
Dynamo Dvash, 59 Abarbanel St. , a small street off Salame St. on your
left when coming from Herzl St. DJs from all over the world craft "brain dance" electron-
ica high above the warehouse floo1+. Cover NIS40-70. Open Th, F at midnight.
Fetish , on Rambam St. off Nafialat Binyamin. Despite the name, this
trendy dance club is pretty vanilla. The international crowd gets shaken up on James
Bond Saturdays and kicks it up for salsa Thursdays.