The Best Board Game Pubs And Bars In Israel

HaTaklit (The Record) is the brainchild of three born and bred Jerusalemites, who are involved in the local music industry. The trendy bar and performance space is decorated with record sleeves on the walls, expressing their love for vinyl. They offer a full bar with cocktails and beer on tap, English football screenings, live music, DJs, as well as exciting independent performers. Happy hour is between 4:30pm and 9:00pm with 1 + 1 on tap beers. The interior is small and cozy and tables sprawl out on onto the street. You can chill out with a game of shesh besh, backgammon or even a game of table football.

Hakaseta (The Cassette) is a bar in downtown Jerusalem owned by the same guys from the Hataklit and now defunct Stardust. Hakaseta is decorated with cassettes on the walls, and is known as Hataklit’s little sister. The atmosphere is fun and relaxing with mostly indie and new-age music playing, along with some classic tunes from the ’60s to the ’80s. The beer menu has a massive selection and there is even a video arcade game to round off the retro feel of your night out. The bar has about 20 seats inside and out.

Once in a while there is an evening of geeks and games at Beit Marzeah, which is held at the Havana Music Club in Tel Aviv. Featuring a big area for board games and role-playing games, the venue is spacious and air conditioned, clean and well lit. They boast a huge library of games, with the bar and kitchen available for events as well.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more classy but with a relaxing feel, try Par Derriere: a romantic wine bar in Tel Aviv. The name is French meaning ‘from behind’, as it is located inside a magical inner courtyard, behind one of Tel Aviv’s most unique buildings. The courtyard is the perfect setting for the bar, not to mention their delicious menu and the interior is comfortable with great decor. The fun part of this romantic bar is that you can play shesh besh backgammon, whilst listening to some great jazz and lounge music.

Shuffle bar is located in the hipster neighborhood, Florentin. It has the feel of a ‘home bar’. They stock classic Israeli board games, and have a chilled out atmosphere with low music and friendly waiters. Don’t forget to look up from your game to meet some cool new people. Apart from the games they have a ‘bottomless Tuesday’ all you can drink beer day, and the food selection is also ideal for tasty snacking.

Sheinkin 50 is the name of the street and the place to go for some good fun before you hit the clubs. This place is famous for its great prices and amazing selection of board games. They have the region’s best local beers on tap, Taybeh and Jem’s 8.8. All board games are free to play, but you may want to contact them in advance to reserve your favorite. They’ve got everything from Rummikub, Cards Against Humanity and Guess Who to Apples to Apples, Connect 4 and the classic Monopoly and Scrabble, and so much more! There’s no better way to spend your evening than getting your game on at Sheinkin 50.