The Best Bars in Tel Aviv

Designed to bring the Prohibition era to the present day, Bellboy Bar in Hotel B Berdichevsky will transport its visitors from the heart of Tel Aviv to 1920s New York. Located just off Habima Square, this speakeasy has an underground feel; it’s dimly lit, with period interiors, including plush velvet seating and an engraved-wood bar. Though Bellboy is renowned for its creative craft cocktails, alcohol is hidden away in true Prohibition style; the staff members, who never break character, push prams that serve as drink trolleys around the venue. For an even more authentic experience, visitors can sneak into the adjacent Butler Bar – Bellboy’s sister venue – which is concealed behind a trap door in a private hideaway. Here, 12 visitors can gather around an intimate bar and sample cocktails and small bites. There is only one rule: “this is a bar – relax.” If you love underground bars, check out our guide to the best underground bars in Tel Aviv.

As it’s open day and night, and all week long, Herzl 16 is as much a hotspot for late-night cocktails as it is for brunch. The resto-bar is the successor to the much-loved venue Rothschild 12, which moved to its new premises in early 2018 and changed its name to reflect its new address. Now housed in an open-plan courtyard complex in central Tel Aviv, Herzl 16 includes a large indoor area, which hosts regular live events, and extensive outdoor seating. Though breakfast is served before noon, crowds flock from the early afternoon to sip on fine wines, craft cocktails, sake and beer on tap. The evening menu includes Japanese-inspired bar snacks, including gyoza and tempura, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a live gig or musical performance at the indoor stage.

Located in the city centre, down a quiet alleyway on Allenby Street, Sputnik bar is one of Tel Aviv’s most popular venues, drawing a young, artistic crowd. And it’s no wonder as the bar/club’s decor is inspired by art from the 1950s and 1960s that predicted what the 21st century would look like. Its maze of rooms features wall projections, bespoke playlists that range from house to hip-hop, and bars that serve reasonably priced drinks and cocktails. Its sprawling outdoor area is equally futuristic, featuring a garden of hanging lanterns and loud music – perfect for those seeking to stay out all night.

Situated above the Levinsky Market in Florentin, Mondo 2000 is a 1980s-inspired rooftop bar in the city’s acclaimed artistic neighbourhood. Showcasing panoramic views of southern Tel Aviv – from Bauhaus buildings to beaches – this venue is an excellent place to enjoy the city’s 300 days of sunshine. Mondo 2000 is a weekend-only club, open Thursday through Saturday, with disco and funk music playing from 8pm into the early hours of the morning.

Burrowed beneath Rothschild Boulevard, BuXa is a lively art gallery and bar that attracts a diverse crowd of both local people and visitors. One of Tel Aviv’s most eccentric venues, this locale is home to Israel’s largest collection of designer toys, as well as a selection of contemporary fine art by up-and-coming artists. Enjoy the venue’s curated design as you drink through the bar’s upscale menu of cocktails, before heading to the yard for some fresh air or dancing the night away to a DJ set on the lower floor.

What began as a radio pop-up hosted at various bars across the city is now a thriving locale at a courtyard in southern Tel Aviv. Teder.fm, a mainstay on the local nightlife scene, is known for its carefully curated choice of music, broadcast live every evening Monday through Saturday. It also hosts music performances and live DJ sets on its central stage. In the evenings, the relaxed vibe makes for an ideal evening among friends, though nights at Teder.fm often become parties that stretch into the early hours of the morning.

With four locations across Tel Aviv at Habima, Carmel Market, Levinsky Market and Jaffa, you are never too far from BeerBazaar, the “home of Israeli craft beer”. A prime spot to spend the day, or night, this venue will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about craft beer, as its expert team serves 100 varieties of local drafts, some of which are brewed in-house. BeerBazaar also offers house wines, spirits, soft drinks and a menu of meze-style comfort dishes for those seeking something beyond the beer.

Shpagat is a staple on Tel Aviv’s LGBTQ nightlife scene. The venue, situated on the bustling Nahalat Binyamin Street, is easily identifiable by its tiered floors. Intimate tables are located on a series of large steps, and the space below features a bar and dance floor. Shpagat, meaning “the splits” in Hebrew, is fun and flamboyant, with a welcoming atmosphere – it’s a hotspot for renowned DJs and music events.

Old New York charm meets legendary Tel Avivian nightlife at Jasper Johns. Located on the lively Dizengoff Street, this venue seats up to 20 people on high stools around a gold-topped bar, inspired by an old New York speakeasy. Here, mixologists serve masterfully crafted cocktails including the bar’s speciality, the Pink Agony – a delicately balanced blend of herbal liqueur, caramel and fruit juice. But most don’t come to Jasper Johns just for a quiet cocktail; the bar is known for throwing a good party, with drinks flowing all night and a DJ playing a selection of music. Italian bar snacks are on offer from the early evening, and a free aperitivo is served alongside your drink from 6pm to 9pm.