Entertainment in Israel & The Palestinian Territories
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A
Shesek
Something of a black sheep on this street of progressive bars, Mish Mish is a rough-around-the-edges scenester bar and bohemian haunt well-known for pumping out a variety of music (mash-ups and punk to trance and avant-garde hip-hop) and quality beer (including Taybeh, a micro-brew manufactured in Ramallah). It's the kind of place where you can have a civilised conversation with the DJ and make a few requests.
reviewed
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B
Beer House
The Beer House is a little downtrodden but if you are after some very nice beer it's hard to beat. The bartender can guide you through the complexities of the 120 types of beers on offer and provides good commentary with friendly service to boot. They usually recommend a fruity Belgian beer (try the peach). They also serve food and do a nice smoked meat platter. It's below street level in Gan Ha'em Park.
reviewed
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C
Breakfast Club
Plastered with photos of the famous and infamous (Kim Il Sun, Stalin, the Ayatollah and Salvador Dali), and showing bizarre movies on its TVs (Blade Runner, The Wall), this place makes for a unique downtown dance experience. It's known as a late-night destination, so don't bother turning up until 02:00 or 03:00.
reviewed
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D
Minzar
Set back from the main street, this is a bohemian-style coffeehouse that actually specialises in beer. Happy hour extends from 17:00 to 22:00.
reviewed
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E
International Cultural Centre for Youth
The ICCY building hosts folk dancing on Tuesdays (25NIS) from 6pm to midnight. It’s not a performance; it’s local families coming to dance, and you can join in (an instructor is available at the beginning of the session). Thursday is an all-ages dance party, where the DJ spins everything from ‘Superfly’ to the theme from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Participants form conga lines, as well as dancing the tango, the hora and any other possible dance formation. While it sounds a little bizarre, its actually good fun and one cultural event not to be missed. There are dances most nights of the week but you might want to call ahead to ask what’s on (Tel 052 860 8084).
reviewed
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F
Blaumilech
Overlooking gorgeous Rothschild Blvd and busy Allenby St, Blaumilech is perfectly placed to draw in big crowds to it cosy confines. Comfy sofas line the interior of this low-lit lounge-bar and in between them people attempt to dance to the rock, pop and hip hop dished out by the nightly DJ.
It can be a wild scene with so many people trying to dance, drink and mingle in such a tight space. The clientele is an unpretentious 20s and 30s crowd and you shouldn't expect anyone to turn up before 23:00. If the interior is overcrowded you could always hang out on the front deck, a great spot to catch a breather before diving back into the fray.
reviewed
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G
Diwan El Lajun Theatre
If you are interested in seeing co-existence in action, stop by Diwan El Lajun Theatre, a multicultural arts centre run by Gassan Abbass, a well-known actor and director. There are regular music and theatre performances as well as story telling workshops for both adults and children from mixed backgrounds. The theatre is always buzzing, thanks to a women's training program teaching puppet making and traditional Palestinian embroidery.
There's also a small café where performer Hanita-Carolin Hendelman will happily discuss upcoming events.
reviewed
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H
Luna
Part crusader castle, part modern nightclub, Luna is an exciting and large nightclub where young sybarites can drink at five bars or dance in three separate halls, each with its own genre of music. The main hall is a huge vaulted room with stone walls, strobe lights and hip hop music to blow your ears out. There is also a chill-out patio and a Bedouin tent in summer. Thursday is student night.
Nightclubs charge between 50 and around ₪70 cover charge; don't bother turning up until at least 01:00.
reviewed
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I
Shoshana Johnson
A curious find in downtown Tel Aviv. Where most places are all sleek chrome and neon lights, this one belongs in the Latin Quarter of some other continent. The ambiance is relaxed but it's undoubtedly a singles bar - popular with a 30ish crowd. There is no sign in English, so look for the 'Libros en Español' sign. And the name? Shoshana Johnson was an American POW caputured in Iraq - although were not sure what that has to do with a bar on Allenby St.
reviewed
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J
Galilee Experience
Jesus, Napolean and the Israeli General Moshe Dayan are all stars of the Galilee Experience, an hourly film in 12 languages, which recounts the historical, political and geographical story of the Galilee. The 'state-of-the-art slide show' is more high school projector job than Hollywood cineplex but it gets a constant stream of visitors to the marina complex which also includes an internet café (₪10 for 30 minutes) and a souvenir shop.
reviewed
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K
Martef 10
Martef 10 'Basement 10' is a nonprofit student club that hosts live music shows most nights of the week from 22:00. During the school year it's closed Tuesday and Saturday. During the summer it's closed Saturday and Monday. Shows are usually jazz, Irish or Israeli music. It's very informal - cushions on the floor make up the seating and dress is casual. The room is windowless and a little claustrophobic, but smoking is thankfully prohibited.
reviewed
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L
Uganda
Uganda is a unique concept. As a combination comic-book store, bar and cafe, it tends to attract an eclectic crowd. Dedicated to everything that is alternative, it’s named after the alternative nation offered by the British to Herzl. Taybeh (made in Palestine) beer is served and East Jerusalem hummus can also be doled out. Comfy chairs, a relaxed vibe and good music go down well with locals and visitors alike.
reviewed
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M
Jerusalem Centre for the Performing Arts
The Jerusalem Centre for the Performing Arts includes a concert hall, theatres and a cafe. Its Sherover Theatre (admission 170NIS) has simultaneous English-language translation headsets available for certain performances. Comedy, music and dance performances are held here; it’s also home to the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Free concerts are held on Monday at 5pm from October to June.
reviewed
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Unplugged
Next door to the Underground Pub, this place has a main bar plus a popular outdoor tented area that attracts rowdy young things pretending to be drunk, and sleazy soldiers who commandeer the picnic tables with impressive MTV rip-off dance moves. While it would be an OK place to puff on a water pipe and relax on the couches, the music is so loud it makes chatting with friends a distinct impossibility.
reviewed
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N
Yankee’s Bar
When we visited this place it seemed like the regular barflies had not left their seats in days. Sure enough, there is plenty of reason to stay: Monday is all-you-can-drink beer night (65NIS), jam sessions are held on Wednesday and outdoor concerts on Friday. At other times, owner Itzik and bartender Walter will keep you entertained somehow. It’s down a narrow alley off Yoel Solomon St.
reviewed
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O
Haoman 17
With its warehouse location, booming sound system and great lighting, Haoman 17 is one of the ultimate clubbing venues. International DJs often spin records here. When you get down to Haoman St, it’s opposite the Anjril Grill, under the Philips sign. From the City Centre it’s best to come down here in a taxi. From the German Colony it’s about a 10- to 15-minute walk.
reviewed
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P
Three Monkeys Pub
The beating heart of Eilat's nightlife can be found at this wannabe English pub, which has 12 types of beer on tap (whether they can pour them is another question) and enough fruity cocktails to keep the sunburnt punters happy. Sit out on the sand under the fairy-lit palm trees, until you are drunk enough to think that the live cover band is good enough for a boogie.
reviewed
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Q
Nanuchka
This Georgian place is set inside an old home, and this fact comes through in the rambling nature of the place - there are several interconnected rooms, one for dining, one for drinking and others for floor lounging. It serves partially as a restaurant but most people simply try to wedge their way to the bar, where a convivial atmosphere makes it easy to meet others.
reviewed
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R
Borderline
The name of this place comes from its location close to the former Green Line, which divided Israel from Jordan prior to 1967. It’s not so tense these days, with a pleasant garden and rustic indoor bar of Jerusalem stone. The clientele is a pleasant mix of Palestinian businessmen and foreign aid workers based in the neighbourhood.
reviewed
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S
Bear
The Bear is a popular Irish pub and is regarded as the city's main expat hang-out. Munch on pretzels and try to identify your favourite teams' scarf - it's bound to be on one of the walls. For meals, you can choose between salads, sandwiches, chicken, steak and seafood, washed down with your choice of 12 different draught beers.
reviewed
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T
Shoshan
The gay and lesbian scene in Jerusalem is much more subdued compared with that in Tel Aviv. At the time of writing the main evening hangout was Shoshan, a small, slick bar at the end of a quiet alley south of Safra Sq. A drag show is held on Monday, dance parties are on Thursday and Friday, while Sunday is lesbian night.
reviewed
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U
Papaya
More Thai Island than Tiberias, this slick little beach bar reckons it has the best cocktails in town. Weekly theme nights such as karaoke and salsa get the tiny dance floor shaking, but the best time of day is dusk when you can actually catch not only the bartender's attention, but the great sunset views over the lake.
reviewed
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V
Syncopa
Injecting some life back into the downtown area, this new bar on the corner of Nathanson St attracts a slightly more mature crowd. A cream-coloured interior glows with the soft lighting and the whole place grooves to a funk beat. Paired with Mayan Habira around the corner you've got a hardy evening of meat and alcohol.
reviewed
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Cafe Rimon
Spend some quality time on the porch of Cafe Rimon, soaking in the frenetic atmosphere around Damascus Gate. It’s one of the best places in town for people watching – have a camera ready to sneak some photos. You can get fresh juice (€3 to €5), nargileh (€5), or try the famed Taybeh beer (€4) from the West Bank.
reviewed
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W
Achurva
You'll need to dance around the puddles of beer in this grungy rooftop dance place in the port. It's not the most glamorous outfit but it remains extremely popular with the soldier crowd.
Nightclubs charge between 50 and around ₪70 cover charge; don't bother turning up until at least 01:00.
reviewed