Tel Aviv is a majorly hedonistic city. There are parties every single night of the week, almost every day of the year. In the summer months especially, Tel Aviv residents hardly sleep at all. Maybe it’s the crazy heat that makes people more active at night, or the crazy energy the sun gives you, I have no clue. Saying that, there are a few occasions when things get even crazier.
The biggest party nights of the year in Tel Aviv (and Israel in general) are the “Sylvester” (NYE, i.e. Dec 31st), Purim (the Jewish “dress up in silly costumes and get drunk” holiday, usually around February or March) and Independence Day (usually in late April or May). On those holidays, the whole city practically turns into one giant street party and people from far and wide (not just Tel Aviv) pour into the city and party all night (and the next day too).
There are also things like Gay Pride and the Love Parade that turn the beachfront promenade into a big street party, plus a bunch of smaller street parties every once in a while and, of course, beach parties in the summer.
Tel Aviv Party
Apart from the above cases, parties in Tel Aviv are usually confined to dance bars and clubs, with the occasional semi-legal party thrown in. These happen in warehouses and lofts, usually pretty small and in the South of Tel Aviv. Outdoor raves in the city are less common, but do happen occasionally in surrounding areas and, of course, further afield in the desert, on beaches or other relatively hidden areas.
Clubs in Tel Aviv are quite small, so parties are generally quite intimate. Most “clubs” are actually glorified dance bars of varying sizes, though there are several good-sized venues that are certainly club-like.
If you want to find out where the cool underground parties are in Tel Aviv, just follow this blog. I write about parties all the time. You can also download the complete DIY Tel Aviv guide for details of party promoters, clubs, bars and lots of other cool stuff to see and do in Tel Aviv.