Every night there are live music shows in Tel Aviv, with literally hundreds of small, semi-professional bands giving small intimate concerts across the city. Many of Israel’s more established musicians do not forget their roots, and will also still perform at those bars and clubs only the locals know, well into their careers. For visitors to Tel Aviv, finding the cool venues for live music, can be the challenge, and with so much cultural diversity and activity taking place, that challenge only increases. We’ve selected five of the coolest places to hear live music in Tel Aviv. These are established venues which host a diverse array of local (and some international) music, and are incredibly popular with locals.
Ozen Bar
The Ozen Bar (the ‘Ear Bar’) holds concerts from a diverse range of local performers from rock and alternative, to funk, hip-hop, and groove. The Ozen Bar’s impressive line-up often includes multiple concerts one day, and it’s a venue which hosts big local names, and smaller, up-and-coming artists. Tickets are usually around 50 NIS per person.
48 King George, Tel Aviv. 03-6215210. www.ozenbar.com
The Block
The Block sits in South Tel Aviv. Probably the most prestigious nightclub in Israel, the club draws a huge following from locals who flock here to take in the cutting edge sounds which are often played by some of the leading names in the dance industry. The club is well known for its sound-system which was inspired by the systems of New York City in 1970’s and 80’s, and hosts special concerts and parties most Thursday and Friday nights.
157 Salame Street, Tel Aviv. 03-537-8002. www.block-club.com
Levontin 7
Levontin 7 is a bar for music lovers, with live music most nights, often from local artists as well as many unique sounds. It’s at the heart of Tel Aviv’s alternative music scene, with huge variety of sounds ranging from new age, to central Asian fusions.
7 Levontin Street, Tel Aviv. 03-5605084. www.levontin7.com
Rothschild 12
At the southern end of Tel Aviv’s most vibrant street, many aren’t sure what to make of Rothschild 12 from the outside. This cafe-bar fusion has a unique decor and unique atmosphere, and its great nightly live music shows transform it. Most performances are free, and Rothschild 12 attracts a chic and eclectic crowd of locals including the odd famous local face.
12 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv. 03- 5106430 www.rothschild12.co.il
Barby Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv’s Barby Club is a long established music venue in the south of the city. The club hosts concerts almost every night, largely from more established local performers, as well as a good selection of niche international performers (past concerts include Calexico, Oi Va Voi, and Stephen Malkmus. Barby is larger than most venues in this list, with capacity for around 600, and most concerts are between 50-100 NIS, although the performers here are many of Israel’s most famous.
52 Derekh Kibbutz Galyot, Tel Aviv. 03-5188123. www.barby.co.il
Pasaz
In the heart of Tel Aviv, Pasaz is an underground club on busy Allenby Street, which hosts a diverse array of alternative music – from up-and-coming local indie and groove to niche international DJ’s. The musical sophistication of Pasaz is almost unbeatable in Tel Aviv, with a great crowd of locals heading there to experience new and unique sounds.
94 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv. 077-332-3118. Pasaz on Facebook
Zappa Tel Aviv
Another club which draws many of Israel’s biggest name musicians, as well as a good range of international stars on the way up, and of times gone by, Zappa Tel Aviv is one of four Zappa clubs in Israel, and hosts concerts most night. The location in the Ramat Hahayal Area in the far north of the city is a little out of the way, but for the right concert, its well worth the journey.
24 Raul Wallenberg Street, Tel Aviv. *9080. www.zappa-club.co.il
