It’s that time of year again, when the New Year comes around and makes us want to parrrrty! And to help you party like the wild party person we know you are (ahem…), we’ve come up with a sure-fire list of great things to enjoy this New Year’s Eve. The TEN very best ways to see 2016 in with a smile!
Just so you know, New Years Eve is strangely known as Sylvester (after the Feast of Pope Sylvester, celebrated on December 31 in many Eastern European countries). Just take that into consideration when talking with Israelis, as many will not know what you’re talking about if you refer to it as New Years Eve…
5 of the BEST New Years Eve Parties
Israelis know how to party, and some of the great parties to catch include the following:
- One of the hottest clubs in Tel Aviv for getting your groove on, HaAzor (HaRachev 13) is hosting a Tribal Dance trance special that promises to wake up South Tel Aviv! The action starts at 22:00 and costs 80 shekels (pay a little more at the door)!
- The fabulous Brown Hotel Bar is hosting an exclusive New Year’s Eve bash on the hotel rooftop. Among other things, enjoy some tunes from Emily Cage (Berlin Burlesque). Tickets cost 200-500 shekels for what is probably one of Tel Aviv’s finest NYE parties. More details here.
- Another of Tel Aviv’s finest, The Block (Salameh 157) is having a 1984 New Years Party, meaning lots of great 80s tunes. Kicks off at 22:30, costs 40-70 shekels to enter.
- If you’re in Jerusalem, head to the NYE Midnight Kiss Party at the Oliver Twist bar (HaNeviim 59). We’re sure there’ll even be a kiss or two to be had at midnight! Kicks off at 22:00, costs 50 shekels at the door.
- If you’re looking for a bit of sea marauding and rum, head to the pirate party at The Library (the M HaDerekh Mall, Beit Yanai junction). FREE entrance, the action starts at 21:30.
Other great places that typically have some very decent NYE parties include Radio EPGB (at Shadal 7, Tel Aviv), the Anna Lou Lou bar in Yafo (HaPninim 1), the Breakfast Club (Rothschild 6, Tel Aviv), the Student Union at Tel Aviv University, Soho in Rishon Letzion (Moshe Bakar 15), Oscar Wilde (HaShaham 36, Petah Tikva), and Syncopa (Kiat 5, Haifa).
5 other awesome New Years Eve events to enjoy
There are some other great ways to bring in 2016, including some delish restaurant meals, some great local bands, and just something a little bit special (if you’re after a special moment with that special someone)…
- If you like your Asian food, try Taizu (23 Menachem Begin), one of Tel Aviv’s finest, for a four course special. It’ll cost you 269 shekels a pop, call 03-5225005.
- Try the much acclaimed Herbert Samuel restaurant (6 Koifman St) for a special New Years menu full of seafood delights. It will cost 280/330 shekels (much cheaper than last year!) – call 03-5166516.
- Head to the Barby Club in Tel Aviv if you want some classic Israeli tunes from legendary band Meshina, who are currently doing a tour of “intimate” gigs. Tickets cost 158 shekels, the concert starts at 20:30.
- If you’re a fan of the rocking 60s and 70s, then head to the Zapa Club in Tel Aviv (Raul Wallenberg 24) for local band The Sixties. The action starts at 20:30, and tickets cost 110 shekels.
- Finally, how about something simple but a little refreshing – and FREE? Take that special someone to Tel Aviv beach, bring a sheet or blanket to sit on, and cuddle up as the New Year kicks in. You could always bring a bottle of your fave tipple to make those private celebrations flow even better – and you could always substitute “someone special” for your favorite group of friends. After all, it’s not just about where you celebrate, but more about with whom…
Other Tel Aviv and Jerusalem restaurants we’ve come across with some New Years specials: Pronto (4 Herzl St, Tel Aviv), Catit (57 Nahalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv), Tapas Ehad Haam (Ehad Haam 27, Tel Aviv), TYO (Montifiore 7, Tel Aviv), HaMitbachon (Rabbi Akiva 18, Tel Aviv), all branches of choccie specialist Max Brenner, La Regence (at King David 23, Jerusalem), and the American Colony Hotel (call 02-6279777). You could also check out our list of the very best Tel Aviv eateries for some additional ideas!