OK, due to demand, we’ve come up with a sure-fire list of great things to enjoy this New Year’s Eve. The very best ways to see 2015 in with a smile!
For those of you that didn’t 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…
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, Hangar 17 (Ben Avigdor 17) is hosting its annual New Years Eve Ball. The action starts at 21:00 – FREE entrance!
- Another of Tel Aviv’s finest, The Block (Salameh 157) is having a fourth graders New Years Party, meaning lots of great 80s and 90s tunes. Kicks off at 22:30, costs 50-70 shekels to enter.
- Radio EPGB is another superb Tel Aviv nightspot (at Shadal 7), and they’ll be hosting a night of electronic bliss. Kicks off at 22:30 – FREE entrance!
- Head to the Anna Lou Lou bar in Yafo (HaPninim 1) if you want a crazy night of tunes and good times from the “Turkish Prince”! The action starts at midnight – FREE entrance!
- The Breakfast Club (Rothschild 6) is also hosting a night of electronic wonder. Kicks off at 22:00, costs 50 shekels to enter.
- Head to the trendy Brown boutique hotel (Kalisher 25) for some star DJs and some crazy arty stuff! Action starts at 20:00 (free open bar til 22:00), tickets cost 150 shekels.
- The Student Union at Tel Aviv University often have great shindigs and this year will be hosting a big party, complete with a show of some kind. Tickets cost 65-120 for both the show and party, or just 35-45 shekels for the party. Starts at 20:30.
- Retro gay bar Shpagat (43 Nahalat Binyamin) is hosting a funky street party. Starts at 17:00, with low cost beer and drinks, lots of disco and happy tunes throughout the night. FREE entrance!
- Head to Soho in Rishon Letzion (Moshe Bakar 15) for a night of surprises and treats, including free sushi and chasers! The action starts at 22:30, tickets cost a whopping 160-190 shekels.
- Petah Tikva also parties – head to Oscar Wilde (HaShaham 36) for some great 80s music. Kicks off at 21:00, costs 30-50 shekels.
- Head north to Haifa and Syncopa (Kiat 5) for a Masked Ball – plenty of great music and dancing on tables promised. Starts at 22:00 – FREE entrance!
- If you’re in Jerusalem, try The Video bar (on Horkanos 1) for a night of fun. Starts at 22:00 – FREE entrance!
New Years Eve Restaurants
There are some great ways to bring in 2015, including some delish restaurant meals at the following (just a sample – there are LOTS of places doing some great deals and specials):
- 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 350 shekels a pop, call 03-5225005.
- Head to Catit (57 Nahalat Binyamin) for some amazing treats by famed chef Meir Adoni. Expect to pay big bucks for a meal here – call 03-5107001.
- Try the much acclaimed Herbert Samuel restaurant (6 Koifman St) for a special New Years menu full of seafood delights. It will cost 375/425 shekels – call 03-5166516.
- Love Italian? Pronto (4 Herzl St) is your destination, with a rather special menu to savor. Prices start at 260 shekels a pop – call 03-5660915.
- Head to Abushdid (16 Levontin) for an Oriental Fantasy…470 shekels a pop for a night to remember! Call 03-6298822.
- Homely restaurant Han Manuli (7 Bet Eshel, Yafo) has an Eastern European special on for New Years, costing 250-270 shekels. Call 03-6767884.
- The rather tasty Zepra (96 Yigal Allon) has some rather special Asian dishes on the menu – costing 390/530 shekels. Call 03-6240044.
- Other Tel Aviv eateries we’ve come across with some New Years specials: Tapas Ehad Haam (Ehad Haam 27), BBB (HaBarzel 19, Ramat HaHayall), TYO (Montifiore 7), HaMitbachon (Rabbi Akiva 18), and all branches of choccie specialist Max Brenner. You could also check out our list of the very best Tel Aviv eateries of 2014 for some additional ideas!
- If you’re in Jerusalem, don’t miss some New Year fine dining at La Regence at King David 23 – menu starts at 590 shekels per person – call 02-6208795 for details.
- Also in Jerusalem, don’t miss the Rooftop special (King Shlomo 11) on top of the Mamilla Hotel. Menu starts at 400 shekels – call 02-5482230.
- Feeling really rather special? Head to the American Colony Hotel for a night of pure delight. It’ll set you back 800 shekels per person…call 02-6279777.
- In the Upper Galilee, head to the yummy Muskat in Rosh Pina for some meaty delights. Menu starts at 275 shekels per person. Call 04-6994523 for details.
New Years Eve Concerts
Sylvester is typically a night when Israeli musicians get their party hats on and perform at various locations. Here’s a quick summary of some of the best gigs happening on New Years Eve 2014:
- Head to the Ozen Bar in Tel Aviv if you like your indie music. Local indie star Nitzan Horesh and his band the Cut Out Club will be performing, starting at 21:30. Tickets start at 50 shekels.
- The Barby Club in Tel Aviv is your destination if you want some classic Israeli tunes from legend Shalom Hanoch. Tickets cost 100 shekels, the concert starts at 21:30.
- If you fancy some oriental rock, try Dudi Tassa, who will be performing at the Zappa Club in Hertzliya. The action starts at 22:30, and tickets cost 130 shekels.
- Fancy some original and lively 20s style swing? Try the amazing Betty Bears, who will be performing at the Passage in Allenby Street. Kicks off at 22:00, tickets cost just 30 shekels.
- Last up, time for something completely different. Try The Britney Spears, a tribute band of sorts, who cover Britney’s greatest! They’ll be performing at Tmuna, from 21:30. Tickets cost 35-40 shekels.