Top Nightlife Locations
Looking for things to do in Jerusalem after the sun sets? Whether you fancy entertainment and culture, Old City nightlife, restaurant bars, live music pubs, dance clubbing, or just a quiet chat over your drink of choice, Jerusalem nightlife is diverse and offers something for everyone.
Bar and Pub Hopping
Most Jerusalem bars and pubs are sectioned together in a few districts in the city center, sometimes differentiated by the age range of attendees. For example, bars on Rivlin Street and offshoot alleyways in Nachalat Shiv’a attract an early 20’s crowd, whereas the Russian Compound (Hahavatzelet and Heleni HaMalka Streets) generally attracts a slightly older crowd. Just down from the Russian Compound, Jaffa Street forks to Shlomtzion HaMalka Street and intersects Ben Sira Street, forming a nerve center of bars and pubs pulsing soundfully any night of the week, with patrons varying in age range.
The Mahane Yehuda Market also has some of the city’s trendiest nightlife offerings in its intimate alleyways, and it’s become a favorite of the Jerusalem hipster scene. Thursday nights at Mahane Yehuda are especially lively, as hustle and bustle of market commerce gives way to celebratory partying at the week’s end.
While Mahane Yehuda bars and restaurants are smaller in seating space, they often spill over into walkways with revelers dancing the night away to local talent live music. Depending on the venue, you’ll find a range of ages partying or just chilling out, taking advantage of the night’s otherwise empty market. The Mahane Yehuda market’s surrounding streets boast top restaurant bars as well, such as Basher’s Restobar on Agrippas Street, HaSh’Hena on Beit Yaakov Street, and the fairly new, yet highly popular Machneyuda, also on Beit Yaakov Street.
If you’re looking for a more countrified setting, the Ein Karem district is well known for its evening intrigue with a plethora of restaurants and bars.
Live Music Bars & Intimate Theaters
Jerusalem nightlife options include several live music bars and clubs featuring the spectrum of musical genres. These venues often showcase talent from Jerusalem’s music schools such as the Hebrew University’s Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance (Rubin Academy), the Musrara Nagar’s School New Music department, and the Ron Shulamit Conservatory.
Some of the most popular bars to enjoy live music are:
Birman Musical Bistro: Live music seven nights/week, with a focus on jazz. Located just off of Ben Yehuda Street, on Dorot Rishonim Street.
Mike’s Place: You’ll feel like you’re in an American college bar, with the neon Budweiser signs, chips and salsa, and full-sized hamburgers, yet Mike’s Place has marketed itself successfully to local Israelis as well. Mike’s Place is incredibly well known for its reliable live bands and sports broadcasts, and is open until the last customer leaves (closed Shabbat).
The Yellow Submarine: In the Talpiot industrial zone, this space offers free jazz on Tuesday nights and otherwise features up-and-coming Israeli talent.
Zappa Jerusalem: This is the place to be if you’re interested in getting a seat for top, often world-famous Israeli performers such as Gidi Gov or David Broza.
Read about the best live Jazz in Jerusalem >>
Let’s Go Dancing
Yes, you can dance the night away in Jerusalem.
For example, play hard with the student party scene in Nahalat Shiv’a at the Toy Bar (HaTzaatzua), where you can switch from dancing to the DJ to bar lounging, and back again. Or check out a more secluded feel at Izen, where the dance floor is smaller and you get the advantage of its prime location’s ambience, the revived First Train Station.
Another option for releasing tension while having a fun time is at Boogie, a weekly free-for-all dance session held in a community culture center. All ages gather together here to just let it all hang out. More religiously/modestly inclined women can even take advantage of a separate women’s dancing section.
A bit further out, in the Talpiot industrial zone, a few dance clubs liven up the area after the car fix-it garages, construction material suppliers, and discount outlets have long shut their doors for the day. For example, HaOman 17, housed in a previous warehouse, has several rooms with varying music styles, and is a popular destination for many a Tel Avivian – a surefire compliment for HaOman 17.
Friday Night Live: What’s Open
While much of Jerusalem closes down for the Sabbath, there are still plenty of venues open on Friday nights. (By Saturday night, the Sabbath has ended, and virtually all Jerusalem nightlife venues are open.)
So what to do in Jerusalem on Friday nights? Catch a film, go clubbing, eat out (many non-kosher restaurants in Jerusalem remain open Friday nights), bar hop or enjoy live music..
For movies, check out the Jerusalem Cinematheque or the Lev Smadar Theater – both often feature English-subtitled foreign and Israeli films, with a restaurant onsite. They’re both located in the German Colony area, a 5-minute cab ride, or a 20-minute walk, from city center.
On Friday nights you can also try any of the dance clubs in the Talpiot industrial zone (see the “Let’s Go Dancing” section above).
A sure bet for a Friday night hangout is any of the bars and restaurants which remain open. If you’d like to plan ahead, search our full lists of restaurants open Friday night and Saturday day and bars and pubs open Friday night.
Read more about where to drink, dance and more on Friday night in Jerusalem >>
Nighttime Cultural Entertainment
Jerusalem is hostess to many world-class festivals, concerts, shows, and theater productions, particularly over the summer months and holiday times. The city’s cultural institutions offer events sure to peak your interest –- check out our comprehensive list of events in Jerusalem for planning your time here.
Some highlights include:
The Old City’s Tower of David Night Spectacular: A few times per week this multimedia presentation renders Jerusalem history excitingly and memorably.
The Old City now has an expansive program called Old City Nights with all kinds of walking theatrical tours, often accompanied by music.
The Jerusalem Theater (also referred to as the Jerusalem Theatre for the Performing Arts) offers a range of international and local dance, music, live theater, and a movie theater which features films in English or subtitled. Check out their schedule as it’s best to book ahead.
The Jerusalem International YMCA schedules cultural events throughout the year, and its architecturally enticing edifice on the luxurious King David street makes for a truly romantic evening.
The First Station: Jerusalem’s old train station was revived and reopened as a cultural complex, often scheduling evening events.
Bar Tours
Get an insider’s view of Jerusalem’s nightlife, learning about all kinds of interesting venues.
See bar tours >>
In Summary
There is so much to do in Jerusalem at night. Check out our nightlife in Jerusalem section for a comprehensive list of venues.