Pride and LGBTQ in Israel: clubs, bars and parties

The scene

Tel Aviv's Pride and LGBTQ+ scene is one of the best known in Israeli nightlife, with a name well beyond the country. Today it lives mostly in parties and regular lines rather than in a fixed set of bars: a weekly or monthly line at a particular club, a big party that moves between venues, and nights at bars and dance bars that are open to everyone and host the community. Almost any weekend you will find something on, especially on Thursday and Friday.

The music changes from line to line: pop, sing-along hits, house, techno and Mizrahi. Drag is a big part of the scene, with shows in bars and clubs, sometimes as part of a party and sometimes as a night of its own. Some lines are big and packed; other nights are smaller and more intimate, in a neighbourhood bar.

Which nights

Thursday and Friday are the big nights, and club parties start late and fill up after midnight. Bar nights and drag shows usually start earlier, and some happen midweek. The high point of the year is Tel Aviv Pride week in June, with the parade and parties and events across the city. That week there is far more going on than at any other time, so plan ahead and buy tickets early.

At the door

• ID: bring your passport or another photo ID. The minimum age is set by the venue or the party and is sometimes above 18; it is on the event page when the venue published it.
• Tickets: the big parties sell tickets in advance, and during Pride week they go fast.
• Safer spaces: many parties describe themselves as a safe space and ask everyone to treat each other with respect. Some run a door selection to protect that.
• Everyone who comes with respect is welcome. In practice, what is asked of you is to respect the space and the people in it.

Other cities

Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba each have an active community, parties and bar nights, and each holds Pride events of its own. There is less on offer than in Tel Aviv, and many nights are announced at short notice. Eilat hosts parties mainly on long weekends and holidays.

Finding a party this week

The scene page lists the venues that host the community and the upcoming parties, city by city. The list is built from the events venues publish themselves in the Laila app and updates all the time. Each event shows what the venue published: door time, minimum age and a ticket link.

Questions people ask

When are the Pride parties in Tel Aviv?

Almost every weekend, mostly on Thursday and Friday, with bar nights and drag shows midweek as well. Pride week in June brings far more parties and events. The scene page lists upcoming parties by date.

Do I have to be part of the community to go?

No. Most parties and nights are open to anyone who comes with respect and keeps to the spirit of the night. Some describe themselves as a safe space and run a door selection to keep it that way. If you are unsure, check the event page or ask the venue.

Are there Pride parties outside Tel Aviv?

Yes. Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba have parties and bar nights, and each city holds Pride events of its own. There is less on offer, so it is worth checking the city's scene page a few times during the week.