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Although Jerusalem can't compete with Tel Aviv in terms of the number of nightlife attractions, what the city lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. Pubs, bars, and nightclubs in Jerusalem tend to be more relaxed than those in Tel Aviv—they're friendlier, more informal, and often less expensive. As in Tel Aviv, the nightlife scene in Jerusalem starts very late: some places only begin to fill up after midnight, and most pubs are open until the early hours of the morning. Given the university presence in the city, there’s often a younger crowd at many places.
This austere open space in the center of town once served as a cistern and a storage area, but today the Distillery is the center of Jerusalem's art and alternative music scene. During the day it's an artists' workspace, and at night it's a performance space where you can get Palestinian beer on tap and dance alongside throngs of art students. Try to make it when local DJ mini-celebrities Tali Ben Itzhak or Markey Funk are on the lineup.
A great watering hole with a gritty edge, Sira features a variety of music spun by DJs. Open until the wee hours, it's one of the most fun places in the city to dance. Here you'll find a hodgepodge of students and young professionals who gather on weekend afternoons.
Named for a beloved toy store that previously occupied this space, Toy Bar is a multilevel club with cozy couches for conversation, a great selection of local DJs, and massive flat-screen TVs for live performances and keeping an eye on the game.
