Tel Aviv nightlife: the top cocktail bars in the White City

Hidden inside the Imperial Hotel, the Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar is the top of the top when it comes to craft cocktails. This temple to the lost art of cocktail goes back to the source, featuring veteran bartenders from the younger years of the White City. With an Asian-colonial inspired kitchen and a wide range of music from jazz to rock n’ roll, it’s no coincidence Imperial was crowned Drinks International magazine’s ‘Best Bar in Africa and the Middle East.’

Known as the “cocktail bar pharmacy," the bartenders actually dress like pharmacists, and cocktails are served in three different sized beaker bottles. This is the largest cocktail bar in Tel Aviv, but don’t get confused when you see a sign for “The East Jaffa Perfume Company” – you’re at the right place! With a happy hour from 18:00 - 21:00 offering 1+1 on all cocktails, it is definitely worth it to pop in a bit early for a deal. This elegant spot features a weekly mojito Monday as well as a massive selection of cocktails every day.

The quaint one-room bar nestled inside Bellboy is a visual overload. The walls are adorned with period pieces like paintings, key holders and other gems. Mason jars filled with octopi, squids, brains and other organs add a little extra "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" feel to the Victorian ambiance; an old rotary dial sits promptly at one end of the bar, mixology mastermind Ariel Leizgold at the other.   While Bellboy adorns their cocktails with crazy serving vessels and magic tricks, Butler shines the spotlight on the cocktail itself – no hooty tooty aesthetics, just unbelievable combinations in simple, identical glasses. Read over the menus "house rules" then dive into the infinite possibilities. Standouts were the "Coffee Cocktail," which tastes exactly like coffee, but does not have a drop of espresso in it, and the "Aviation," which takes a classic gin cocktail, and infuses it with subtle notes of violet.   When you re-enter the reality of Rothschild Boulevard on a bustling weekend night, you'll dream of your next visit to Butler. You may even question if it was all a dream to begin with; if such a magical place could exist. Guess you'll just have to return and see...

Redefining the bar experience since 2014, Bell Boy bar has one simple motto: “everyone deserves to have fun.” They pride themselves on an approach to food and drinks that is slightly out of the ordinary. We’d tell you what they mean, but we don’t want to ruin the surprise. You’ll just have to come to the lobby of the Bedichevsky boutique hotel to see for yourself. Reserving a table ahead of time is a smart idea as the place is as popular as it is stylish.

Classy and elegant cocktail bars in Tel Aviv don’t get more authentic than The Library Bar at The Norman Hotel. This stylish 1940s style bar has an extensive cocktail and spirits menu as well as one of the finest wine lists in Tel Aviv. Whether meeting business associates or simply sitting back and relaxing with one of the books in the library, you can enjoy a special all-day food menu from the restaurant kitchen from noon or a traditional English afternoon tea. At night, the bar transforms into a stylish lounge, perfect for a romantic date or a night out with friends.

Ariel Leizgold talks about redefining hospitality, cocktail glass thieves and the 'fantastic' new tricks he's got up his tattooed sleeves Ariel Leizgold has been at your service since he was 17 years old. What started off as a waitstaff position for an events company morphed into shaking and stirring behind the bar a year later, and he hasn't looked back since.