Jerusalem Entertainment

Though Jerusalem is usually associated with religion and history, there’s also a vibrant nightlife in the city. Nevertheless, Tel Aviv is still the preferred destination for clubbing and partying, and many locals travel the 37 miles to enjoy a night out.

Nightlife

Nightclubs in Jerusalem are generally expensive and operate a strict dress code. Many of the clubs are situated in the Talpiot area and in West Jerusalem. Over in Muslim East Jerusalem, alcohol is virtually unavailable, with the notable exception of the Cellar Bar at the American Colony Hotel.

There are a number of bars in the Christian and Armenian Quarters of the Old City, with the Tabasco Tearooms being one of the most popular. While the trendy Zanzibar on 13 Shamai attracts a fashion-conscious clientele and can provide a good night out. Tzoof Bar is an atmospheric bar that occasionally offers stand-up comedy and live jazz. Nahalat Shiv’ah, outside the city walls, is one of the city’s liveliest areas at night, and offers many bars, cafés and pubs as well as some great restaurants.

There are also some good nightclubs in the city including Underground and Haoman 17. Most of these clubs are located in West Jerusalem and some, including Haoman, attract international DJs and boast several dance floors.

Theatre and music

Many world-class classical music events take place in Israel including the International Harp Contest that is held here every three years and important music festivals including Kibbutz Ein Gev and the Kibbutz Kfar Blum. The Jerusalem Centre for the Performing Arts, located in the German Colony area of west Jerusalem, is the city’s unofficial cultural centre. This venue, as well as the Jerusalem Film Centre, are worth a visit to experience the creativity of Israel’s most talented performers.

The Henry Crown Symphony Hall is the home of the renowned Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and is frequented by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Jazz is also popular in the city, and venues include the Pargod Theatre and the Tmol Shilshom Bookstore Café.

Jerusalem’s most creative theatre for new plays is undoubtedly the Khan Theatre on David Remez Square, though more avant-garde drama and experimental theatre can be enjoyed at the Habima Theater, which is a 96-seat studio that stages many creative productions.

Festivals

All Jewish religious festivals and holidays are 24 hours long, starting at nightfall and ending the following day. However, the festivals fall on different dates every year, similar to many Muslim festivals. Some of the city’s main festivals include:

• The Jerusalem Half-Marathon, which is held annually at the end of March.
• Passover (Pesach) is generally held in mid-April, and products made with yeast cannot be consumed for an entire week.
• Yom HaShoah, memorialises the victims of the Holocaust. This event is often held around May.
• Israel Independence Day is a celebration of the declaration of the State of Israel on the 7th of May, 1948.
• The Israel Festival is held annually between May and June, and includes many cultural events.
• Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem and the return to Jewish rule on the 6th of June, 1967.
• Pentecost (Shavuot) is held in July, and is known as the festival of the first fruits.
• Abu Gosh Music Festival is held annually at Shavuot and Sukkot, at Crusader Church, Abu Gosh, west of Jerusalem.
• The Jerusalem Film Festival is held every July. More information is available at www.jff.org.il.
• Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of the Jewish New Year.
• Ramadan extends from October to November, and includes lively parties at night-time.
• Christmas Eve on the 24th of December is celebrated at Christian sites across the city.
• Christmas Day on the 25th December is also celebrated across the city at the many Christian sites.