Where to Drink in Tel Aviv-Yafo Right Now: 5 Bars Locals Are Whispering About

La Bodega - New neighborhood wine bar buzz

La Bodega is the kind of place Tel Avivians tell friends about in a low voice so it does not get too crowded too fast. With a standout 4.7 rating and the profile of a new business, it is quickly becoming a go-to for relaxed, grown-up nights out.

Inside, think warm lighting, shelves of bottles and a soundtrack that lets you talk without shouting. The focus is on well-chosen wines by the glass, small plates to share and friendly staff who actually like helping you pick something new.

Why it is trending now: La Bodega is new enough that it still feels like a discovery, but the strong early rating shows word of mouth is working. If you want a Tel Aviv bar that feels intimate and not overrun with tourists yet, this is your move.

Best for: Date nights, wine-curious travelers, small groups who want conversation over cocktails.

Teder.fm - Open air cultural playground

Teder.fm is not just a bar. It is a courtyard, a radio station, a pizza joint and an open-air hangout that feels like the city’s creative living room. With thousands of reviews and a solid 4.4 rating, it has long been a local favorite, but it keeps reinventing itself so it never feels stale.

Expect picnic tables, big-format pizzas, art pop-ups and DJ sets that slide from laid-back grooves to late-night dance sessions. It draws a mix of artists, students, tech workers and visitors who heard about it from a friend of a friend.

Why it is trending now: Teder.fm keeps a steady review momentum because the programming is always shifting. New collab events, outdoor parties and pop-up markets keep locals coming back, which means the vibe stays fresh for travelers too.

Best for: Groups, pre-club drinks, casual dancing, anyone who wants to feel plugged into Tel Aviv-Yafo’s creative scene.

Mike's Place - Classic beachfront expat bar energy

Mike's Place is a Tel Aviv institution: a long-running bar that feels like a cross between a sports pub, live music venue and international living room. With a 4.3 rating and thousands of reviews, it is clearly not a secret, but it is having a second life as a comfort-spot for digital nomads and remote workers staying near the beach.

You get big screens with international sports, hearty bar food, long pours and live bands that lean into rock, blues and crowd-pleasing covers. English is widely spoken and the staff are used to first-timers, so it is one of the easiest bars in the city for visitors to relax in.

Why it is trending now: Mike's Place keeps picking up fresh reviews as new waves of travelers and expats pass through. In a city of sleek cocktail spots, its easygoing, no-attitude vibe feels refreshing and familiar, which is exactly what many people are looking for after a long travel day.

Best for: Solo travelers, sports fans, big nights out with a mixed local and international crowd.

פקק (pronounced roughly “pakak”) is a small, highly rated bar that most visitors still miss. With a 4.8 rating from a growing base of reviews, it is quietly building a reputation among locals who like intimate, low-key spots.

The space is compact, so it fills up quickly, but that is part of the charm. Expect a tight drinks list, personal service and a room where it is easy to end up talking to the people at the next table. Think neighborhood bar more than destination club.

Why it is trending now: High ratings plus a relatively small review count signal a place early in its growth curve. Locals are starting to talk about פקק as a cozy alternative to the city’s louder bars, which means this is the perfect time to visit before it becomes a must-book hotspot.

Best for: Couples, locals-with-friends, travelers who love discovering tiny bars before they blow up.

Kuli Alma - Artsy basement for late nights

Kuli Alma is a Tel Aviv-Yafo nightlife landmark that still feels underground. With 1,000+ reviews and a 4.0 rating, it is well known, but its rotating art, music and pop-up installations keep it feeling like a living project rather than a static club.

Head downstairs into a colorful maze of murals, neon corners and multiple bars. Music ranges from electronic and hip hop to indie and global beats, depending on the night. It is one of the city’s most reliable spots for dancing without the formality of a big club.

Why it is trending now: Kuli Alma’s growth score shows it is holding interest even as new bars open. It is a staple in local nightlife itineraries, and visiting DJs, art nights and collabs keep younger crowds flowing in. If you want to see Tel Aviv after midnight, this is still a key stop.

Best for: Night owls, art and music lovers, bar hopping with friends.

How to choose your Tel Aviv-Yafo bar tonight

• For a quiet, quality drink: Start at La Bodega or פקק.
• For social, open-air vibes: Head to Teder.fm in the evening and see what event is on.
• For a friendly, international crowd: Drop into Mike's Place by the beach.
• For late-night dancing and art: Finish at Kuli Alma.

Tel Aviv-Yafo’s bar scene shifts fast, but that is where MapsBuddy shines. Use MapsBuddy to spot places like La Bodega and פקק while they are still under the radar, then layer in icons like Teder.fm and Kuli Alma for a night that feels both local and legendary.