Four Tips for Clubbing in Tel Aviv

So you want to party in one of the world's party capitals.

Tel Aviv has nightlife for every taste. Live music? Check. Good cocktails and drinks of all kinds? Check. Dance floors where you can dance to almost every style of music in existence? Check plus.

However, it's hard being popular *hair toss*. Because everyone comes to Tel Aviv for a good time, you may find yourself overwhelmed and fighting crowds.

You need to be prepared. Here are my four tips for having an absolutely epic night in Israel's second largest city.

Arrive early so you can party late.

Yes, I know: It's a huge faux pas to arrive early to a party. But in Tel Aviv, if you don't arrive early, you may instead find yourself leaving early.

Clubs get crowded and lines are long (think a half hour in some cases).

If you want your pick of clubs -- and spots on the dance floor -- arriving at 10:30pm will often guarantee a fun, uncomplicated night. It may also help you avoid entry fees.

I don't have any good pictures of nightlife. Please enjoy this picture of a Tel Aviv beach.

Have a concrete plan for how you'll return home/to your hotel.

No, a taxi is not a concrete plan.

I once waited nearly two hours with my friends in the rain for a taxi. We were up-charged and had to physically push past people who were trying to steal our ride home. It made me question human depravity.

Tel Aviv seems to have a severe shortage of taxis, so there is no perfect solution to leaving the club without any drama. But there are options:

If it's not Shabbat or a major holiday: Just take the bus. It's not glamorous, but it works.

If it is Shabbat or a major holiday:

Schedule a taxi pickup. It doesn't allow for much spontaneity, but it's reliable.

OR

Cough up the money for lodging downtown so you can walk. It'll likely be cheaper than taxis anyway.

OR

Find a friend with a car who owes you a huge favor, and ask them to either pick you up or be the designated driver.

If you do make the rooky mistake of not planning ahead and you need to order a taxi, carry lots of cash and fight the crowds on Allenby and Rothschild. Don't walk to a quieter street thinking that hailing a taxi will be easier. Taxis rarely frequent quieter streets. They also won't accept credit cards.

Consider hiring a guide for your journey.

Signing up for a pub crawl is a surprisingly efficient way to ensure you get into the right clubs, at the right times. It's an especially good idea for anyone unfamiliar with the city's party scene.

I really enjoyed Tel Aviv Pub Crawl -- Nightlife Tour (no, this is not a sponsored post. So if you see this, Tourist Israel, please sponsor me). I didn't have to worry about entry fees, and I was taken to clubs that I would've never visited on my own but really enjoyed. You'll also get free shots, so pace yourself.

If it's a major "party" holiday, you may want to buy tickets for a party.

If you thought Tel Aviv was crazy before, try going on New Years Eve (I imagine Purim will be off the charts and I'm very excited).

There will be special parties around the city, with strict guest lists. While many people will choose to bar and club hop, going to a ticketed event will generally guarantee manageable crowds and an overall better experience. Buying tickets is actually a good rule of thumb in other party cities as well.

Many parties will have a ticket price around $45, and will sometimes include a drink if you buy early (keep in mind, the entry fee at many clubs will be around $15).

As with everything else on this list, you'll want to plan ahead. Buying tickets at least a week in advance is generally enough to guarantee availability. For lower prices, you'll want to buy them even further in advance -- at least two weeks, maybe earlier.

For those who've already visited Tel Aviv, how do you like to party?