Gay Pride in Tel Aviv: 10 reasons to enjoy Israel's gay capital

May 18 2016

by misterb&b

Gay Pride in Tel Aviv is the perfect time to realize how gay-friendly this Israeli city is! With a huge beach lined with modern buildings, a vibrant nightlife, an impressive food offer, plus a bustling gay scene, Tel Aviv has been a favorite destination for gay travelers in the Mediterranean for years. Here are ten reasons why you should not miss Tel Aviv gay pride's 18th edition, from May 22 to June 4.

The sun

Photo © OutStanding Travel

Tel Aviv is all about sun, heat, and endless summer! So pack light, only shorts, flip flops, and tank tops. For the beach, indulge yourself with a (small) cooler for drinks and fruits. While walking in the city, enjoy a smoothie at one of the many fresh fruit stands, or don’t resist one of the fantastic ice cream shops. Never stay away from the air conditioning, and don’t forget either sunscreen or (genuine) sunglasses. And if you visit later in the summer, be aware that August is the hottest month (and very humid).

Gay, gay, gay!

It’s hard to think of a more pro-gay municipality that cares so much about its gay Pride. For one week in June, the town is covered with rainbow flags, not just on the gay beach. The facade of the town hall is all rainbow (see picture above), and shops are invited to raise the gay flags. Tel Aviv is by far the gayest city in Israel. It's easy to realize at any time of the year; it is pretty evident during the gay Pride.

The Pride Parade

The parade gathered 180,000 people in 2015, including 30,000 tourists from abroad. The 2016 parade will be held Friday, June 3 (in Israel, the weekend starts on Friday). It will begin at the Gan Meir Park, next to the LGBT community center, continue along the sea promenade, and end in the south of the city, in the Charles Clore Park, with a large shaded podium. But prepare the fans and sunscreen; it will be a scorching day!

Hilton Beach, the gay beach

Photo © Ted Eytan - Flickr

At the foot of Independence Park, a former outdoor gay cruising area, and the impressive Hilton building, Hilton Beach is a must-see of Tel Aviv gay life, the perfect place to meet the gay locals and the many tourists. During gay Pride, rainbow flags fly proudly along the (small) beach, DJs play all day long, and every square centimeter is worth gold!
Those who would instead enjoy a quiet gay beach must travel by car to Gaasch Beach, twenty minutes north of Tel Aviv—Wild and very popular with the locals.

Offer Nissim

Offer Nissim, "Offra," as the locals call "her," is the queen of the international gay circuit. As a DJ and producer, he’s the only big name, driving hundreds of gay partygoers to Antwerp, Rio, Madrid, Paris, or New York each time he performs. Arms up in the air with perfect straight hair, Offer Nissim is at home in Tel Aviv, and gay Pride is his moment. He will publish a new album a few days before Pride, like every year. On June 4, he will perform at Bloomfield Stadium for a giant outdoor party. It’s this year’s biggest Pride event.

Food

Photo © Dana Friedlander for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism

Tel Aviv is a haven for foodies! The city is at the crossroads between the West and the East, creating a unique gourmet culture. Tel Aviv is a street food paradise (hummus, falafel, Sabih), symbolized by the success of Miznon restaurant. You can find fantastic seafood restaurants (Goocha), places with Asian influence (Giraffe), French influence (The Brasserie), gourmet dinner (Bindella, Raphael), sea views (Manta Ray), excellent mezze (The Old Man and The Sea), breakfast at any hour (Benedict), dream sandwiches (Café Abima), you name it all! Tel Aviv is also the world mecca of vegan restaurants.

Tours and visits

Photo © OutStanding Travel

Since you’re already in Tel Aviv, enjoy a day trip to discover some wonders of the Middle East. An hour away, Jerusalem and its ancient history will take your breath away. Push a little further West to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, about 430 meters below sea level. Book a night there and enjoy the virtues of the precious minerals of this salt lake, in which you will float effortlessly. Do you have a little more time? Extend your trip to Eilat on the Red Sea, Petra in Jordan, or the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.
If you will stay in Tel Aviv only, visit the old city of Jaffa, the Carmel Market, the Bauhaus district, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Gay Clubbing

The 10-day program of Tel Aviv gay pride is loaded with dozens of events. Techno, house, pop, or R & B parties; muscle queens, bears, lesbians, twinks, or queers; bars, clubs, beach parties, water park, or sauna parties; there is something for everyone. Expect wild nights at Tel Aviv’s main gay spots like Evita, Shpagat, or Apolo. The biggest names of Tel Aviv gay night compete with their biggest events of the year: Beef, Papa, Forever, Pag, FFF Shirazi, and Dreck ... A single pass, the Pride Pass, provides access to all major events.

Sports!

Yes, Tel Aviv is the city that never sleeps. It is also the city where everybody does sports! The sea promenade is well-equipped for joggers, skaters, and cyclists. The hunks you admire on Hilton Beach were not born this way; they work hard for it! Some gyms offer timely access to tourists, including the very gay Holmes Place gym at the Dizengoff Center.

The Boys

Photo © Etan Bernat

Dark eyes, jet-black hair, amber skin, firm and hairy chest... The image of the Eliad Cohen-like masculine gay Israeli nurtures gay fantasies worldwide. Let your eyes judge for themselves when on Hilton gay beach! In any case, it will be straightforward to connect with the Tel Avivians. They are very easy-going, have no attitude, and are quite charming.

Will you miss Tel Aviv gay pride in 2016? Enjoy the city later in the year: in Tel Aviv, "the White City," summer never really ends.