The unwritten rules of Ballenby, after way too many nights there

Ballenby is called "Israel's home of karaoke" — and it's not just a slogan. I've been there a lot, and every time it reminds me why.

The bar sits at Allenby 35 in Tel Aviv, and if you check Google you'll see it holds a 4.5 rating across more than 170 reviews — which absolutely tracks once you're inside. It's also one of the most fun places in the city to celebrate a birthday: the vibe is warm, the staff plays along, and the crowd around you will celebrate with you even if they don't know you. And for anyone who's not there just to sing — the draft beer selection is genuinely well done, clearly labeled by style, and enough of a reason on its own to grab a seat at the bar.

First things first, tip number one: book a table in advance. If you're planning to come on a Thursday — the peak night at Ballenby — this isn't a recommendation, it's mandatory. A day ahead is the minimum.

Doors open at 20:00 and the place stays open into the small hours — on Saturday nights it really doesn't rush to close, and you can find yourself still there around 5:00 in the morning. Here's what most people don't realize: your arrival time defines your experience. At 20:00 the place is still empty, which is actually amazing if you want the stage almost to yourself — you can basically sing a song every five minutes. By 21:00 it starts filling up and you'll sing about every half hour. By 22:00 it's packed, and your turn comes around once an hour. And at 23:00? Consider it a win if you even get to hold a mic.

One beautiful thing they do: newcomers get priority in the queue, even if you've been waiting an hour. That's not just generosity — that's exactly what makes Ballenby a place that welcomes new people into the circle, not just regulars.

There's no cover charge, but there is a 50 shekel per-person minimum spend — plan for that. And the cocktail actually worth ordering is the Jack Sparrow — the most talked-about drink there, and rightly so.

One waiter worth knowing by name: Ofek. He remembers names, and that's the little detail that turns a bar into a community.

As for what people sing — everything. Truly everything. Heavy metal, Disney princess songs, Mizrahi (Middle-Eastern-Israeli music) — zero judgment, just the mic and the queue. If you arrive early, on a good night you can fit in three to four songs.

My tip? Come loose. Compliment someone on their singing — it's the easiest way I've found to actually start a real conversation with a total stranger. Most of the time it ends in a new friend, not just another song.