Breakfast Club: the dance-bar (review)

Jerusalem Post, Billboard; Friday, February 17, 2006

It's hard to know whether or not Breakfast Club was named after the John Hughes' 1980s coming-of-age cult classic starring Molly Ringwald and Emilio Esteves. One of the owners, a bartender with lots of colorful tattoos on his arms and who resembles the Judd Nelson character, said Breakfast (the shorthand name used by Israelis) doesn't care for or want publicity. In any case, the loud tracks of the DJ made conversation too difficult.

Perhaps this exclusivity is what makes Breakfast one of Tel Aviv's hot spots - a place where the city's 'brat pack' can feel at home. This dance-bar is as 'Tel Aviv' as they come - it boasts a good-looking crowd of trendy locals who like to smoke and pretend they live in Europe; the regular 'celeb' clientele; esoteric electronic music blasting through the speakers; and snobby selection. The owners' arrogant air demonstrates that when it comes to nightlife, they're the branja - the underground clique you can hear about only by being in the right circles. It is notorious for filling up only around 2 a.m.

The dance bar is underground, literally, so claustrophobics beware. Once you pass selection (which according to the selector is based on seniority and not beauty - yeah right), stairs lead you down to a black basement with a mini dance floor surrounded by tables and dark enclaves which are perfect for making out - not an uncommon site at Breakfast.

There is hardly any lighting on the dance floor; rather, the club is illuminated by black and white flix screened on a string of television sets hanging over the long bar at the end of the club. Black and white pix of historical figures plaster the walls behind the bar, as if to suggest that they are part of the exclusive Breakfast crowd.

But while it has its fair share of poza, Breakfast also has a loose, fun-loving, 'anything goes' vibe, where you can get plastered and dance without care, make out with more than one person in the same night, and pick up or be picked up without too many questions asked. After all, it's just a place to have some rebellious fun, just like the teens did during their infamous day in detention in the movie of the same name.

Rothschild 6
Music: Electronic genres and sub-genres
Hours: Usually from midnight
No cover