In this sun-and-fun resort the crowds move from beach to bar, disco, or club after the sun goes down. The Government Tourist Information Office's weekly bulletin, Events in Eilat, available for free at the tourist office, will let you know what's happening where.
Several of the major hotels have nightclubs, piano bars, and discos. These are some of the liveliest places in town, patronized by international tourists, Israelis, and native Eilatis alike. Of the discos, Platinum, in the King Solomon's Palace Hotel, is popular, with spectacular laser and sound effects; Ha-Nesiha, at the Princess Hotel just before the Taba border, runs a close second. Cover charges at these top hotel discos run NIS 45 to NIS 63 ($10-$14). Best of all for easygoing beach atmosphere and spirit is the Dolphin Reef (tel. 08/637-4292), with its thatched-roof, sand-floor cafe/bar: There's dancing on the beach Monday and Thursday nights, and Friday afternoon/evening. Take bus 15; cover charge is NIS 25 ($5.50). The New Tourist Center and the North Beach Waterfront Promenade also have a lot going on in the evening, with numerous pubs and indoor/outdoor cafes humming with activity. The Three Monkeys on the Promenade near the Royal Beach Hotel is Eilat's biggest, busiest, and trendiest spot for drinking and dancing, with live music every night, a dual-level indoor area, an outdoor section beside the water, and an international crowd, largely in the 25-to-30 age range. It opens every night at 9pm, gets busy toward midnight, and has a dress code: no shorts or flip-flops, and neat (preferably informal but stylish) clothing. For dining and dancing cruises with live music and stars or moonlight, call Eilat Cruises (tel. 08/633-3351) at the Marina, or Red Sea Sports Club (tel. 08/637-9685) at King's Warf. Prices start at about NIS 100 ($22).
Various Israeli folklore evenings are sponsored by the big hotels, usually beginning about 9:30pm several nights a week. Music for dancing, or a disco, often follows the performance. The fee (usually about NIS 23-NIS 32/$5-$7) includes a first drink, or perhaps wine and cheese. Kibbutz Elot, 5km (3 miles) north of Eilat, offers Saturday evening performances of Israeli Folk Dancing and Song. The price, including transportation and a kibbutz-style buffet dinner is NIS 150 ($33). Desert Shade Tours (tel. 08/633-5377), offers a Saturday night Bedouin Tent Dinner, with traditional music, food, and hospitality. The price, including transportation, is NIS 145 ($32).
The Cinémathèque Club screens films in English at the Philip Murray Cultural Center (tel. 08/633-2257), at the corner of Hatmarim Boulevard and Hativat Ha-Negev. Regular starting time seems to be around 9pm; admission is charged. The major hotels show films and videos about excursions in the Eilat area as well. Check the tourist office's Events in Eilat for details.
